2004 Kia Optima Consumer Reviews
Fuel Economy
21 - 23 mpg
Recent Consumer Reviews
(128 Total Reviews)
Great car BUT.........
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
Review
I bought an 04' Kia Optima EX 4 cyl. from a used car dealer in August of last year. This a GREAT car! I've been told it looks like from far away a Jag so I call it my Kia-Jag. Interior is great, power everything,leather, fog lights, wood grain, 6 speaker Infinity Sound system with a sunroof but I dont like the gas mileage. For a Kia I was thinking it was gonna be better but I should have done more research. 17/ city 23/highway was not what I was looking for, but hey you get what you pay for. Hope this was helpful
Favorite Features
Fog lights makes this car look more attractive so I've been told. Sunroof, Infinity Sound System
Suggested Improvements
Better gas mileage
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Best car I've ever owned
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Bought this car in 2006 with 18K miles, now (2009) just went over 70K miles. Hands-down the best car I've ever owned. I track gas mileage every fill-up and have averaged 27mpg combined city/hwy driving. Car has been very reliable though I did make sure to preemptively change my timing belt at 50K miles just to be safe! Car is comfortable, handles great, very strong for a 4cyl and looks great. Would definitely buy another Optima without hesitation!
Favorite Features
Reliability, surprisingly good fuel mileage, stylish looks.
Suggested Improvements
Some interior components are perhaps a little cheaply made, but otherwise there's little to dislike about this car.
2 out 2 people found this review helpful
Optima
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought my Optima with about 52000 miles. Overall, it is pretty reliable and fuel economy is good, however it could be better. So far the only things I had to replace are the power steering hose, batteries and the lightbulb in the headlight. At times when I start my car, the cars stalls and takes a couple of seconds to start going.
Favorite Features
None
Suggested Improvements
Quality of paint and components and more horsepower
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
This is a no go!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 3 | Fun-to-Drive: | 4 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought this 2004 4 banger in 2007 with 33,000 miles. I expect problems (serious) around what? 100K at the lowest. coil pack went out at 55,000. Gas filter something out at 63,000. Ok those are small things. But here's the big thing. I have only 74,000 miles on it and the engine roars at you like the tranny is going. I depend on this car. I need a car. I still owe 6100 on it and it is about to flop out on me i can tell that tranny is going! This car really sucks. I treated it well. Put lots of miles on it quickly, but drove it slow never raced it and still it causes to many problems and way to much stress! Way too Much
Favorite Features
I like the sticks that point out to how fast your going at night they glow beautiful...
Suggested Improvements
I read reports before on here about this car and there were all sorts of complaints what happened to them? seems to me that kia is trying to hide something because all i see rating wise is 8/9/10 not what i say a while back when ratings were at 4..5...6
1 out 2 people found this review helpful
The headlamps
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
Review
The 2004 Optima has an issue with the headlamp lenses. It is sort of a cataract on the lens itself. After a while you will not pass an inspection As I found out and too late they refused to warranty this item since it is there problem, the dealer strung me along to come back and replaced light bulbs. SO that I would have to pay for new lamps Check your Kias and get it done before the warranty is out. I Like the Kia , but do to the poor quality of service networks I will trade for a better brand name next time.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
2004 Kia Optima LX
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 4 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I purchased the car used with 59K miles. I now have 63K miles and have already had to replace the power steering hose ($200 +) and now the power door locks are messed up and literally lock me in the car. I have had to climb out the window, this might be ok if I were Bo Duke. It does have a smooth ride. Sometimes when I first start the car it will stall or take a second to get going, sorta like it's not getting gas. The car looks pretty but looks can be deceiving. Don't buy. Run away.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
Improve quality of vehicle.
1 out 3 people found this review helpful
The optima is a race machine
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
Review
It is a awesome car, but minor problems are going wrong. I commute 65 miles a day. great gas mileage nice and comfortable. The only problem is , is that my trunk latch broke the other day. Now today my front door on the drivers side wouldn't open from the inside and out. It is a fixable problem. The only thing is I look like a retard going in and out of my car just to drive. I now have a paranoia that the other door will go. Or that my key will break!!!
Favorite Features
The radio
Suggested Improvements
Long lasting locks
2 out 2 people found this review helpful
My Kiallac
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Optima EX V6 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I love this car it still gets good mileage and as far as road trips even my over 6ft tall basketball players don't complain about the ride or the squeeze. They laugh cause I call it my KIA-LLAC. Ride is smooth as any caddy just not as expensive. I found if you keep up your service the car will be good to you......
Favorite Features
Could be confused with a BMW or even some models of Benz's. Till you spot the KIA emblem on the front. LOL
Suggested Improvements
Suspension stabilization.
6 out 6 people found this review helpful
Kia owner for life
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
Review
This is the second Kia I've purchased - first was an '02 Sedona EX that has been so solid, my ex-wife fought for (and got it) in the divorce. I paid around 12K brand new as an '04 left over and have had very few problems. So far after 80K miles all I've done is oil changes, new brake pads, and two new tires (one a side wall puncture). Have not had to used the warranty on this one, but had to in the past on the Sedona (power window, rear wiper motor) and had no hassles in invoking the warranty. Great commuter car that also offers pleanty of interior room. My next car will also be a Kia, but by the way this one's going, that doesn't look like I'll be getting a new one for a while!
Favorite Features
Climate control, better than average audio system, back seat plenty roomy enough for the kids. Even though I didn't want them, mine came with the power moonroof & driver seat - and have had no problems with either.
Suggested Improvements
Real time exterior temp. display would be nice (have to hit a button to check temp.) Would like to have a travel computer/compass - but that's nit- picking considering the value of his car
5 out 6 people found this review helpful
I'm a KIA lover now!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
Review
My car just hit 68,000, besides a few dings (by others!) I have had no problems, just the rotors replaced. This has been a dependable family car, I drive 20 miles to work everyday through snow, ice, rain, and nice days without a problem. I am a very nervous person on the road in the Winter and this car has been great to me! Starting to make some rattles, and steering shake, I am praying this won't be a problem. I hear after 40-50,000 KIA'S are having problems. Anybody out there have any as of yet with this year?
Favorite Features
Smooth ride, pretty car (I have it in blue), love the little features; sunglass holder etc. ha ha. Really happy with it!
Suggested Improvements
Handles need to be painted more?? Not sure why they are both loosing their paint? When going uphill takes awhile for car to shift gears? All KIA dealers closed in area closest for me now is 1 hour away :(
3 out 3 people found this review helpful
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