Overview & Reviews

Kia joins the high-stakes poker game that is the midsize sedan market with the all-new Optima. Available in four- and six-cylinder models and two trim levels, the Optima offers a loaded deck of standard features, including air conditioning, side airbags, four-wheel independent suspension and power windows, locks and mirrors.

• Competitive price, solid build quality, loaded with standard features.

• Unproven newcomer in a tough market, V6 engine feels a bit anemic.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 43.00

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  Great Road Car - 2001 Kia Optima
  By GG - October 9 - 10:00 am

  Great road car. Good power. Had problems with wind noise on the drivers side window. Fuel sender had to be replaced twice. Check engine light came on twice but was due to not having the fuel cap tight. This is a well performing car, especially if you do a lot of long distance driving.

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  Kia CAN be reliable - 2001 Kia Optima
  By Iowa - September 7 - 5:06 am

  I love my 2001 Optima. Ive had it for only a month, and it has 95,000 miles on it. It drives like a Buick, though, and is as reliable as a Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai. I had to have a new timing belt put in it ($500), but that was just a maintenance thing since it looks as though the previous owner had never done it. Its so much fun to drive, though, and all of my neighbors, friends, and family salivate over it saying it looks brand new. I couldnt find a better deal for $5,000 with all the options!

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  Awesome Car - 2001 Kia Optima
  By New Yorker - July 4 - 10:00 am

  I just had my first child and needed a reliable car that was inexpensive but still looked flashy. (I wasnt ready for the mini van) The Kia Optima is it! The V-6 is a blast to drive especially with the porsche designed tiptronic transmission. When I sit in traffic its on automatic, but when i want to feel the road and the engine, I flip over to manual mode. Tne interior is roomy. I am a 62 and i am very comfortable in the ride. WE just drove to Disney from NY and it was a pleasure. When it comes to styling, people cannot take their eyes off of this car. My boss who owns multiple luxury cars belives it looks like a BMW.

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  Kia is a deathtrap. - 2001 Kia Optima
  By Rebecca McCoy - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my optima for 1 1/2 years and ultimately hate it. I am trying to get kia to take it back as a lemon, but of course they dont want to. there have been 5 recalls to date on this model, and one of those recalls almost caused the loss of life to myself and my 5 year old son on the freeway, as the vehicle failed to operated(ie:the crankshaft positioning sensor recall). i am currently experiencing the second failure of this particular recall. I would have been better off to spend the extra money to buy a honda or toyota. Even though this car has the warrenty, you will use it often. If you love your family, buy a different car.

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  Great Car for the Money - 2001 Kia Optima
  By pizzu - January 19 - 10:00 am

  Just purchased the Kia Optima (2001). Would have like a Honda Accord but saved myself about 6 grand by opting for the Kia. Its a lot of car for the money. Looks and feels like a luxury car. I feel I made a great choice. I would like to rate their Service Center as excellent. They took off some minor scratches, did oil change (minor things to get me and my 2001 on the road right away). All in all a very pleasant experience.

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  Great car for the money - 2001 Kia Optima
  By Sal - January 8 - 10:00 am

  I have only had this car a short time, but I am very happy with it. I trade my Audi in on the Optima, and have been surprised by how nice the Kia handles. The Optima has a nice ride, and good design.

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  Great car for the money - 2001 Kia Optima
  By sal - January 8 - 10:00 am

  I have only had this car a short time, but I am very happy with it. I trade my Audi in on the Optima, and have been surprised by how nice the Kia handles. The Optima has a nice ride, and good design.

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  Cant complain - 2001 Kia Optima
  By Erika S. - December 21 - 1:46 pm

  I have owned my Optima for a little over 10 months. There have been a few more little problems than expected, but I just cant part with it! I ran a risk buying it used and paid for it. Maintenance things such as brakes, tune-up, belts, filters, electrical etc. were never replaced. I am currently experiencing a problem with the passenger side-curtain airbag. $1400 replacement probably due to the car possibly having been in an accident at one point. I love this car to death, though. Looks and drives like a true luxury vehicle. I am a college student and it was an amazingly affordable vehicle that attracts a lot of attention at school. 102,700 miles and still running like new!

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  Over 2 years and still going strong - 2001 Kia Optima
  By kiaoptimadriver - December 9 - 2:00 am

  Besides the horrible re-sale and trade- in value, this has been a great car. We have yet to have any real problems out of this car.

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  horrid, horrid, horrid car - 2001 Kia Optima
  By cleo - August 30 - 1:10 am

  nothing but problems from the get go, quite expensive, 3rd set of brakes, alternator, batteries, electrical problems, expensive replacement parts, never ever ever ever ever buy a kia, only car i ever had that came close was a renault