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 41 through 50 of 63.00

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  Love IT. - 2003 Kia Optima
  By l24k2g - December 19 - 10:00 am

  I went to kia not expecting much. I spend 80% of my day in my car and I have found that I enjoy driving in my kia more that I did my mazda 626. the 2.4L engine with the auto trans. is kind of week off the line but picks up pretty quickly. I so far think that it has been worth the money and more.

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  Good Car - 2003 Kia Optima
  By monmoses - October 31 - 4:53 pm

  The car has been a reliable car. At 60k, please remember to have your timing belt replaced as I didnt and could have had major expenses, but fortunately no bent valves. Battery out at 65k miles. New tires at 55k miles. Thats it and now at 83,000 miles. The power locks on the doors stink big time and the drive window sticks.. Trunk auto popup is gone.

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  Pleasant surprise - 2003 Kia Optima
  By W. J. - June 25 - 10:00 am

  Great value for the money---a v-6 sedan for the price of smaller 4 cylinders. Smooth ride, nice fit and finish. turns many heads, and people are very surprised to find out that it is a Kia

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  great car-and i have owned alot - 2003 Kia Optima
  By niklminus4 - January 31 - 10:00 am

  i have owned a subaru outback 1999- 2001,than, nissan ultima,than mazda tribute.i travel alot,live in the mountains-need a good all around,dependable vehicle.the kia is the best.gas mileage great.rides smooth-i have the 4 cylinder,5 speed.rides like a champ.

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  the meaning of the word value - 2003 Kia Optima
  By bradwallace - December 19 - 10:00 am

  The KIA Optima is a fantasticly designed car, the beautiful lines of the vehicle complimented by the reliability of the hyundai sonota frame guarantees the ride of this vehicle to be second to none in its class. Affordability and options all come together with power leather seats as options and an infinity sound system. the front and passenger airbags as well as side airbags keep you feeling safe. sunroof, available v6 or 4cyl. depending on how fast you want to go!

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  Buy american - 2003 Kia Optima
  By thomas frye - August 26 - 7:20 pm

  Had problems with ac, tried to have door locks fixedseveral times never could find problem. In my opion Kia not much help, seems all work should be done at Kia dealers only. Will only buy American only, have owned VW, Toyota

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  Great car - couple small issues - 2003 Kia Optima
  By lowlow - July 26 - 1:13 am

  I love my car. In the 7 years I have had it there has only been a few issues. The alternator went, but that was covered. Same with the switch for my power seat. My biggest issue is with the locks! Had it fixed when the car was 5 yrs old. covered. But now the same issue. When I go to open the door (passenger) all the doors will lock. Now the door will not open at all. The dealer want $360. Guess my passengers will have to crawl through the window for now. Over all I have spent $500 in 7 years other than brakes and tires. Still have the original battery even.

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  03 Kia Optima - 2003 Kia Optima
  By Wacko63 - February 23 - 2:00 am

  The Kia Optima is the first car in a long time I have been more than happy to brag about. It has the amenities of cars costing thousands more and the quiet, smooth ride of a larger luxury auto. I have nothing but praise for this car and the dealer who sold it to me. No buyers regrets at all! And dont even get me started on the 10/100 warranty! Where else does anybody have the guts to back up their product with that kind of warranty? You can spend more money on another car than you will at a Kia dealer, but, why would you?

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  Iffy But So Far So Good - 2003 Kia Optima
  By treated right - December 12 - 10:00 am

  purchased Optima LX today and have only 100 miles now on it so my opinion is not strongly formed but i like what i see so far. Dealership treated us right after last 2002 Kia Spectra was a lemon got us in car on great deal. So Far Extremley Happy..time will tell and i hope it tells a good tale!!

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  6 month owner - 2003 Kia Optima
  By ChuckSH - September 5 - 2:00 am

  I went from a 2000 Integra 5 speed manual to my Kia LX V6 auto trans. The Integra was more fun to drive and I miss the gas mileage, but overall, I like the Kia better. The Kia rides better and is much roomier. It was also less expensive and comes equipped with a better waranty. The stereo sound quality between the two is about equal. Power equipment (windows/locks) seem to work better in the Kia. I just hope the car turns out to be as reliable as my Integra.