Used 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid Consumer Reviews
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If I only knew!
I really wanted this car. People stopped me in parking lots and at the car wash. They admired the car and asked lots of questions - I could have been a salesman! Now I have owned it for a little over 3 years and don't feel the same. Pros: It is a beautiful design. Love the heated steering wheel/seats and the cooling seats. Glove box feature can keep a bottle of water cold. I'm happy with my leather seats and the sound system. Cons: It does not live up to the MPG claims. I typically end a tank of gas with about 21 mpg. I have gotten up to 29 on the highway but not as often. I'm a good driver and very conscious of the mileage. I am 5'4" and cannot see over the hood. What I can see is 3-4" of the hood closest to the windshield even with the drivers seat at maximum height. This has caused numerous problems. The passenger seat feels like I am sitting in a bucket – It should raise up and down like the driver seat. The driver's window clearance in the rear has a much too large blind spot at both corners. I should have also taken note that the battery life in the new car is only 2 years; I think that's a poor proposition. Also the tire life is only 3 years. I would advise you to negotiate both of these items plus the cost of the spare tire that isn't there. I want to trade this model in for the past 2 years for anew or late model Sportage. But 5 e-mails to the dealer (Carson) got no answer when I wanted to negotiate via e-mail or phone. I did not want to drive all that way just to look. ow they are bombarding me with requests for a trade-in. Update: an additonal finding is that the air conditioning to the back seat is not effective. It functions as a small fraction of the front seat air.
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If the tech & transmission were a LITTLE better
I tend to drive decently roughly. I bought this car after minor body work had been done thanks to a tree collision (right, carfax?), and made off with it for $10,000 exactly with only 37,000 miles on the ODO. In my 10 months of ownership, there have been a couple warranty part replacements that Colonial Kia near Richmond VA handled with grace, but NO out-of-the-ordinary maintenance has been required. It’s one of the smoothest riding non-luxury sedans I’ve ever driven, but the suspension is taut enough to let you never forget there’s a road under you. The exterior paint seems pretty cheap, getting substantially beaten up on the front end by simple highway battery, but the Interior is too-notch. The leather-wrapped steering wheel feels fantastic, the controls are very intuitive on the steering wheel and on the dash, and the seats are almost obscenely comfortable, in my opinion (5’6 @ 145 lbs). Materials are the same in front and back, unlike in the Camry, and legroom is ENDLESS. Road noise is decently isolated. Wind noise can be burdensome at very quick highway speeds (like I said, I drive pretty roughly). The engine is quiet and strong, but the transmission kills the acceleration experience, hence the 4-Star review. There is a plateau between when the electric motor peters out and the Atkinson 4 cyl kick in that makes even RELATIVELY rapid acceleration very frustrating. The transmission shifts extremely slowly and smoothly, but at the appropriate times, especially out of ECO mode. I know some people struggle with fuel economy in their Optimas, but I’ve found nothing but truth in the EPA numbers, pulling down 36 mpg combined in the middle of winter in the mountains of New Jersey. 0-60 time is 7.8 seconds on my best runs (don’t ask me how I know this). Lastly, the car is just so damn stylish. Even 5 years after its release, it still looks pretty relevant, aside from that front lip spoiler. Final recap: its 6-speed transmission doesn’t make it feel as wonderful as it seemed during the test drive (especially when you first start up the car), but the electric torque does feel VERY good on slowish starts. The interior is vey high quality for the segment, although the trunk space leaves much to be desired, albeit the hybrid battery. The exterior is beautiful and seldom seen in the unique hybrid styling. It’s been incredibly reliable over the 30,000 Miles I’ve driven it, including a Canadian road trip and months and months of pizza delivery. Lastly, I find it supremely comfortable and relaxing to drive, as long as I’m not trying to burn rubber. In my hybrid. Because I’m THAT guy.
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BEST CAR I HAVE OWNED Always a happy Kia customer
Worked for Kia and traded my 2012 Ford Fusion for the 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. It was the best decision I made. This car is so good looking and has all the right features and is very comfortable. I also worked for Toyota and recently bought a 2016 Camry XLE as an extra car and I am so mad I did not get another KIA. The Optima has 71k highway miles and I have not had to change the pads or rotors as of yet the only thing I have done is oil and air filter. This car rides like a dream and just looks so good I cannot say enough good things about my KIA. The quality, warranty and reliability are unbeatable. If you haven't checked out KIA lately I would do so. I can not wait to trade in my Toyota Camry for another KIA.
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***REALLY AWFUL****
Prior to buying this vehicle I owned a Chevy Silverado, So obviously downgrading to a fuel efficient economical car was very appealing. The car we bought had all the bells and whistles. leather, Navigation, double sunroof, Hybrid, everything. Fully loaded. Not knowing a lot about cars I thought this would be great for my 10 year old daughter and I. I am a busy military mom and I was planning on starting school full time. Within 2 years of ownership. I've had one tire blow out, wheel bearing and cross bar replacement, dead battery, replaced 4 tires, electrical shortage, and the last thing 2 days ago the hybrid system shut down in the middle of a Highway 80 mile an hour traffic. afraid my life was over I was able to maneuver to the side of the rode. the dealership service department had the nerve to say it was the battery, turned out to be the hybrid system. currently trying to get out of this vehicle asap. please for the safety of yourself and your family do not get a hybrid.
Great experience !!
Trying at add a 3rd car and nothing compares to our Kia Hybrid.. 3 years only one issue. Needed a new engine mount. Fixed with no further problems Every amenity at fractions of the cost of other sedans Heated and cooling seats Double moonroof Quiet as all get out Quick once you understand how a hybrid works. Took about a year to understand how the Bluetooth syncs with an iPhone ... now it syncs every time no problem ! Would definitely recommend if you’re on the fence !
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