2012 Kia Optima Sedan - Consumer Reviews

Good in some aspects, still lacking in a lot more

Vehicle

2012 Kia Optima Sedan SX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

Review

Traded my '09 TSX for a '12 Optima SX. While there are tons of nice standard features, like the heated and cooled seats, the turbo, the push button start and the panoramic sunroof, it's easy to tell the trade-offs Kia sacrificed to appease the value conscious consumer. If you're a true car person who pays attention to details and spends a decent amount of time in the car, spend a little more and get a car from a manufacturer who figures out the details. The car has great power. It will go when you want it to. The tires are the weak point and you find that out with wet pavement. The mileage is less than what mfr states on the sticker and on the "ave mpg" show in the dash.
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A good buy with a few flaws

Vehicle

2012 Kia Optima Sedan LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)

Review

I bought a new 2012 Kia Optima LX in Snow White Pearl back in May 2012. Originally I had an issue with the driver's seat not being very comfortable. (I didn't notice this in the short test drive.) In the 9 months I've owned it, my butt seems to have gotten used to it. The acceleration is great! So good that if the roads are slick, I have to put it in ECO mode so the tires don't slip. This may also says something about the OEM Nexen tires. I haven't been driving much so far- only 4700 miles. (Try to walk/bike as much as I can). MPG per tank is 22-27 with an avg 24.5 . As expected, mileage is lower in the cold winter months. No long trips yet - can't wait to see what I'll get then!
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A very nice driving experience!

Vehicle

2012 Kia Optima Sedan LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6M)

Review

I would like to reply to all those customers who are complaining about the Fuel economy of the Optima. I just bought a new 2013 Optima LX and after reading your peeves about MPG I am flummoxed as to whether or not we are driving the same model. First off, I am approaching 7000 miles and I have averaged 30 MPG. No, I do not only drive on a traffic free highway, for I happen to live in California. Also, if you have the LX or EX model in a 2.4 Litre and you complain about getting under 20 MPG there is something specifically wrong with your driving style and habits. Fuel economy relies where and how you drive. What matters is how smoothly and how often you depress the accelerator.
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Bad engine- Gas HOG! :(

Vehicle

2012 Kia Optima Sedan LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)

Review

I bought my Optima in the fall of 2012. It has had engine work done 3 times. Kia refused to take the car back. Full engine was replaced on third trip in... Great looking car- but gas mileage is WAYYY lower then advertised. I got rid of my SUV to save money on gas. I'm now getting the same if not less mpg with this car. If I do not keep "ECO" option on I actually have gotten as low as just over 11 mpg. HORRIBLE. Not even a turbo... Can't say I'd recommend a Kia to anyone I know.
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You get what you pay for

Vehicle

2012 Kia Optima Sedan EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)

Review

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 driver's 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.
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Good car good mpg

Vehicle

2012 Kia Optima Sedan LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)

Review

A great looking car with good mpg, lots of standard features, fairly good ride, average 31.7 mpg so far, 30% city 70% hwy driving. Nexen tires are average at best
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GOOD CAR AND MPG

Vehicle

2012 Kia Optima Sedan LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)

Review

Had the optima 1 month, have put on a 1000 miles, has total of 21432 miles now. comfort fairly good, I am 6'2. I think the car looks great. Can fit 4 adults, 5 would be a tight fit. A lot of talk about poor mpg. I drive 40 miles a day. 30 miles on hwy and 10 a day in the city(Lawrence, Ks.)I average 32 mpg so far. So no complaints here,,,...
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Wish I Wouldn't Have Leased So I could Sell It!

Vehicle

2012 Kia Optima Sedan SX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

Review

If I had bought this car I could sell it & cut my losses on gas. Most everything is great about my 2013 Optima SXL 2.0 Turbo except that I average 16 mpg. No I don't drive it hard or fast. I get better mpg in my Chevy HD2500 4x4, 4gr, long bed diesel. If I was getting the advertised 22 mpg city I'd be happier. I hope there is such a thing a a break-in period to get the advertised mpg. I'd rather have my gutless 1.8L Toyota Matrix that gets great gas mileage at this point in time. The low ratings are all about the mpg.
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Decent car for the Money - Wish MPG was better

Vehicle

2012 Kia Optima Sedan EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)

Review

Leased car in April 2012. Wanted to give the car a few months of driving before writing a review. Rides and handles great. Great tech options. Build quaility is what you would expect in the price range - It's a 21,000 car(25,800 list) - that being said, you can tell where they cut back. Door handles are one example. As far as the stated MPG, have put 11,000 miles of combined driving, never have gotten above 23-24 mpg. Long highway trips (with cruise) 31-32 mpg. Eco or not does not matter. The dealer does know, they said, nothing they can do. Kia corporate only wants to "talk about it". I bet - now that they are giving fuel credits to some owners of other models.
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Love Love Love

Vehicle

2012 Kia Optima Sedan LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)

Review

I've had this car (used) for nearly 3 months and I'm having a love affair! I drive almost 70 miles round trip a day and I average 36-38 hwy mpg (32 mpg overall). Anyone who says they get lower milage needs to press their "Eco" button and set their cruise control. My neighbor bought an Accord about the same time and while he gets a few more mpg, no one turns their head when he pulls into the parking lot at work. Speaking of work, we get 4 adults into my Optima when we go to lunch and no one complains about room (also can't be said for his Accord).
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