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 71 through 80 of 111.00

• 

  Fun car to drive - 2012 Kia Optima
  By robert202 - December 30 - 7:02 am

  Pros: Fun to drive with great performance Outstanding appearance inside and out Love the UVO system, especially the back up camera, large interior and trunk for a small car, Cartersville, GA. Kia dealer was good to work with and treated us well. Good value. Cons: Seat cushion could use more padding, becomes uncomfortable after 2 hours of driving, gas mileage overstated my best is 30 MPG but average 27 - could be my foot in the Turbo, road noise on rough roads transmits into the interior excessively. Bought the car in December 2011 it now has over 9K miles on it. All in all, Im happy with the purchase.

• 

  No issues after 3.5 years and 74k miles - 2012 Kia Optima
  By Tracy Payne - December 14 - 12:05 pm

  This has been an excellent car. There have been no repairs required and fuel economy is 32-34 mpg for highway. OEM tires were poor, but replaced with Michelins and car drives and handles well.

• 

  Zero Problems in 50,000 miles of driving! - 2012 Kia Optima
  By heyguy - December 2 - 12:09 am

  My wife and I both drive Optima Hybrids and we both traded in Lexus for these cars. While not luxury laden like our old cars (and we do miss the wood, quality leather, and quieter drive, our cars have almost all the bells and whistles and have performed flawlessly for 2+ years and combined 50,000+ miles of driving. Love the 6 speed shiftable transmission, great radio, and heated and cooled seats. Love to the 35-40 mpg we get on long drives!

• 

  Another satisfied customer - 2012 Kia Optima
  By hopleaf - August 3 - 8:07 pm

  Im coming from an Infiniti G35x and I couldnt be happier with the overall package the Optima offers. The features, style, performance, and value is unbeatable.

• 

  You get what you pay for - 2012 Kia Optima
  By giantsfan58 - July 14 - 7:29 am

  I bought a fully loaded 2012 Optima EX in Feb. 2012. I noticed soon after buying it that the leg room is very tight. My leg was constantly jammed up against the speaker in the drivers door. The seats are sharply molded and hard. The transmission went out at 13,000 miles. Recently, I noticed an issue with the steering. While driving down the freeway, the car would begin drifting right or left. When you go to correct it, there is a "catch" in the electronic steering. If you do a search for this you will see many others have had this problem. The real world MPG is nowhere near what thet advertise. This car has a ton of bells and whistles and is great looking, but buyer beware.

• 

  Kia Optima 2012 review update - 2012 Kia Optima
  By soxfan99 - July 4 - 4:36 pm

  Wanted to write an updated review on my Kia Optima 2012 EX. As far as the vehicle itself, starting to show wear at 32k miles on the interior and exterior with light use (car is garaged daily). Arm rest is peeling. Carpet on rear deck is discoloring. "Leather" seats are starting to break down. Mileage has not changed or improved still averaging around 23mpg C-H driving. Tires that Kia is equipping the Optima with - horrible. Have the alignment checked (this is a known problem). This Optima has gone out 2 times. So in all not a horrible car, but cheaply made - we are glad its a lease. We will be turning in and not looking back.

• 

  2012 Kia Optima SX - 2012 Kia Optima
  By cdh906 - July 1 - 6:55 am

  I have now had my SX for a little over a month, its a big step up from my 96 Camry. I wanted a fun, reliable car that was comfortable with luxury amenities that could handle my 90 mi round trip commute, yet was fun. I looked at Audi A3 (D), Ford Fusion, Focus, VW Golf (D) and decided the best bang for my buck was the Kia Optima. I got leather, fun, outstanding warranty, great design, all the fancy features I wanted, none of the add ons I didnt want. I paid $29,200 out the door for a white 2012 Kia Optima with Touring and Premium Package (no nav), I talked them down by using email, it helped a lot rather than on the phone or in person, allowed me time to choose words carefully.

• 

  Terrible - Upset - 2012 Kia Optima
  By Brandon - February 28 - 4:03 pm

  I bought my 2012 Kia Optima SX in October of 2014 with 42,000 miles. Now...November of 2015, I hit 63,000 miles and the engine just blew on the expressway. No Kia warranty as it expired, relying on a 3rd party warranty group. I provided the warranty company with all my service, oil change and maint records. Its taking a while to get updates. Future Kia buyers, ensure you do ample research and read owner reviews. I will never buy Kia again due to the fact that my model was very well maintained with Kia service dept and general car owner maintenance duties. I have friends who own Kia model between 2012-2014 and they to have had engine blew... One model Being Kia Soul. Very disappointed.

• 

  Do Not Buy, stick with Toyota - 2012 Kia Optima
  By Sad - January 27 - 3:00 pm

  I bought this car to Have the Benefits of the Hybrid, but I also liked and preferred the sporty style over the Camry ( have been a Toyota guy and got off that wagon to get a sporty, more fuel efficient Hybrid....I have regretted it ever since). As far as I know, 2012 was the first year Kia did the Hybrid, and with anything new, there are going to be flaws. I should have done more research prior. I bought this 2012 Hybrid with 64,000 miles. Before I even got my plates, the transmission started skipping. I took it to the dealer here in SLC, UT and the dealer could not diagnose the problem for 3 days. You would think something this messed up would not be blamed on the driver - especially at only 66,000 miles. The dealer had to call the main factory in CA, and after a few more days it was determined that the transmission was messed up due to the fact that it was a Hybrid, it was not engaging correctly with the engine. This was a $3500 fix. Here is where it would be nice for a manufacturer to step up, admit their flaws and faults and fix the problem - not charging the consumer. Too many times manufactures try to duplicate their competition and in so doing have to figure out the kinks and problems - like every manufacturer does...the problem here is Kia expects the consumers to not only tell them what is wrong (by bringing the car into the dealer to get fixed), but they expect the consumer to pay for it as well. Kia is basically getting their research paid for by consumers so that the next year they can fix the flaws and have a better car...this seems messed up and backwards to me. I would have been loyal for life if Kia would have accepted responsibility and resolved the issue. They need to have a recall on the transmissions for the 2012 Hybrids, but unless something kills someone in todays society, no one admits to anything. Again, I should have done more research, I thought that I would not have any problems with a car that only had 66,000 miles. I will never own or trust Kia again, I will stick to Toyota.

• 

  My Kia Stinks - 2012 Kia Optima
  By sylus - January 19 - 9:12 pm

  We bought a 2012 ex turbo in April 2012. from week one we could smell mold in the car. After typing in my kia smells into google it appears this is a know issue on models across the Kia range from 2011. Six months later we still cant get Kia to admit the mold problem and we are stuck with the car despite several attempts to recify it. Incredibly dissapointed in the car, getting mold into our lungs and Kias response. No good having a warranty for 7 years if its in the workshop all the time.