Overview & Reviews

The Optima gets several revisions for its third year on the market. Most obvious is its new front-end styling, which replaces the Optima's reserved countenance with a more upscale European look -- double light clusters call to mind the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Other changes include new wheel designs, and inside, a new center stack, new door panels and fresh seat fabric. A manual transmission will no longer be available on the four-cylinder SE model; all automatic four-cylinder models will offer Sportmatic manual-shift capability. The LX model now comes with cruise control and a CD player (at the expense of the cassette deck). The SE will include automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Homelink and Infinity speakers; a wood- and leather-trimmed steering wheel is now part of the Leather Package. Lastly, engine horsepower ratings have been lowered following parent-company Hyundai's announcement that it had misstated outputs (the Optima is a corporate twin of the Sonata), but the engines themselves are unchanged.

• Excellent warranty, pleasant highway ride, lots of bang for your family sedan buck.

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 63.00

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  Not a bad car. - 2003 Kia Optima
  By Greg McGhee - July 10 - 10:00 am

  My Kia is a great car. I use it to drive 40 miles to work and back 5 days a week. The only problem I have had was when a sensor went out. I believe it was a recall. The dealer took care of the problem quick. It handles better than I ever imagined a Kia would. I would change to front grill of the 2004 back to the 2003 style. It gives the appearance of a more expensive luxury car. Not what you would expect from a Kia. I am planning to trade it in on the new Amanti in a couple of years. Who knows, there may be a Kia in my garage for a while to come.

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  I love my Kia Optima - 2003 Kia Optima
  By Kristie - May 25 - 5:03 am

  The Kia Optima has been the best car I have ever had. It drives really nice and it is a comfortable car. Very sporty looking.

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  Just bought my Optima - 2003 Kia Optima
  By Bubba and Buster - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Have been looking for two months at other makes (Ford, Hyundai, Honda, Mitsubishi). I was getting frustrated because the other makes with the features I wanted were TOO expensive. I hadnt even thought to look at KIA. We were passing by the KIA dealership and decided to stop by to browse. WOW..I found just the car with all the features I wanted and a price I could afford. I would recommend anyone who is looking for a well equipted car at a reasonable price to check out the KIA, and the warranty cant be beat.

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  Very Impressed - 2003 Kia Optima
  By shorerider - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I think this is a great car for anyone who was, like me, wanting to get into a Honda Accord. The handling is superb, it rides like a luxury car, but for a lot less. Plus, it comes with great creature features. Its defnintely a comporable car to the big boys!

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  Optima has been a good car - 2003 Kia Optima
  By wsm - January 23 - 4:10 pm

  We bought our 2003 Optima just after getting married in 2003. We werent particularly looking for a Kia but due to the rebates Kia was giving at the time we settled on the Kia because it had superior options and a price we could afford. After 7 years of ownership we are ready to upgrade though and unfortunately wont be buying another Kia. Heres why: Cons: we paid 18000 for the car and today we can get about $3500 if were lucky. Depreciation on this car is terrible. Belt squeals nonstop and dealers cant figure out problem. Always had transmission troubles that again dealer cant fix. Pros: Super reliable, fuel system problem at 30000 miles and door problem at 120000 but otherwise Reliable!

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  2003 best buy! - 2003 Kia Optima
  By jackdempsey - December 26 - 10:00 am

  For the money you spend, its well worth it. Got an LX, 4 cyl auto for 13.5K out the door. Real deal for a car this good. Still loving it after 5k miles.

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  Nice Front-Poor rear design - 2003 Kia Optima
  By Optimized - December 26 - 10:00 am

  The rear end has a lip that extends out from the trunk. While it looks ok, we only had 2500 miles on it before a hotel luggage handler used it to lay our luggage on it and then proceeded to push suitcase in the trunk. It resulted in a few scratches and a major chip of paint taken off. It should be redesigned to be more flush with the trunk . Load your own luggage, golf clubs to avoid damage.

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  Great for the money - 2003 Kia Optima
  By Btnfly30 - December 12 - 9:50 am

  For the money I could not do better. Comfortable, reliable and stylish for 12,000 dollars.

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  VERY HAPPY - 2003 Kia Optima
  By chiselstone - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I have had noting but fun since i have gotten it. The car purrs and hada a great sound when you punch it. I have a Blast driving it. Friends always want me to to let them drive it. For the Price I dont think any car compares. I got mine with every option.

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  A great value... - 2003 Kia Optima
  By bulldog485 - October 18 - 2:00 am

  We decided to look at the Kia Optima along with everything from the Olds Alero, Toyota Camery, Ford Taurus and a whole slew of others. The Kia Optima SE V6 won hands down for both the price, the features that came standard and the warranty. The same car in a Toyota Camery would cost about $5,000 more and I liked the exterior lines of the Optima. With four months and 7,000 miles on the clock, we are still happy with our purchase and I fully plan to have the car past its warranty. My personal goal is to have this car past 150,000 miles and from what I see so far, I will... Good car for the money.