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 61 through 63 of 63.00

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  Love my Kia - 2003 Kia Optima
  By harris - July 11 - 10:00 am

  Wonderfull Car, would buy again, great dealer, great price, KIAS are great

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  STILL A NICE CAR - 2003 Kia Optima
  By KEITH C. - April 11 - 10:00 am

  After having my new KIA OPTIMA 2003 for over a month, I find it still worth the money. Still enjoy driving the car. Mine is a 4 cyl, so, when driving onto a Dual Highway, the pick up speed is bad. And when you are using your AC, you can really feel the difference in pickup (not good). But all in all, the car is still worth what you pay for it. Just remember, if you want a car that has a good take off onto a dual highway, for passing, or running your AC and doing the above,you should go with a 6 cyl. But if I had to do over again, I would still buy the 2003 KIA OPTIMA "BUT" I would get a 6 cyl.

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  Life saver - 2003 Kia Optima
  By tpp16 - February 20 - 10:00 am

  My Kia was my first car after turning 16. I liked he car a lot and it was very practical as a first car. The thing I will remember most is that this car saved my life. I totaled it through a light pole and into the trees at about 70 mph. I made out without a scratch because of the incredible safety of this car. I had heard that Kias has low crash test ratings but this car proved them wrong by saving my life.