2012 Kia Optima Reviews

Graham Smith reviews the 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Kia Optima as a used buy.

Ewan Kennedy reviews the 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 Kia Optima as a used buy.

There was a time, not so long ago, when no one would dare attempt to crash the Holden-Ford party that for so long defined the Australian market, but that's all changed.NEWNo longer are the Commodore and Falcon the dominating forces they once were, their influence is on the wane big time if you look at the latest sales numbers.Today's buyer has much more choice as other carmakers have edged into the market and consumers have chosen to downsize to slightly smaller models, like Kia's Optima. The Korean carmaker clearly saw the trend and landed its mid-sized sedan in an attempt to win over some of those moving away from the big two.Kia rolled out two models in the Optima range, beginning with the Platinum that came packed with just about everything you could want, and followed by the more modestly equipped Si. The attractive sedan not only looked good, it was able to seat five adults in decent comfort, even in the back. Add to that a good-sized boot and a split-fold rear seat and you had a pretty impressive package.The power package consisted of a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission that delivered a good combination of performance and economy. The good news was that local engineers tuned the suspension for local roads, and the result was impressive.While it was impressive on the road, it was also well equipped to handle a crash with front, head and side airbags, ABS brakes, emergency brake assistance, traction control and ESP stability control. It was also impressively equipped with climate controlled air, cruise, leather upholstery, Xenon headlamps, CD sound and a host of other features.NOWKia has been one of the notable makes in recent times and few Carsguide readers have had cause to contact the desk with complaints. Cars sampled in recent times have all been well built and solid on the road, devoid of rattles and squeaks that can ruin the experience of stepping up to a later model.The earliest examples of the TF Optima will have now accumulated up to 50,000 km, so the showroom gloss has yet to fully fade. Even so it's important to conduct a thorough examination of any car under consideration for purchase. All cars, no matter the make or model, or sticker price, can have problems, even from new.Before handing over your cash go for a longish drive with the seller and observe closely for any odd noises, vibrations, bangs and bumps that might suggest something untoward is lurking under the sheetmetal. Drive the car at various speeds from walking pace to highway cruise, accelerate softly and more aggressively, let it idle, use the power steering, check the brakes, and put the automatic transmission through its paces.If anything that appears unusual is detected consider having a mechanic or your motoring club check the car for you. In addition to driving the car lift the bonnet and check for oil leaks. While you're at it run through all the features on the car, the power windows, central locking, sound system, cruise, air-conditioning etc. to make sure they're working as they should be.Having thoroughly test driven the car and carefully inspected it without finding any glaring faults you can buy the Optima with confidence.SMITHY SAYSRoomy, well equipped mid-sized four-door that can be approached with confidence. 3.5 starsKia Optima 2010-2012Price new: $30,490 to $36,990Engine: 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder, 148kW/250NmTransmission: 6-speed automatic, FWDThirst: 7.9L/100kmBody: 4-door sedanVariants: Si, PlatinumSafety: 5-star ANCAP

With the Optima Si, Kia is targeting those who want a European style car without the hefty price tag.And it seems to have the style to impress, with one observer christening our test car “a bad boy”. Okay, that might be stretching things a bit too far, but even the base model Optima Si is light years away from the Kia we used to know.Priced from $30,490 the entry level Si is a significant $6500 less than the $36,990 Platinum model. The price point is also slightly cheaper than the competitors: Hyundai i45 Active from $31,090 and Honda Accord Euro from $32,640.The Si is under a generous five year warranty with a features list that includes Bluetooth connectivity, MP3 compatible CD player, steering wheel mounted audio controls, dual-zone climate control, auto door lock/unlock, auto headlamps and front fog lamps.However at this level you get 17-in alloys and smaller discs rather than the 18s and larger ones on the Platinum spec. The only extra available on the base model is metallic paint priced at $450.The Kia Optima gets a 2.4-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine paired with outputs of 148kW of power at 6300 revs and 250Nm of torque at 4250 revs delivered to the front wheels via a six-speed sports automatic.The Optima’s official fuel consumption is 7.9 L/100km with 189 CO2 emissions. The specs are competitive against rivals like Honda Accord Euro – which comes close but with less torque at 230Nm.The spacious interior combines sport styling with comfort, meaning there’s plenty of room for four or five adults. The cabin plastics and dashboard are attractive and well-designed and the Si also comes with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The boot is large enough for everyday life with a capacity of 505 litres, and that can be increased by dropping the rear seats.It was a bit disappointing to find the seats are leather-trimmed with ‘pleather bolsters’, rather than the real thing. The base model also doesn’t offer ventilated driver’s seat or a panoramic sunroof. However, these are more compromises in order to keep the 2.4 litre engine rather than move to a smaller one at this price.The chrome radiator grille, chrome strips over the back bonnet and doors make the exterior aesthetically striking. But sports car lovers should be aware that the base model Si doesn’t come with a sports bumper, LED lights or HID headlights. Even with all these dropped features, the Optima Si is a handsome thing.The Si has a 5-Star ANCAP crash rating, and has six airbags, anti-skid brakes with electronic helpers, stability control, hill-start assist, speed sensing auto door lock, child proof rear door locks and impact sensing auto door unlocking.Visibility is good, and the reverse parking sensors and the rear view camera, wide-angle mirror display and parking guidelines make city parking a hell of a lot easier than in some rivals.Kia has made an effort to make the Optima Si as inviting as possible. Cabin space is impressive with plenty of legroom, comfy seats, smooth pedal feel and adjustable steering. Tall drivers and passengers will appreciate the generous head and legroom in the front and the rear, as well as the rear door apertures.The dashboard is tilted logically towards the driver and the cruise control and audio buttons on the steering wheel are conveniently placed. The Si comes with speed dependent volume control, however it wasn’t a noticeable feature. The Si was a surprisingly quiet ride with hardly any wind or road noise. The six-speed auto served well through heavy stop start traffic in the city. But the Si felt a bit gutless when facing a climb, with the automatic transmission struggling to find the right gear.Once you’re on the open road you’ll want to shift into Sport mode to really get the most out of the car. While the Si is far from a sporty, steering was responsive and well-weighted, with more grip than expected from a front wheel drive. The Si turned corners with ease and the acceleration was more than sufficient for a vehicle of this size. Overall, the Si was extremely easy to drive but may lean to the dull side for some drivers.If you’re looking for a mid-sized sedan the base model Optima Si is one to consider - a well built car that is great for the city.

Kia set the bar high in its two spec levels for the Optima. The Si starts at $30,490 and the Platinum at $36,990.The extra cost of the Platinum adds an Infinity premium sound system, heated and ventilated powered front seats, LED daytime running lamps and xenon headlights, 18-inch alloys, leather seat trim, sunroof and sportier bumpers. The front brake discs are also upgraded to 12.6 inches from 11.8-inches on the Si.The smartest thing in the Optima is the suspension tune. But it is biased towards handling over ride comfort. The car still copes with carpark humps, mid-corner ruts and gouged surfaces with and is one of the reasons the Optima resonates with people who need a mid-sized car but still like the occasional fang. Those who don't should try its Hyundai stablemate, the i45. Direct injection is used to extract 148kW/250Nm from the Optima's 2.4-litre engine and power the front wheels via a six-speed automatic. That puts it up there with a Honda Accord Euro, Mazda6 and Ford Mondeo on ride and power — and it has the edge on fuel use.European design is what Kia wants you to see in the Optima. It is aimed at those who want a Euro sedan but can't afford one. That helps explain the chrome around the window topss and grille. It adds to the lustre of the car and in the case of the Optima, there's plenty to like.This is one of the biggest mid-sized sedans and there's leg and shoulder room to keep complaints from adults in the rear limited to critiques of your driving rather than the car.  The interior is understated and stylish, if not yet up to VW or Audi standards.The reversing camera display integrated in the rear-view mirror is a great double act and reinforces the safety appeal of this car. Six airbags and the usual safety software earn it five stars from ANCAP.The Kia is a genuine contender without being a class leader. Standout features are the modern looks and the interior/boot size and there is little to criticise. The steering doesn't have quite the feel of a Mazda6 but the wheels go where they're pointed and it is light around town. Response from the 2.4-litre is solid across the rev range even with five on board and road noise is minimal unless the engine is under serious load.Making a mid-sized car of this quality — and pricing it accordingly — shows Kia is a serious player. The Optima should be high on the list for anyone who needs space and style.

Wow. What a difference a set of tyres can make. We weren't too impressed with the ride quality in the top of the range Platinum model.But if we owned one of the cars we'd quite happily swap our 18s for a set of the 17 inch wheels from the cheaper Si model. In fact, you could probably downsize the wheels for no extra cost if you can live without the bling.ENGINESame 2.4-litre direct injection four with 148kW of power at 6300 revs and 250Nm of torque at 4250 revs. They're best in class specs, equalled only by the Accord Euro which boasts the same power but not as much torque. It's the same flexible six-speed auto with manual shift too.FUEL ECONOMYTakes regular unleaded and has a big 70-litre fuel tank. That gives you a range of more than 800km with a combined fuel consumption of 7.9 litres/100km. We clocked up 660km at 7.8 (not bad for a car this size). Others reportedly haven't fared as well.SAFETYThe list of active and passive safety features includes ABS with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), six SRS airbags and the new tailgate-mounted reversing safety camera fitted with a 130-degree, wide-angle lens which, transmits images to an LCD display set within the interior rear-view mirror.THE WHEELSThe Si gets 17in alloys fitted with 215/55 tyres, compared with the Platinum's 18in 225/45s. The taller profile of the Si's tyres have a greater cushioning effect while having little or no effect on handling (not that you'd notice). The trade off is well worth it. Both models get a full size alloy spare.WHAT YOU GETA whole lot of car for your money. A good looking one too. Optima is large and comfortable with plenty of room for four/five adults with a big boot go with it.WHAT YOU MISS OUT ONThe aforementioned 18in alloys, a rear spoiler, daytime LED running lights, push button start, leather upholstery, ventilated/heated driver's seat and the big panoramic sunroof  plus a few other odds and ends. Oh and the audio system has been downgraded, with a separate amp and subwoofer.THE DRIVEHas the point and shoot quality of a big family sedans like the Falcon or Commodore. You hop in, you start, you go  all nice and clean without any fuss. The controls are well laid out and easy to use.The seats are comfy and pairing the phone takes a couple of minutes (unlike some brands). Also has full iPod connectivity.VERDICT Get with the program. If Kia is not on your shopping list, then it should be. Times have changed and it is producing desirable, well built cars which in some cases like this one are better than their Japanese counterparts.KIA OPTIMA SiPrice: from $30,490Warranty: Five years unlimited kilometresEngine: 2.4-litre four cylinder with twin-overhead camshafts and variable valve timingOutput: 148kW/6300 revs, 250Nm/4250revsDimensions: Length: 4845 mm, Width: 1830 mm, Height: 1455 mm, Wheelbase: 2795 mm.Weight: 1551 kg.Transmission: Six-speed automatic, front-wheel driveEconomy: 7.9 litres/100kmGreen: CO2 emissions 189g/kmTyres: 225/45 R18. 18-inch alloy. Full-size spare

Chrome trim has been out of fashion for too long in our opinion and it’s good to see Kia is returning to the glory days of automotive bright metal. Aimed at people who want to buy a European car, but can’t afford it, the chromed Kia Optima certainly makes a styling statement. The company’s mid-size four-door sedan uses chrome aplenty. The radiator grille has traditionally been the foremost factor in car style and on the Optima it carries a shiny chrome border. Standout chrome strips run from the back of the bonnet, up the windscreen pillars, then over the door tops and down to the boot hinges.The door handles are chromium plated and there’s a slash of chrome across a garnish on the front flanks. Finally there are the twin chrome tipped exhausts. Designed at Kia’s studios in Frankfurt, Germany and Irvine, California, the latest Kia Optima is longer, wider and lower (by 45, 25 and 25 millimetres, respectively), than the vehicle it supersedes. The undoubted sleek styling has also improved aerodynamics, the drag co-efficient of Cd 0.29 is down from the 0.32 of the previous Optima, adding performance and fuel economy to the standout appearance.Kia’s new 2.4-litre GDI (gasoline direct injection) engine replaces the previous multi-point injection motor and gives the Optima more power – increased by 11.6 per cent, and torque, up by 8.2 per cent.At the same time fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions are down. The maker says on regular unleaded in the combined urban/highway cycle it’s 7.9 L/100km with CO2 emissions at 189g/km.On mainly motorway action we got the consumption figure down as far as the high sixes, which is pretty impressive for a petrol engined car of this size. The new engine delivers 148 kW of power at 6300 rpm and 250Nm of torque at 4250 rpm. Mated with a six-speed fully automatic transmission, it runs the Optima from zero to 100km/h in nine seconds. The driver can choose to switch to Sport mode which allows for sequential gear changes, either using the centre console selector lever or new steering wheel-mounted paddles. Using the paddles was far from a sporty experience, the shifts being soft and far from instantaneous, while under sharp acceleration, engine noise intruded markedly into the cabin. Ride and handling have been designed to make the best of the all-new body structure and the new model’s extended wheelbase. There are high performance dampers, big disc brakes with black callipers and machine finished 18-inch alloy wheels.Active safety technology includes Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, Brake Assist, Hillstart Assist, the last preventing roll-back on inclines by maintaining brake pressure for two seconds while the driver moves a foot from the brake to accelerator pedal.Though it seems to us that left-foot braking achieves exactly the same thing, and does so without the complication of the so-called assist system. Optima’s brakes system include an ABS anti-lock system, with Electronic Brake force Distribution and Brake Assist.  A reverse parking alarm system is fitted, along with a rear-view camera which projects a 130 degree image onto an LCD display within the interior rear-view mirror.All new Optimas come in Kia’s Platinum specification level, which includes a rear boot-mounted spoiler, LED daytime running lights positioned above fog lamps in the front bumper, LED rear lamps, aerodynamic windscreen wipers, plus larger disc brakes with black callipers and machine finished 18 x 7.5-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels. A deep boot, with its cave-like dark surroundings, has the capacity to swallow 505 litres of luggage. A neat feature is a lever that enables the rear seat backs to be freed to drop, opening up the passenger cabin to take even more stuff. Xenon high intensity discharge lamps come with headlamp washers, plus a new static cornering lamp which provides more illumination of the nearside kerb during cornering. A three-piece, full-width panoramic glass sunroof is standard, the front section tilting, centre sliding and the rear fixed. An internal roller blind blocks out unwanted sunlight and heat.

Mid-sized cars are not too small and not too big; they're just right. A perfect balance of power and efficiency, comfort and agility, and performance and environmental consciousness.