Used 2020 Kia Optima Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Reliable after 2 years
Jonathan J., 01/09/2021
updated 03/11/2022
2020 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
I keep cars for a long time, usually over 200,000 miles. Right now, I have 28,600 miles on my Optima, purchased with 12,000 miles. The initial selling point for this car was very simple, it had more legroom than a Camry. I have been to the auto shows, and most new cars feel cramped, no matter the make or model. So I guess we tall guys have to settle. The dealer had a lot of selections, and was tall like me, so I was not confined to any particular brand. He suggested this make and model. I am thankful for him. I am a lawyer who practices in motor vehicle accidents and sees a lot of injuries. Therefore, beyond legroom, I wanted safety. The knee airbags, a relatively standard feature in many cars, are what I was looking for, because many of my motor vehicle accident clients suffer knee injuries where an airbag could have prevented it. So I wouldn't buy a car without knee airbags. Furthermore, it has an airbag system that virtually surrounds the cockpit. Performance. As far as performance, the Optima LX has plenty for me. I don't need overwhelming speed, but want enough power to get up the hills, and acceleration to pass easily. Although I am not a performance driver, the Optima passes very well (I have tested that once). Performance mode enables some features that lend it better for fast driving. Basically, it shifts at higher rpm's and accelerates better. I need power on highways with mountains, and the manual shift option allows going up and down mountains without the annoying down and up shifting when I don't want it. Mileage: If I cruise at 60-65 mph in eco mode on a level highway, it gets around 40mpg, more or less, depending on the stretch. Hills reduce fuel economy significantly. My city commute (35 mph speed limit) is hilly. Going to work, mostly but not all downhill, I get 24 mpg, and coming back uphill I get 18-20mpg. The fuel economy is poor because there are stop lights, hills, and traffic is slow at times. The infotainment center was tempermental at times when patched into my smartphone. Initially, it was the voice command on the steering wheel. I now don't find that feature as useful so haven't had issues for a couple years. One disappointment is the brake stop pump which is an unwanted feature of this car. I have learned the brake stop pump is designed to keep the car from rolling backwards when stopped on a hill. I have gotten used to the in the last couple years. I'm not fond of this feature. I guess it is common on newer cars. Overall this is a great car and I recommend it for the right person looking for more legroom than most midsize sedans out there, and as much as many full sized luxury sedans. Let's go Brandon!
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A Deal on top of a Deal
Jim, 08/27/2020
2020 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I went car shopping with several choices.. And rebate shopping focused! Kia had 7,000 off Plus my military discount ALSO and the car I found had dealer options but wasn't more! I stacked all the deals together and didn't buy from my local dealer.. I found a better deal 85 miles west at another dealer. I then had money to tint windows, all weather matter, car phone cup holder and a trunk mat! The dealer threw in an emergency medical kit!
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Peculiar omissions
Brian, 06/29/2020
2020 Kia Optima EX Premium 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
Test drove several Optimas. Hard to beat for the money, BUT a car that will keep you in your lane, will heat, or cool your bottom, and has a heated steering wheel( a feature Honda doesn't offer in an Accord) doesn't have the basic homelink garage door opener , or Remote start?! Remote start is available as an app for $180 year? 1.6T is OK, but not up to par with the other turbos, and the trans is a little clunky.
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Not Kia of Yesteryear
Satisfied Owner, 10/28/2021
2020 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
This car has exceeded all of my expectations. I currently have 77,000 miles and they have been without trouble. My daily commute is 122 miles, all highway. So the car drives as it did when I bought it with 5 miles on the odometer. NO RATTLES, CREAKS, SQUEAKS, or LEAKS!!!! The 1.6T engine is smooth, strong, and mostly quiet. Even at high revs it’s still refined. The ride is Germanic...underlyingly firm, but smooth. Handling is OK. The seats are EXTREMELY comfortable and supportive. I returned a 2016 MB E350 at the end of its lease and these seats are ALMOST as great as the E-Class. Speaking of which, this car wasn’t a huge drop from the Benz as far as refinement and quality. Of course you know you aren’t in a Benz. But at half the price, much lower maintenance, insurance, fuel, and repair costs it’s a good downgrade. I purchased the EX Premium package. I enjoy the panoramic sunroof, heated and cooled seats, 12-way power driver AND front passenger seats, Harmon-Kardon (which I had in my Benz), Nav with real-time traffic, very roomy cabin and huge trunk, electronic E-Brake, BSM, Lane Keep Assist, semi-autonomous system that’s steers the car around slight curves, cruise control that speeds and slows down with traffic, and more niceties. Nothing has ever malfunctioned in the car. Apple CarPlay always hooks up and works flawlessly. And gas mileage is awesome at 40 on the highway with a very light foot and some hypermiling. And it take regular. I think it’s one of the last cars to have an 18.5 gallon tank. They no longer make the Optima. It’s now the K5. They no longer use real leather. They also took away a few more items. And its engine isn’t as quiet. If you can find a Certified Pre-Owner Optima, get it. It’ll be worth it. Oh...one negative about the 1.6t EX Optima for me would be its Dual-Clutch Transmission. I understand the science of it, but it’s clunky in start and go traffic. It’s basically a manual trans that’s automated. I drove stick shifts and know the feeling. Otherwise, it’s very smooth and not noticeable. Unless you have a good ear to hear the difference.
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Known for major engine problems and poor service
Dan Sentin , 03/24/2021
2020 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
The dealership experience is horrible. You have to leave your car there for a day for a check engine light. They threaten to not honor your warranty if you don’t get an oil change at the dealership. And the engines are known for blowing up due to oil problems. This model sounds terrible on cold start up. I will be selling it at break even point so I don’t get stuck with a seized engine and a manufacturer that may make thongs difficult for me if things go wrong.
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