Used 2011 Kia Optima Consumer Reviews
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50k+ and zero issues Lease end with 75k miles
deeper, 07/07/2014
updated 07/08/2016
2011 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Car has shown no wear on leather seats or elsewhere. No squeeks. No issues. My Lexus LS430 had more problems at this mileage and mention this because at 1/2 the price makes Kia Optima a compelling used car buy. Addition: Returned vehicle at 75K miles and still running and looking great. Needed full break work to continue but not unexpected at this mileage. Kia covered small issues beyond warranty period with no hassles and a smile. Service experience by Kia at various dealers matched only by Lexus dealers. I would recommend this car as a used vehicle as it seems to be able to hold up with miles and time.
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EX fully loaded is an awesome car
boneyard1, 09/24/2014
2011 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Currently reviewing the 2011 Optima EX with 66,000 miles. I wouldn't like the car nearly as much with the LX package or even without the tech or premium packages, but when loaded with those options, this is a great ride and tremendous value! Drives great, plenty of power when needed, and great highway gas mileage. I usually only get 24-25mpg when city driving, but easily get over 30mpg on any kind of road trip. I've had no issues mechanically. Love the upgrades that are available on this car and it looks/feels like a car twice its price. Plenty of room in the backseat for adults and also children in car seats.
2011 Kia Optima for sale near you
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- LX SedanMSRP: $4,95094 mi away
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Best Midsize Car for 2011 Update #3
dankocke, 07/26/2011
2011 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Left Pull Issue 90% eliminated by getting new tires. I was very hesistent about going this route as Kia would not offer to do this for me. I've read the discussions on Kia forums and people who changed tires had success. Luckily I was one of them. I went with Yokahama Avid Envigors about $100 each and the fun factor has returned to this car 100 fold. These new tires handle much better, are better in the rain and provide good road feel with a much better pronounced on-center feel. Otherwise, my Optima is performing well. With the sweltering heat my mileage has been between 27 and 29mpg commuting to work and back.
Fun 2 drive
former scoffer, 07/14/2021
2011 Kia Optima EX Turbo 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Bought Optima EX turbo new in 2011, still having fun driving it today in 2021. Thirty miles per gallon but can really haul when stepping on the gas. Great handling and ride. Routine maintenance only for 10 years. Great value, fun to drive, no problem ride.
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great car to own
davey90, 08/18/2013
2011 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
i have a 2011 optima bought it brand new , car runs excellent it has a little over 47k miles on and i enjoy driving on a daily basis ,the mpg is outstanding , i took it from Albany upstate ny to long island and back upstate on a single tank of gas i was surprised . the inside is done very well , i think the front seats are kinda uncomfortable, but the space is great for all passengers , best thing i love about it is it looks so sharp , after a good clean i get compliments often on it appearance. definitely a good buy .
engine light--Vapor leak!!
jm1522, 03/14/2012
2011 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
We bought a brand fresh out of the factory 2011 Optima, which had to be returned to the dealership after 500miles for the engine light. The service department said that the car had a faulty gas cap and make sure that we DO NOT top off at the gas pump. 200miles after the engine light was reset it came back on again. This car has been into the dealership 5times for the engine light, each time the service dept says it is a vapor leak!! If a car has been returned 5times for the same issue, apparently there is a real problem and just turning off the engine light DOES NOT fix the problem.
2011 Kia Optima SX Turbo
Quincy A., 02/11/2020
updated 08/26/2020
2011 Kia Optima SX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
If you’re not willing to take care of a turbocharged car, YOU SHOULDN'T BUY ONE, this will be explained below... There’s a good chance that if you are reading this you are considering buying an SX Turbo or similar, so in this review I will do my best to break down everything you need to know. Starting with aesthetics, this is a very good-looking car from virtually every angle, the tail lights for example have a very cool projecting cylinder set up that shoots light to the tips of the cylinders and illuminates the tail light, the LED headlights have a signature “flicker on” when illuminated which never gets old. The interior of this car is beautiful as well and extremely calming and comforting to spend time in, from stitched leather to soft touch materials, everything feels very nice for the money. The seats are comfortable, even for larger or taller occupants (although they may need to lower the seat a bit to clear the roof). The buttons and switches in the SX are all logically placed and easy to use, except for the heated seat buttons, which from the drivers seat are absolutely impossible to see and interact with, without arching your head and taking your eyes off the road. Visibility in this car is... not great, however if you are an experienced driver you should be able to work around the larger D pillars and small rear window. However, this may be a turn off for new drivers and rightfully so, as there is no backup camera in this vehicle. Next up let’s talk specs and maintenance, this car is QUICK with good amount torque as well, this car will put your head back if you let it, and tends to dip into boost when going up hills, even in ECO mode. But to keep it quick you have to be willing to: “LEARN OR PAY” and by that I mean learn to change your own oil and do little things here and there or be ready to fork over 40-50 some odd dollars for an oil change very 3K miles, although the manual states 5K you would be wise to heed the advice, as this car requires full synthetic oil 5W-20 to function effectively, now, THIS IS IMPORTANT; regardless of which oil you decide to buy and how often you decide to change it, you MUST LET THIS CAR WARM UP AND COOL DOWN. I cannot express this enough, as this step could, and likely will, literally “make or break your SX” because even though you should be using less viscous full synthetic oil, it needs time to circulate through the car, and into the turbo in particular, and likewise in reverse, when you reach your destination let the car “sit” and idle, this will prevent hot spots from vaporizing the oil in the turbo feed line which will cause a build up of particles and deposits, think of it the same way as a blood clot essentially. I know it sounds like a hassle, but if you buy a turbocharged car you have to take care of it, because as mentioned above, if you not willing to take care of a turbocharged car, you shouldn’t buy one. But If you take care of it, it will take care of you, and you can have a lot of fun and make a lot of good memories in this handsome car. UPDATE: My SX is going under the knife for the engine recall today so we will have to wait and see the results that they find.
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good value, but not refined....
jerryjerry, 08/24/2011
2011 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Did the online shopping at Edmunds before I bought this for my son. I've been driving it the last 5 months as well. The power train is not smooth. Shifting is awkward after a few months. Very loud in hwy, wish we had longer test drive on hwy before we bought it. I think they were very aggressive when they stated their gas mileage. I'm getting 3 miles below in Georgia driving. And my son stated it pull to the left as others have experienced.
Awesome Value
moola, 10/26/2011
2011 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I've always thought Japan had a corner on midsize sedans until I drove Optima. I have to say it is the best value for the money. Although the 4 cyl is not as smooth as my Lexus 6, it is just as powerful. The car feels tight and fun to drive. I test drove a bunch of new models, but this one is a winner. P.S. I am in Chicago area and classic Kia in Waukegan is the best. Great dealership IMHO.
Still Fun & Fast!
Gary Honn, 02/19/2018
2011 Kia Optima SX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I purchase this vehicle new back in 2011. I traded in a 2009 G8 GXP with 425 horsepower. The 274 horsepower turbo in this car, although not as powerful, it is still a lot of fun! I put over 92,000 miles on this vehicle, and it still looks like new. There is very little wear on the interior and only the occasional Stone chip in the paint up front. I can still get 35 miles per gallon on the highway and I get around 22 in the city. Over 70 miles an hour the fuel economy drops but I expect that. I've had a few issues with this car common nothing mechanical, and it really only had to change the oil at schedule interval. I thought it a bit risky when I first bought this car, because it was a Kia, but have no regrets! In fact I've been looking at newer vehicles and I'm really not sure how I'm going to part with this vehicle. It has been outstanding and given me many years of enjoyable driving. I have the top-of-the-line SX, with the Technology & Premium Touring packages, and it's still as fun today as it was the day I bought it. My only complaint is the padding in the front seats . When driving long distances, I find myself wishing for a bit more padding, otherwise no issues. The heated and cooled seats are awesome and work great. The navigation is easy to use and with voice activation, it's nearly hands-free. The fact that it works when the vehicle is moving is even more of an enhancement. At 92,000 miles I'm still on my original brakes. This car has met or exceeded all of my expectations!
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Very happy!!!
donnie71281, 04/17/2011
2011 Kia Optima EX Turbo 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I test drove the 2011 Honda Accord EX-L V6 same day and the only reason i gave this car a second look is because of the exterior and the 2.0 turbo engine. As soon as i saw the fit and finish of the interior i was sold. I took the car for the test drive and i was in love. The accord was very nice too, but i didn't fall in love with it like this. The 2.0 turbo is fantastic. Has more horse power than the 5.2L V8 i used to drive. I couldn't be more pleased with this car. Only options i didn't get was Nav. and Moon roof. Put 100 miles on the car today and getting 21 in the city and 33 on freeway. With all the hills in WV i'm more than please. Will update more as time goes on.
Likin' it
bobpdd70, 05/23/2011
2011 Kia Optima SX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Had my Optima SX Turbo for about 6 weeks now and I'm likin' it so far. I didn't buy it to be a luxury car substitute so I'm mindful to not compare it one. It looks great, the power is there and I really enjoy driving it. If I did have one gripe, it would be the tires. I think alot of the issues (left pull and road noise) that are posted in the previous reviews may be tire related. I'll find out in about 35,000 miles when I change mine out.
You can't find me cause I'm out riding in my new car.
johntork, 04/22/2011
2011 Kia Optima EX Turbo 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
So much value and fun. The car is beyond quick. Sporty ride and I have no issues with the steering. I'm 6' 5" and I don't have the seat all the way back. The interior is gorgeous and comfortable. All the gadgets are useful and fun. I get all sorts of comments on the look and style. Can't recommend enough.
Love this Car
couyon, 12/21/2010
2011 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I purchased the EX with premium package. Can't believe everything this car offers for the money I paid. Just went over a 1000 miles and love everything so far. Read the car reviews complaing about the comfort of the seats but I have no complaints so far. True the leather seating is not as plush as some may prefer but it is not uncomfortable. I am 6ft 4in and weigh 275 and this car is very roomy. Car drives great and handling is crisp and precise. Wish the turbo would have come out a month sooner but this car has enough power for daily commuting.
best value
rhamblen, 10/13/2011
2011 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Looks like a car costing thousands more. fit, feel and ride are outstanding. performance is exceptional. Optima has exceeded what I had even hoped for. KIA has a winner..
Nice...But
shortstop6, 05/16/2011
2011 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
8 of 14 people found this review helpful
We purchased this vehicle new...loaded. Looks great but right off not excited about gas mileage. 25 mixed driving and it's on eco. Hopefully you don't wear nice clothes to work because if you do and it's raining you're gonna ruin your slacks or nylons on the frame as you try and step out. It's so far out to the left that you need to look like a carricature to exit without getting a wet and mud stripe on your pants. Also, road noise is deafening and makes my Acura sound like a church at 2am. The brake pedal has an annoying thump every time you take your foot off the pedal which if you let it, will drive you crazy. The road trip we leave on this wed. could send me back to Lexus.
kia bad motors
denise cantrell, 11/06/2015
2011 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
4 of 7 people found this review helpful
I bought a 2011 optima it has 32000 miles on it the motor went out at 80000 miles so kia puts a used motor in it 28th 62000 miles on it that motor went out at 82000 miles now kia tells me that it's my problem that the car is fine and they can't help me or tell me why the motor went out on top of that my car has been down from June 2015 can't find a motor with less than 132000 miles on it or the parts to rebuild it but kia told me they had the parts but when the mechanic couldn't get the parts what do you I wouldn't take a new car from kia even if I didn't have any payments I would wall first very in happy ... Denise Cantrell sc
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Nothing but problems
kjanney, 02/20/2012
2011 Kia Optima EX Turbo 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
4 of 8 people found this review helpful
I was so excited when I puchased my Kia Optima last June. However, that quickly changed. Two weeks after purchase, the turbo blew out while we were on vaction. It took forever to be fixed because parts on a new car were not readily avaiable. Once we got it back, the Turbo blew out AGAIN in less than a month. Not to mention that the alignment has been out since I bought the car. The Turbo hasn't blown out since the 2nd failure, but the alignment continues to be out, even after multiple attempts to fix it. I'm tired of fighting the steering wheel to stay on the road. The car looks slick, and has cool features, but I can't keep this one. Looking for another car.
Love my car
sean_nock1, 08/22/2011
2011 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6M)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
I initially bought a 2010 optima in November of last year. I was happy with it until a month later I saw the 2011 Kia Optima. I fell in love with the vehicle and what really caught my eye is the fact it came in a manual 6 speed. I recently gave in and went back to the same dealership I bought the 2010 to see if I could get a 2011. Thankfully everything worked out and I was able to get it not paying that much more.
Left Pull - Update after talking to Kia
jfogs, 05/12/2011
2011 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
12 of 28 people found this review helpful
So apparently after placing a complaint to Kia I was informed that there is nothing that they can do with regards to the left pull issue. My customer service Rep Randy informed me that "this is the way the car was built" and that there is nothing they could do. So my question was "So you are telling me that the car was built to change lanes by itself creating a danger to me and my family?" Needless to say I really didn't get an answer. IWas considering getting a Kia Sorrento for my wife. I will NEVER buy another Kia product again and am kicking myself for taking a chance on this brand. I was also told to investigate the lemon law. Now that is customer service for you! Kia is laughable.
A nitpicker's review of the few bad things...
race117, 10/13/2011
2011 Kia Optima SX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
6 of 14 people found this review helpful
6mths 6k miles, SX getting 27mpg avg. Outside noises flood the cabin! Try driving this car on hwy in moderate rain & you will know what I'm talking about. The wheel wells have like a pourous industrial felt instead of a plastic liner, look at them before you buy. Drive though smoke/skunk/exhaust and pay the price as smells flood in. Sunroof bug/wind shield rattles (while closed) when you hit bumps. Ride rougher than expected & seats are somewhat uncomfortable. Side view mirrors hold water and fog easily. Windshield has a fogging problem I think is related to the cabin not being sealed well. Gas lock release works poorly. Backs of legs touch car getting out. Great car overall though.
Gas Mileage only 21 mpg!!
west209, 11/25/2011
2011 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
8 of 21 people found this review helpful
When looking for a new car my wife and I were first looking at gas mileage. We like the Optima EX's panoramic sunroof, heated seats, and other aestitics. However, we were disappointed that the gas mileage was between 19-23 mpg, and we commute 40 miles RT. We do not travel fast and mostly drive freeway! After 1000 miles the dealer said it takes longer to break it in "6,000 miles". At just over 6,000 miles we scheduled a full service complaint: they found nothing and directed us to the "KIA Consumer Affairs Dept.". We have NEVER been treated so rude! "Angel" said, "Sorry! Too bad! Don't pay attention to EPA estimated MPG!!" We are stuck with a lemon! The WORSE customer service. Lawsuit!
Bad to the bone.
snowman22, 07/28/2013
2011 Kia Optima Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
My 2011 Kia hybrid is now just a bad memory. The hybrid system is nothing short of dangerous. Push the pedal and it would not go. Lots of fun when pulling into traffic. Jerked,hesitate and just awful to drive. Did I mention unsafe. Also seats as hard as bleachers at the ball park. Just horrible. No padding at all. Last---no resale. The Kia dealer would not even take it in on trade. They can't even get rid of it. They offer the lowest auction price. Dirt bottom. So stay away from these vehicles. You will regret the purchase. Don't believe the bull of---we now have the update fit. Not true---just as bad. These cars are a accident waiting to happen. Just Remember--DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.
Great Car Very Poor Mileage
ischreiber, 06/28/2012
2011 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
I bought this car because I thought it was beautiful and still do. I t comes with great features for the money and is very distinctive. The one big problem I have is the mileage. I get about 17-19 in the city and about 26 on the highway. The estimate they advertise is 24 City 35 Highway. What is particularly disturbing is the response/lack of response from either the dealer or KIA customer service. The dealer did a fuel economy test on the car and came up with combined city/hwy of 22.5 mpg a far cry from the advertised mpg. I am totally frustrated with KIA. I previously owned an accord EXL and will probably go back to them next time I buy.
Awesome design and Fun to Drive
mavic19, 05/11/2011
2011 Kia Optima EX Turbo 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I am absolutely in love with this car. The design is very sporty and draws a lot of attention and compliments. Great interior design and layout. Wood accents are sweet and not overly done. Performance is great. No torque off the bottom, but one she hits 4k she rips. Only thing I don't like is the NEXEN CP671 tires. Gas milage has been consitent at 28mpg after 3 tanks of mixed driving.
5 YEARS VERY LOW MILEAGE
60yrsadriver, 06/26/2016
updated 01/18/2017
2011 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This was supposed to be my last second car. In five years I have put only 17,800 miles on it. In the future I will probably put about the same mileage on this car. I am very satisfied with this car, I have had zero problems with it. Now to my concerns. Kia did not send me a letter of recall about the brake light switch. Sloppy communications. Kia did send me a letter recently stating this cars engine could fail due to bearing problems. In the letter Kia stated they will extend the warranty on the engine. Therefore I researched this problem and a great number of people have had very bad experiences when their engine blew up on the highway. Then Kia gave them the run around about their maintenance records and did a lot of denying of claims. That really affects me since I change my own oil and filters. I am sure Kia is not going to believe a word I say concerning what I have done. Warranty worthless in my case. I have concluded I will have to keep this car and drive it until something happens. Of course there is a possibility I will not have a problem. I gave...MY...car 5 stars based on my experience. Kia would not get even one star based on their performance. I want to do an update, of course I don't know how to start a new section So I will just put the update here: About a month after I posted this review I needed to change my oil. The seal around my oil pan was leaking fairly bad. I went back to the site to reread some of the posts. It became clear, in a number of cases, that the seal leaking preceded the blowing of the engine. I traded my Kia in for a Honda HRV. Does not have all the bells and whistles the Kia had, but...I am not worried about my engine blowing.
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Great Car, even better Value
MN Packer Fan, 08/03/2016
2011 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The Optima EX with the Premium Package has many of the 'bells and whistles' of a luxury car without the price. Great MPG too,..up to 33 MPG on the Highway when taking long trips.
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A lot of car for a amazing price!!!
Quissa, 04/21/2021
2011 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I just recently purchased a used 2011 Kia I rented a 2020 Kia last year and my car holds up just as nice if not better I got one w/ premium packaging and I’m in total shock of how good it rides I made a 12 hour trip to Tennessee firm Minnesota and I’m throughly impressed like frfr!! I’m so freaking happy that I now own my own Kia and I’m Geeked!!!
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Optima is a great car, will minor flaws.
Rotwiler, 01/05/2021
updated 07/12/2023
2011 Kia Optima EX Turbo 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Gets great fuel economy, fairly good materials used, sits low, good sound system, lots of optima. The 2.0 Turbo equipped cars have a lot of power. I have had my 2011 Kia Optima EX-T since 2012/3,000 miles and now have 92,000. Will include everything I repaired since I bought it: brake peddle switch, transmission temp sensor, turbo adjusted, front brakes, one dash speaker, headlight bulbs, battery and front right cv joint and mid shaft on front axle and tires. All repairs over past 8 years came out to about $3,500. Most expensive was the mid shaft and cv joint at around $2,000 with parts and labor. Other than that has been ultra reliable. Gas mileage averages around 24mpg when driving faster than normal, when taking it easy, following all speed limits it gets 32+ mpg on regular fuel. The cars with a Turbo are quicker than most people think, once you get it in the sweet spot, car takes off and surprised you. I also own a 500 horsepower Camaro, so I know how a quicker car feels. The turbo 2.0 will use some oil since it is GDI, so check oil regularly and change every 5k miles or less. What don't I like? All is minor, but, steering pulls a little to the left, closing doors feel is really light, glass top sticks at times and needs help, could use a little more sound deadening and better handling, is fairly dull feel when cornering. Best features: my EX-T model has the upgraded infinity nav sound system, sound great for oem, heated/cooled seats, the Turbos power, fuel economy, lots of features. Been a really reliable car and I bought it used with 3k miles and rebuilt title, so that alone can be bad, but I got lucky. Was already repaired when I bought it. As of 2023 my review remains the same, has been pretty much zero issues in 100k miles. 7/2023 96,000 miles steering coupler is bad, I can repair myself for around $8, makes clunk when turning wheel at stop and very low speeds.
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Awesome little car
SH, 01/04/2020
2011 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The LX was bought brand new in 2011 as my mom's car. She drove it for about 5 years before it was passed down to one of her children, aka me. It's had a few recalls over the years and had a minor issue with the steering wheel clickling when turning, but otherwise it's been a great car! The steering is the right amount of sensitive and I've never had an issue with making tight turns, and I have to make U-turns a lot. There's hardly any blind spots and the driver's seat can be positioned high enough for us short people (5'2") to easily see over the steering wheel and dashboard. The car has handled Midwestern snowstorms and ice without any major issues if you're driving safely. Breaking is pretty sensitive and sometimes I still have to be careful with pressing too hard. Same with the acceleration from a standstill: press too hard too fast and the wheels spin and squeal very easily, even with new tires. The acceleration of the car on highways is still pretty good. The back seat is very roomy for a car of this size and I've had some friends over 6' comment about how roomy it is. The trunk is also very spacious. Overall, I have hardly any complaints about this car. I guarantee with good care it will last at least another 5 years!
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7 months / 14,000 miles
we_will_see, 01/29/2012
2011 Kia Optima EX Turbo 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Have had my Optima EX turbo/loaded for 7 mo. now and have driven over 14,000 miles. Still like this care very much, I live in NE Ohio and it drives great in the snow. Had to drive through a snow storm in Indiana on my way home from Chicago and it handled great on the highway. Love the heated seats and steering wheel, great on those cold mornings. Defrost works fast & well, as does the rear defrost/mirror heaters. Handling & performance are excellent, very sure footed. Transmission is great also. Love the nav/blue tooth/voice activation etc. Every thing is really easy to use. My only complaint would be the stiff seat but heard they fixed in 2012 models. Overall great car!
Champaign for beer price
redswd, 12/25/2010
2011 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Just got a new EX with Premium Pkg in Bronze Metal color. My first Kia after 6 Hyundai's ranging from Elantra to Sonata to Genesis 3.8. Has nearly every option the Genesis had and some it didn't like heated steering wheel and Panoramic Sunroof all wrapped in gorgeous Euro sheet metal for $12K less than a base Genny. Sure the cache' is not Genesis but I'm smiling all the way to the bank and the pump and giving nothing up in comfort and styling. When the turbo comes to market there will be nothing left to ask for!
optima great ride
patrick, 07/23/2018
2011 Kia Optima SX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
bought this car new now has 69000 miles on it just normal maintenance on car the sx with turbo is the way to go
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One of the best I’ve owed
Jennie, 06/11/2018
2011 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I’m loved this car the first time I drove it. Came with a great warranty and always serviced it with the dealer. It’s comfortable in front seat and back. So much space that my friends always like me to drive. And don’t mind because I like to be in control and always get to be in the front seat. I had problems with engine and warranty replace with new engine at82000 miles.
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Best Midsize Car for 2011
dankocke, 04/20/2011
2011 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Ok, so I've owned several dozen cars over the last twenty years....I trade once a year or so. I've had 3 Kias and 2 Hyundais and they have all been terrific cars. This Optima, though, is the cream of the crop. I traded a Lexus ES 350 which the Optima compares to very favorably, especially for the money. There is a difference between bying the EX/SX and the LX in respect to road noise. This one is quieter than my Lexus. I have the nav which is awesome and the interior of the car is just plain great. Gas seems to hover around 27 mpg mixed. Bottom line: quiet like a Camry, but feels like an Accord...which by the way is super noisy at HWY speed. More to come in a few months...
Love my KIA Optima!!
sabz, 03/04/2012
2011 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
It is a great looking car. I get tons of compliments!!! People are always stopping me in parking lots and telling me how nice of a car it is. I love to drive it. However, the other day it would not start. Turns out it had a problem with the brake switch. KIA had it fixed and back to me the same day. Also about 3 months of owning the car, I noticed that the radio screen was scrambled. KIA replaced it under warranty. I would still recommend it!
Road noise and stiff steering, low clearance
artsd1, 03/26/2011
2011 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
4 of 12 people found this review helpful
I bought a 2011 Kia EX loaded, nice car until i drove on expwy. Way too much road noise and stiff steering made my wrist feel fatigue and low clearance of car. At night, headlight beams are too low and not bright and signs cant be read clearly because of low clearance. Since im a retiree, i wanted something i could keep for a few years. I could not keep it long due to ride quality which is more important to me than features. Plus other problems i mentioned made me trade for an Audi q5. What a difference, you get what you pay for. Made mistake and lost some cash but to be happy is more important to me than money. KIA resale value is not good if i keep it over 5yrs
Poor road mileage
ernesto109, 06/16/2013
2011 Kia Optima SX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
We have had this car for two years and took it on the first road trip in January, 2013. We drove 6500 miles to Florida and back to the west coast. The average road mileage for the entire highway portion of the trip was 25.7mpg. We checked each tank and the mileage ranged from 24.3 to 27.4. However, the mileage shown on the car computer showed between four and five miles per gallon better that the actual calculations. The car is rated at 34 mpg, so this was very disappointing. The factory will do nothing about it, even though they have given compensation to other Kia model owners. The dealer we purchased it from will not even acknowledge my complaint letter.
Good Job KIA!
sabz, 10/23/2011
2011 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 10 people found this review helpful
Wow! Cannot believe the new Optimas comfort level, performance, and reliability. We traded our 04' Sedona in for this new 11' optima and am REALLY impressed with what an overall good reliable family sedan this is! Have taken 2 pretty long road trips so far in this and have put on nearly 10,000miles since purchased in December of '10. Has plenty of room for the kids in the back. Has no problem acceleration to speed while merging on to the highway, while being packed with a whole trunk of suitcases and 2 teenage kids in the back!
Gas Guzzler
vatili1, 04/24/2011
2011 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 11 people found this review helpful
I drove the 2011 Kia Optima LX on an 16 hour highway trip and was expecting to get north of 34 MPG. To my disappointment I only got 30 MPG average. I wonder how the hell they come up with the MPG numbers they post on the window sticker?
Here we go again
rockinrn, 04/30/2011
2011 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 11 people found this review helpful
I am rewriting the review of my 2011 Optima EX because my original review and many other driver's reviews have disappeared. I have owned the car for 5 months now and I can say that it is a very good value. The interior and exterior styling are very modern and eye-catching. The quality of the materials is above average and the car has many standard features such as Bluetooth, leather-trimmed interior and a 6-speed automatic transmission. However there is bad with the good. The seats are hard and acceleration is unimpressive. AND boy is this car noisy on the freeway. Tire roar/wind noise is so LOUD that it is impossible to carry on a conversation with out practically yelling.
Surprising
redbruin, 02/28/2011
2011 Kia Optima SX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
11 of 70 people found this review helpful
I have had the SX Turbo for a week now and love it. It's a great ride and the power you get with its 4-cylinder engine will surprise you.
Best Midsize Car for 2011 Update #2
dankocke, 07/11/2011
2011 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
1 of 11 people found this review helpful
Left pull issue has not been resolved but Kia corporate is working the issue from all angles, though with no fix so far. Took a 2000 mile trip last week from Missiouri to Florida. Car is a very good travel car for long distances. Gas mileage was not as good as expected but then again my average speed with A/C on was between 80 and 85 mph. Gas mileage in these conditions hovered between 27 and 29 mpg. This is inline with just about every other midsize car I've had as rental cars. A/C does make a difference and speed over 75mph makes a big difference. Otherwise the car is super quiet and had no rattles.
Gas Mileage SUCKS!
westca, 07/09/2011
2011 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 27 people found this review helpful
I purchased the EX Premium package and love the panoramic dual sunroof, heated steering wheel, colled and heated seats and the rest. The car does sound like a go-kart (as others have posted) and I am very upset with the 21 mpg (mostly hwy) gas mileage after 2000 miles. Dealer said I need to break it in more, yet I do not read that in the owner's manual and wish that was disclosed to me before my purchase! Reading reviews it seems this low gas mileage is a common issue, and hopefully KIA or EPA will do something about it! False advertising and a lemon!
24/35 MPG? ...Yeah right!
kookoo4cars, 04/22/2011
2011 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Purchase my Kia Optima EX 9 weeks ago. In this day of $4-5 gallons of gas, I bypassed the turbo engine with the idea that it would just make me want to drive faster burning more fuel. With the posted MPG on the sticker of 24/35, I was expecting somewhere around 27-28 combined. What I'm getting after 9 fill ups is more like 19 MPG - which is a big disappointment. So now I have a car with no power and no great fuel savings either. The 186 HP engine is a slug - feels like the pistons are going to come through the hood, and the car sounds like a go-kart. Otherwise, a pretty decent car for the money. If you're considering it, go turbo - if only to get you out of danger while merging onto highways
My first new car.
pacoug, 01/31/2011
2011 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've driven a succession of Maximas, Infinitis and a couple other decent 4 doors, all bought used with moderate miles. This time I went for new for similar money, to see the difference. I must say, a G37 or Maxima is a lot more car than this--but look at the sticker of a new one. I find in most situations the lower power of the 4 is more than enough to get the job done, even if not as thrilling as a 3.7 liter Nissan 6. It sure is a thrill at both the gas pump and the insurance counter. I get 10 more mpg with this car than I did with my last. It has a great warranty while my previous car had no warranty. Cost of ownership: far lower!
What fun!
richie46, 01/21/2011
2011 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We've had it 2 weeks, 800 miles. Great car, especially considers all the features vs. cost. In shopping, this was the first we tried. Then drove Accord and Fusion. Optima easily surpassed those. We're were going to look at Mazda6, Altima and Camry too, but we liked the Optima so much we decided to curtail shopping.
Best Midsize Car for 2011 Update #1
dankocke, 05/11/2011
2011 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
So I too have noticed the left pull issue after a few days of driving. This is a known problem by Kia with no good fix for it YET. This problem is not found on all Optimas but only a select few. Please test drive your car on the highway at speeds more than 65mph. My left pull is pronounced but not ridiculous. I did call Kia Custoomer Service and they are very helpful. If you open a case file with them on this issue they will guide you and the dealers through a preliminary fix until Kia engineers figure out a better fix. Gas mileage has been 28 mpg on all 4 tank fill ups in mixed mostly highway driving. Overall still love the car. NAV traffic is great!
2011 Kia Optima
vatili1, 04/03/2011
2011 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have driven the new Kia Optima for about 10 days now and it is a very nice car with many good features however it has excessive road noise - Kia pls fix this issue ASAP and you have a excellent car that can compete with the best in it's class.
FROM A NIGHTMARE TO AN OPTIMA
d2dv, 08/08/2011
2011 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I had a Land Rover Discovery that was a constant pain that wouldnt go away. Now I have an OPTIMA and I couldnt be happier. I test drove the Accord, Camry, Focus, Cruze, and others... OPTIMA is hands down the best out of any of these. Tons of features are included in even the base model. I got the extended 100K bumper to bumper warranty just for added piece of mind and I still paid under $25K out the door. Already have 2000 miles and I am averaging 29 mpg!! Less than the stated mpg but much better than the 11mpg I was getting on the Rover. Im probably getting the KIA Sportage when our minivan finally gives up.