Used 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid Consumer Reviews
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Never thought I'd own a Kia
Sly_Jester, 07/13/2016
2013 Kia Optima EX Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)
112 of 115 people found this review helpful
Well, I bought a Kia... Man was that a great move! Keep in mind Im a Honda kind of guy and how dare I walk away from the accord models that have done me right for so many years?! Well, After weeks of comparing and constrating numbers and figures (warranty, mpg, price) I did it, In the summer of 2014 (June to be exact) I purchased a used 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid EX with 17,500 miles for $21,597.88 (ttt). Let me be the first to tell you the step up from an accord to this beauty was a life changer. The ergonomics of this car just makes me feel like I'm at home. Oh and the features well she's loaded nothing spared for the best! It may sound like I'm joking but the luster I have for this car is still present today. So let's get to the nuts and bolts! How is she today(12 July 2016) (I'm referring to the optima)? She has approx. 127k miles on her... Yes 127,000 miles. Any problems?! Yes, the backup camera doesn't work all the time. Well... Anything else?! No, I change my oil every 4K miles (full synthetic mobile 1), I have put two sets of tires on her, one K&N air filter, 6 cabin air filters, regular fluid changes, and she still spits out avg 33mpg. I have 99 problems but a Hybrid component ain't one. Now keep in mind I drive 1000 miles a week on avg. she has been in two accidents (cosmetic damages), but has never left me stranded or in distress (knock on wood). I will tell anyone who is looking for a reliable vehicle to consider Kia. I plan on putting another 150k miles on her before I retire her so I'll keep you posted when I hit 200k. Until then drive Kia and stop texting and driving!
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Kia Optima SXL 2.0 Turbo Blown Engine
Colton Pack, 11/13/2015
2013 Kia Optima EX Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)
59 of 63 people found this review helpful
At 80,00 miles I had to replace the engine. In total I spent $5,500 for the engine replacement at the Kia Dealership. They said the cause of it was "metal to metal rod bearings". According to kia I was to blame for not using a KIA GENUINE oil filter. Because I did not use their oil filter somehow metal got in my oil and ruined the engine. Thats a bunch of BS. I read multiple peoples accounts of the same experience with their KIA optima. I saw on the news where Hyundai recalled the same engine this car has. Clearly they need to investigate the optima engine as well. KIA doesn't care about their customers.
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Excellent car, comfortable and quiet
happykiadriv1, 09/25/2014
2013 Kia Optima LX Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
Driven more than 30,000 miles, excellent car with no problems. Variable mpg depending on the weather...goes way down in the winter. Comfortable ride, quiet on the highway. Lots of standard features that make the car an excellent value.
False MPG, but lovely car
optimahybrid, 12/06/2013
2013 Kia Optima LX Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)
19 of 23 people found this review helpful
The 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid is pretty to look at! It is also comfortable to drive and has good pick up. BUT...the fuel economy under real world driving conditions is substantially lower than the estimated 36/38/40. We drive 85-90% hwy miles and our mpg is a pathetic 33 mpg. We've driven 10,000 + miles and have calculated the mpg each time. Worse, the fuel gauge onboard display overstates the mpg by 4-5 mpg. It is easy to be lulled into thinking the mpg is decent, but when calculated...it isn't.
Traded in Optima LX non-hybrid for this
catrose, 01/30/2015
2013 Kia Optima LX Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)
10 of 12 people found this review helpful
We purchased this hybrid after trading in the Optima LX sedan, which we found inferior in carpeting (it wore through on the driver's side within 2 months. This hybrid has far better suspension than the Optima LX of that year and there are many small build-ins that increase the comfort and reliability of the unit. We get an average of 38 mph in the city. Rarely drive on the highway so can't give you the average.
If I only knew!
kevyn4652, 04/23/2016
updated 05/01/2017
2013 Kia Optima EX Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)
17 of 24 people found this review helpful
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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BEST CAR I HAVE OWNED Always a happy Kia customer
Tyler, 07/04/2017
2013 Kia Optima LX Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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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If the tech & transmission were a LITTLE better
The Davy, 02/03/2018
2013 Kia Optima LX Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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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***REALLY AWFUL****
NOTHAPPYCAMPER, 04/21/2016
2013 Kia Optima EX Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)
10 of 14 people found this review helpful
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 !!
MDOTS , 08/03/2019
2013 Kia Optima EX Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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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Love, Love, LOVE my KIA
Laura Murphy, 01/05/2017
updated 01/08/2018
2013 Kia Optima EX Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Bought a 2013 Kia EX Hybrid. Immaculate and sold to me from dealer at no-haggle blue book price. Has all the bells and whistles. Absolutely love this car. >35mpg in town so far. (Edited to add 1 year later: STILL love my KIA!)
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This is the best car ever with lots of power!!
Marie lovely, 02/27/2022
2013 Kia Optima LX Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This car is sharp and has so much get up and go power it’s crazy! I swear it’s as fast as my Camaro y’all. Gas is absolutely great you can fill up and drive forever!! Everything about this car I love. Radio is loud, led lights and just a bad A car. I recommend this to everyone and great for younger adults as well very safe for all
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enjoy my kia
stan, 05/27/2016
2013 Kia Optima LX Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
my kia get good mileage and maintence have been good lot of people at my job love my kia would recommended to anyone who desire to buy a kia.
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Way More than what I expected
1powerfullady, 01/02/2014
2013 Kia Optima LX Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)
5 of 20 people found this review helpful
I absolutely love car. I must say that this was more than what I bargained for. I do a happy dance every time I get in my baby!
Surprising, Fun, and WOW on Economy
dc4kids, 08/13/2013
2013 Kia Optima LX Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)
3 of 28 people found this review helpful
I have owned the 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid only a week and I LOVE IT! I have owned Porsche, Mercedes, Cadillac, Infiniti, Lincoln, Honda, Volkswagen, Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan, Dodge, Plymouth, and more and I would rate this vehicle as one of my all time favorites. I love the fact that I can drive the vehicle hundred plus miles and the gas gauge ticks off one notch equal to about 2 gallons of gas. The car is quiet, smooth, and well built. I also love the 5 years and 60,000 mile warranty. No worries for about 4-5 years. I figured out I am saving over $300 a month on gas from my Porsche Cayenne S I just replaced. I love that.
Love this car!!
White cloud, 04/16/2025
2013 Kia Optima EX Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought a 2013 Used Kia, in great shape, sporty, gets good gas mileage for size-very comfortable inside good headroom. Handles nice;y. Several friends and family have Kia’s with 150k miles going strong
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It was a good car...until it wasn't!
CJ103K, 06/20/2019
2013 Kia Optima EX Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have owned my 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid for over 5 years. When I first got it the vehicle would turn heads. It is very stylish on the road and pretty accommodating on the inside. A big item to note is that it has a very low profile to the ground which makes it a task getting in & out if you are of average or above average height. The bluetooth feature doesn't work quite as expected. Whoever I call always gets echo feedback. Also, the voice feature leaves a lot to be desired. I opt to reach for the console myself to do whatever I need versus using the voice feature. As for the vehicle performance it has enough zip to keep up with traffic flow without getting run over. I am satisfied with the MPG as I drive mostly on the highway and average 36-38 mpg combined city/hwy. At 40K miles my rear window motor gave out and was replaced by warranty. Up until about 85K miles everything was smooth. That's when my car started on a downward trend. The bad experiences started when my car battery died. It was then replaced after a $300 price tag. Just days after replacing the battery I had the engine light come on. After taking it to the dealership it turned out that the fuse to the battery was blown after it was swapped. They waived the diagnostic fee and just charged me the cost of the fuse ($40). A few months passes before my car gives me a big WARNING light with a message to get off the road and park the vehicle immediately. Horrible timing for mechanical issues because I am in rush hour traffic and now have to anxiously get off the road. As soon as I park the car it flickers and shuts off. At this point the vehicle is immobilized and will not turn on. So it had to be towed away to find out that the throttle body is now shot. Another $500+ invested because it's not covered under warranty. Finally reach the 103,000 milestone before the transmission goes out. The transmission has a price tag of $4,100 for a replacement. How convenient after the 100,000 mile warranty just expired. After all this, plus HORRIBLE customer service at the dealership I am officially done with Kia. Also of note - the driver seat mount came loose at 90K miles which I fixed myself due to a $300 repair quote from the dealership.
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