Overview & Reviews

For 2012, the Kia Optima receives the optional Uvo voice command system on all but the base models and a minor shuffling of features between trim levels and option packages. The front seats have also been slightly reshaped for improved comfort.

• Lengthy warranty.
• Impressive value
• Powerful and fuel-efficient engines
• Good ride/handling balance
• Handsome cabin
• Top crash scores
• Copious features

• Disappointing real-world fuel economy and driving experience for hybrid
• Numb steering.
• Can be tight on headroom

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 111.00

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  Kia Hybrid Premium was a great find - 2012 Kia Optima
  By sii - August 6 - 3:35 am

  What a find! Its a bettery hybrid than the Camry and had more features for the same price as the Sonata. Lithium Polymer battery provides extra power during hard acceleration. The transition from EV battery mode to engine power was smooth unlike in the Sonata or the reviews. My guess is they tweaked the software. Not as sporty as a smaller car or a Mazda, but much better than other hybrids. Though its a hybrid, it feels like a normal fully equiped car except for the quietness and good MPG.

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  Holy Smokes - This is NOT ur Mothers KIA! - 2012 Kia Optima
  By jerryk007 - February 27 - 6:02 pm

  A bit apprehensive at first! After researching and viewing the Hyundai products i.e. Sonata, Elantra & KIA I became convinced that the KIA was amazing! The value for the $$$ was almost unbelievable. Current incentives also played a roll. But after 10 1/2 years with a Nissan Maxima that served me very well at 101K Miles this cars design and finish compared to the Sonata, Camry, Altima & Honda won hands down. The leather interior is the best in class! I am a huge fan and the creature features are just enough! Also ride is very responsive and pretty damn quiet for its cost!

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  it doesnt get much better - 2012 Kia Optima
  By arubin - February 11 - 10:33 am

  I have my Optima ex turbo for a week, I already have driven 425 miles, mixed city and highway.The car is solid, quiet and has a very nice combination of ride and handling.Very comfortable seats front and rear, great sound from the Infinity stereo, and very good controls.So far my gas mileage overall mix is 27,28 mpg.I cant say enough how much I love this car.The only negative is the choice of tires ,Nexens are very bad on wet roads.I hope Kia will realize a car as good a the Optima deserves better performing tires.

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  Excellent Cost / Benefit - 2012 Kia Optima
  By seson - November 3 - 5:30 am

  Researched and compared to the Malibu, Camry, Accord, Altima, etc., and found this to be the best choice for me. Quiet and smooth ride, stunning looks, good interior materials, Bluetooth, USB, 10/10 drive train, 60/60 bumper to bumper (lifetime drive train from the dealer). With what Kia includes even on the LX AT, Ive only added a factory spoiler and window tint. All this for under 20K after rebates..Gas mileage has been 25 around the city and up to 36 on the Hwy. Best of all, its made here in the USA by American workers in Georgia.

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  Good car good mpg - 2012 Kia Optima
  By cde5151 - October 26 - 11:10 pm

  A great looking car with good mpg, lots of standard features, fairly good ride, average 31.7 mpg so far, 30% city 70% hwy driving. Nexen tires are average at best

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  12 SX Turbo - 2012 Kia Optima
  By sxturbo12 - September 3 - 9:24 pm

  I have owned the 12 SX Turbo for about a week now. I just traded in a 10 Dodge Charger SXT 3.5 due to early trans failure :(. it killed me. However, i am LOVING the Optima SX TURBO.. very good MPGs for a turbo engine. I do about 90% city driving and I average about 25.5 MPGs. Going from a charger to an optima is quite a large jump but I couldnt be happier. I am still on my first tank of cause. With the calculations, I should end up with about 415-420 on this tank. I do not drive like a grandma either .. lol.

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  Does Kia really listen to its customers? - 2012 Kia Optima
  By dbenson62 - July 27 - 1:18 am

  I just purchased a 2012 SX Turbo in Corsa Blue. I have already had people pull up next to me and tell me what a beautiful car it is. I love the power, styling, all the controls and more. I had a 07 Impala and the leg room in the back seat was awful. power was sluggish and not many options. I was pleasantly surprised to find plenty of leg room in the Kia along with all the goodies to play with. I only have 175 miles on it so far, just breaking it in so I cant say much about the gas mileage. It is quiet on the road and down the freeway. It is just a fun car to drive. We use to laugh at people that drove Hyundai and Kia, you cant afford a real car? Now we own one and love it! Its rated well

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  Awesome comfortable luxury car great gas - 2012 Kia Optima
  By Daniel Ake - May 6 - 5:31 pm

  I drive Uber and all my riders are surprise by the comfort of the car they say it feels like a Lexus or a Mercedes comfort. I took guys 64 in the back and they were very comfortable with good space. I went from Houston to San Antonio appx 200milines with half a tank. And my two kids love my car i have alot of fun driving it

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  update on my previous review - 2012 Kia Optima
  By arubin - April 2 - 2:25 am

  I am now at 4300 miles on my Kia optima ex turbo and it still a great trill to drive it as it was during my first few weeks of driving the Kia.Furthermore once this car really breaks in and you totally know what to expect on your driving experience, I feel even more confidence when driving at higher speeds.Still very solid and a ride without any rattles no matter how bad the road surface might be.I could not be happier with this car and hope this experience continues.

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  Great Family Car With Lots of Goodies - 2012 Kia Optima
  By nomis68 - February 8 - 10:17 am

  I came to this 2012 Optima from a 2010 Mazdaspeed3. With a new son the Speed3 just wasnt doing it. This Optima is the real deal! The ride is smooth in my opinion and the handling is tight. The cabin looks great in the SX. I love the Infinity sound system, it sounds GREAT for a factory system. The iPod interface works great and the Nav. system is about as good as it gets. The panoramic sunroof is just plain cool. The heated and cooled front seats will come in real handy here in St. Louis. The backseats are almost as comfy as the front ones, back seats being heated is pretty sweet. The style of the exterior is awesome, slick lines, LED taillights, xenon headlights. This car ROCKS!