Overview & Reviews
A face-lift for 2009 makes the Kia Optima slightly longer and more aggressive, while a new SX trim level lends a sporty flair with blackout accents and 17-inch alloy wheels. In addition to the visual tweaks, the Optima gains some muscle: the 2.4-liter inline-4 now makes 175 horsepower while the V6 puts out 194 ponies. Inside, the Optima has a new base audio system with satellite radio and a newly available navigation system. Last, standard safety equipment grows as antilock brakes and stability control become standard across the board.
- Excellent crash scores, plenty of standard features at a low price, spacious backseat, generous warranty, surprisingly involving to drive around town.
- V6 offers little advantage over the more efficient inline-4, automatic sometimes slow to downshift.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 49.00-
traded down from a Sorento - 2009 Kia Optima
By Shanna - July 31 - 10:26 pmBought car 3 wks ago after buying a Sorento I had 8 wks. This car was suggested by dealership. I highway miles a day so Im a bit dissapointed. My kids are a bit tight w/ 2 boosters & a 13 yr old in back, but its doable and he can buckle ok. The side mirrors are rectangular & takes getting use to, dont feel like I always get good coverage. Powers good & handles huge daily hill ok. The material is CHEAP & pills (balls up on seats). Ill be investing in seat covers! Got silver & it hides dirt well, looks sharp. Happy w/ purchase, wish I had electric seats/sunroof but was upside down & couldnt afford more. overall I dig it.
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Optima was our clear choice - 2009 Kia Optima
By MSgt Ken - May 22 - 6:30 pmVery very nice midsize sedan. I was looking to replace my wifes car and the Optima was the clear winner. We looked at Camry, Malibu, Elantra & Accord and the Optima was the winner based on features, styling and price. The $5000 mark down we got really helped. The Metallic Bronze is a head turner in the sun and we like the interior and exterior styling. We also have a Borrego and Kia has done their homework; clean conservative styling and nice standard features. Great basic features, great styling, very roomy cabin and a great value. We would highly recommend the Optima for "The family 4 door sedan".
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Great value! - 2009 Kia Optima
By Smarty - July 21 - 2:50 pmOutstanding value. This car has the Convenience Package and is loaded. The quality and feel of the leather seats and interior materials are outstanding. I love to drive this car. I think my friends and family are tired of me telling them how much I enjoy my Kia. Comfortable and smooth ride. Loaded with all the convenience features at an outstanding price with a great warranty. Fun to drive with good power when needed. 4 Cyl is great on gas mileage and ECO mode helps you save even more gas. In cold climate heated mirrors and seats are nice to have. I am a new Kia fan.
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Great Car at a Great Price - 2009 Kia Optima
By p71 - June 24 - 6:16 amI was looking to replace my wifes car and not sure what with. Had a mini van and wanted something with better gas mileage alone with a little more comfort. looked at Subru, Nissan, Honda, Toyota, Chevy and Ford. I am 64" Kia had the most leg room front and back. Great comfort and great pep out of a four cylinder. Nicely equipped in standard options. To early to say how well it will last but I would say it will out last just by the feel of engine tranny (5 speed auto) that this car will out last any American four cylinder out there. 175 hp not bad at all for a 4 banger.
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Good Choice - 2009 Kia Optima
By 1st Time Kia Owner - June 2 - 1:43 pmTraded in a gas hogging Ford Windstar. It served us well for 8 yrs. but it started to have electrical problems at 90K miles. I told the wife that I was going to buy her an import this time because everybody knows they are more reliable, last longer, and you generally get a fair trade in value. I took a long time shopping on the internet and this Kia Optima was by far the best value for the money. As others have stated the standard equip. is very generous. But that was not the main reason I purchased this vehicle. It was safety. Heres a quote from the carconnection.com: " When it comes to crash-test ratings, you wont find many better than that of the Kia Optimas. 10/10 crash test."
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Optima - 2009 Kia Optima
By gojo - April 5 - 6:03 pmI was originaly looking to replace my 2000 Hyundai Accent with a new one, when I came accross the 2009 optima for $500 more. I honestly only drove the Sonata and Optima. The Sonata has a nicer interior, but seems to float down the road more than the Optima and was $2000 more than the New Accent I was originaly looking at. Being strickly a lowest cost for the best milage type of guy I settled on the Optima for $15500. Acording to Edmunds specifications page, this car seems to be right in the hunt with other midsize sedans when it comes to safety, quality and room. Being owned by Hyundai , I felt secure in buying this car, since my last car from them cost $500 for repairs in 100,000 miles.
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KIA Optima needs improvement on transmissions - 2009 Kia Optima
By csaylors - January 25 - 6:43 amI have owned my 2009 KIA Optima for three years now and had to replace the transmission once already and it is in the shop again (not even a year later) with the same problem. I dont know if this is a problem everyone has or if I bought a lemon. The built in Bluetooth had some problems as well. I just had to quit using it. The headrest is not comfortable at all. But it handles well and it is fun to drive. It gets good gas mileage and thats what we needed at the time.
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Best Kia yet - 2009 Kia Optima
By Big John - December 11 - 5:40 amI got tired of buying premium gas required for my Dodge and sought a new car. Having owned a couple of Kia Rios I thought Kia might have a deal in progress. When I spotted the 09 Optima, I was sold. New sleek lines, great price/rebates, 100K warranty, large interior, great acoustics, decent acceleration for a four banger. I began using premium and got 36 miles to a gallon on the highway. I eventually switched to regular and get 34 mpg. The Rios cost 2 grand less and get 37 mpg. Bigger car, more options, excellent gas mileage. I run about 4,000 miles a month and the 2 grand over the Rio was worth every dime. Turns heads everywhere.
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Want Mustang Back - 2009 Kia Optima
By NotHappy - December 6 - 2:13 pmI had a 2007 Mustang for 3 years but after many issues and the warreny being up at that time 11 days. I was thinking of trading..found Kia for another car but ended up buying Kia Optima. The car is very good car over all but the seats are so hard and not comfortable at all. My back hurts after drving the car. I would advise really drving the car for more then a short test drive. I did drive the car 3 times however a really long drive would be better. I try to hurry up and get to where I need to go so I want have to drive the car long. The only plus is the safety/warrenty and the radio is good other then that I wish I never got this car.
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Nice car, give Kia a chance! - 2009 Kia Optima
By Steve - September 9 - 12:00 pmPicked up my LX automatic the very last weekend of Cash for Clunkers, which combined with the $3000 rebate made the car very affordable. Great list of standard equipment, good exterior and interior design, and a killer warranty made this an easy purchase. Ive averaged 25 mpg in mixed city driving and just averaged 31 on a 300 mile road trip. Considering that I traded a 13 mpg SUV, Im loving the savings on gas.
