2012 Kia Optima Video Review

This 2012 Kia Optima video review includes information about fuel economy, safety, price, interior comfort and features like Bluetooth and Uvo. We compare the Optima to other midsize family sedans and let you know what it's like to drive.

Midsize sedans are boring, right? Not the Kia Optima. With its flashy styling, plentiful standard features and enjoyable driving dynamics, it's one of our top picks in the segment.

Pricing starts at just over $20,000 for the base LX, with the Hybrid beginning around $26,000. The well-optioned SX turbo test car in this video will run you closer to $31,000.

The downside to the Optima's rakish, coupelike roof line is a slight lack of headroom, especially in the rear seat. And the Hybrid model's trunk is seriously compromised by its battery pack.

But the Kia Optima's interior is a great place to spend the miles. Not only is the design particularly sporty, but the materials are excellent, with lots of soft-touch items. Standard features include a cooled glovebox, Bluetooth, satellite radio and an iPod audio interface, while Kia's new Uvo voice control is available.

The government gave the Kia Optima a five-star rating for overall safety performance, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Optima a top score of "Good" in frontal offset, side-impact and roof strength tests.

All of the Optima's four-cylinder engines produce best-in-class power and are paired with responsive and smooth-shifting transmissions. The EPA says the base engine should achieve 24 city/35 highway mpg. The EX and SX turbo models give you 274 horsepower to play with, while the Hybrid promises thrifty fuel economy in the mid 30s.

The Kia Optima delivers a comfy ride that's sure to please just about everyone. Unfortunately, the handling, while respectable, isn't as sporty as the car's styling would suggest.

Still, the Optima offers a fine mix of power, fuel economy, exuberant styling and reasonable pricing, along with a great warranty.