2012 Kia Optima Review

2012 Kia Optima Review

Bruce Sheridan

Overview

The 2012 Kia Optima builds on what the redesign in 2011 established, and that is that the Optima is now one of the premier mid size sedans. There is a lot to like about the new Optima, but the largest draw might be the price tag. For how much the 2012 Kia Optima offers, it has been able to keep its price considerably low. Its aggressive and stylish appearance certainly stands out among family sedans, and it has the performance ability to back it up. The Optima also has great fuel economy, especially if you can spring for the hybrid model. To top it all off the Optima scores wonderfully in safety. The 2012 Kia Optima has a lot going for it, and is one of the best auto sales of the year.

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2012 Kia Optima

Starting MSRP	Max City / Hwy MPG
$19,500	35 / 40

Pros	Cons
Decent fuel economy	Limited head room
4-cyl engine mpg with 6-cyl power	Hybrid mpg not on par with others
Head turning style
Great safety scores
Good resale value

Trims

The Optima covers every base it possibly can in the mid size car segment, from its base to turbo charged to hybrids. The LX trim is the most basic, but even it comes loaded with standard features you will not find in most cars' basic trim levels. The EX has the Convenience package as standard equipment, and the EX Turbo comes with a more powerful turbo charged engine. The SX is the premier Optima trim, and also comes with a turbo charged engine and even more standard features. The Optima also offers an affordable and stylish hybrid, however its fuel economy, while impressive in its own right, does not add up to competing hybrids.

Performance

The 2012 Kia Optima, with any of the models, gets exceptional gas mileage. The LX and EX models get 24 city / 35 highway mpg, the EX Turbo and SX get 22 city / 34 highway mpg, and the hybrid model gets 35 city / 40 highway mpg. The 2012 Kia Optima has three different types of four cylinder engines, the standard 2.4L, the hybrid 2.4L and the turbo 2.0L. The LX and EX models have the 2.4L engine, which gives 200 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. The turbo 2.0L engine comes with the EX Turbo and SX models, and gives 274 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid model gets the 2.4L engine, which gives it 166 horsepower and 153 lb-ft of torque. The LX can have manual transmission or automatic, and all the other models are automatic. All the 2012 Kia Optimas are front wheel drive.

Interior / Exterior

After the Kia Optima got a full make over in 2011, it went from just another unremarkable family car to being hands down of the most sleek and stylish mid size cars available. The outside has an aggressive new look much like it did last year, which definitely stands out from its competition, and could even compete with the styling of cars that cost twice as much as it. The interior cuts back as much as it can on unnecessary plastic and replaces it with softer materials. The 2012 Kia Optima is pretty spacious for the seating and legroom, however not so much with headroom. The sleek design cuts away headroom for taller riders, especially in the back seats.

Features

The Optima has many optional features you would find in most cars, but new this year for the Optima is the Uvo interactive electronic interface. It is available on every trim but the base LX. It is a voice activated interface that allows you to control everything by your voice, including the turn by turn navigation, radio, MP3 players and even your cell phone. Even at its base model, it has more standard high technology features than a lot of cars.

Safety

The 2012 Optima has received excellent scores in safety, and is considered one of the safest mid size sedans on the market. The Optima got a full five stars on every government crash test performed and was awarded a 2012 IIHS Top Safety Pick. It comes with a wealth of standard safety equipment on all of its models, including side air bags and side curtain air bags, anti lock brakes, hill start assist, stability and traction control and tire pressure monitoring.