Used 2012 Kia Optima Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Very pleasantly surprised
country6543, 06/22/2012
2012 Kia Optima SX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
18 of 19 people found this review helpful
My wife totalled her 300C and we looked at new cars for almost 8 months. With the way the economy was I wanted fuel efficient but she wanted sporty and fun to drive. Looked at all the different family cars out there and then drove the optima SX turbo. The features that set the Optima apart was the very roomy back seat for the kids, Great looks and fuel economy. We have around 8,000 miles on the vehicle and still love it. No problems, No noises and she gets raving compliments everywhere she goes. She drives mostly city with a little highway driving. City mpg is about 19-21 but highway mpg is right on the button at 33. I am 6'2" and have no problem with comfort, front or back.
Honda, Toyota, and Nissan-----LOOK OUT!!!
mojonphx, 02/01/2012
2012 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
17 of 18 people found this review helpful
This car is amazing, after dismal repairs on my 2009 Honda Accord EX-L, I gave in on my frustrations and traded in the car for a brand new 2012 Kia Optima EX with Tech and Prem packages. The car is so much nicer than the Accord and a pleasure to drive. I have already put 3k miles on the car in one month because it is so addicting to drive and it turns heads wherever I go and people always ask "That's a KIA?" I highly recommend it and don't pass it by because it is a KIA, the brand has made drastic changes and it definitely shows. My Honda Accord was my third and last Honda and I will not be going back.
Hands down the BEST car I have ever owned
Beth, 07/25/2018
updated 08/03/2023
2012 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
I bought this car in 2013 when it was a year old and it had 13xxx miles on it. I did exhaustive research before buying and the Optima stood out for safety, satisfaction, price, and options. The styling is what drew me in, it is just an attractive, slightly sporty looking car. And I drive a LOT. I have a weekly commute to work of 450 miles, plus I like to get out on the weekends, so the miles just sort of racked up. In five years, I had one battery change, two tire purchases, and countless regular oil changes. That's it. No really--that is it. I added about 135,000 miles to this car with really zero repairs. Just last week (over five years later), I was hit head on and my sweet Kia was totalled. I am not digging the design changes for the newer (17-18) models, so I am doing exhaustive research again. I'm also considering finding another 2012, it was that great. The features you get for the price are unbeatable, it's zippy to drive, and comfortable for road trips. The trunk is unbelievably huge. Best car ever. Update: I did end up buying the 2017 to replace my totaled one in 2018--same model, even the same color. I don't love it as much as the 2012 but I can tell you, after 2 and a half years it hasn't had any expensive repairs needed either! I've put 76000 miles on it in that time. What is it with these cars? Guess I'll probably buy a third one when the time comes <3 Update #2: Still no issues with my Kia. Update #3, 2022: Still love these cars. Going strong. Update #4, 2023 yep still here!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Good in some aspects, still lacking in a lot more
orleans44, 03/31/2013
2012 Kia Optima SX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
29 of 32 people found this review helpful
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.
WOW!! It is a KIA!!!!
mrvega, 04/19/2012
2012 Kia Optima SX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
16 of 17 people found this review helpful
Purchased my 2012 SX 3 weeks ago and I am truly amazed. It doesn't feel or look like a KIA. The ride is very smooth yet sporty. Quieter and more stable at speed than my mother's 2009 Camry SE V6 even though the SE V6 feels like it accelerates quicker yet handles and feels better than the Camry. The style is elegant yet sporty (Many people compliment the exterior and interior). Even though it is a 4 cylinder, because of the turbo, it doesnt feel sluggish especially at slower speeds. Gas mileage could be better. It is returning 18-19 City hwy around 28 The style in my opinion looks much better than the Mazda 6, New Camry, Sonata, Accord, Malibu, and more expensive cars.
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