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SureCritic / Makes / Kia / Optima / 2012

2012 Kia Optima

Average Score

Overall Rating 4.4/5Overall Rating 4.4/5Overall Rating 4.4/5Overall Rating 4.4/5Overall Rating 4.4/5
4.4
(49 Reviews)
44%
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  • Features
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  • Exterior
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  • Styling

Reviews

Overall Rating 4.4/5Overall Rating 4.4/5Overall Rating 4.4/5Overall Rating 4.4/5Overall Rating 4.4/5
4.4
(49 Reviews)
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Reviews

HP
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HARRIET P.
2012 Kia Optima
Overall Rating 0.0/5Overall Rating 0.0/5Overall Rating 0.0/5Overall Rating 0.0/5Overall Rating 0.0/5
05/28/2015
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GM
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GEORGE M.
2012 Kia Optima
verified customer Verified Owner
Overall Rating 1.0/5Overall Rating 1.0/5Overall Rating 1.0/5Overall Rating 1.0/5Overall Rating 1.0/5
11/28/2017
Verified Review

Inferior parts

At 37,000 miles my engine stared knocking and soon after the crack , car was in the shop for one month and they did not even rent me a car
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JC
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JASON C.
2012 Kia Optima
verified customer Verified Owner
Overall Rating 1.0/5Overall Rating 1.0/5Overall Rating 1.0/5Overall Rating 1.0/5Overall Rating 1.0/5
10/06/2020
Verified Review

2013 Kia

This car sucks bad!!! It is slow, has a ton of recalls and the engine just seized. I wish I didnt owe so much as I would get RID of it FAST!!!! I would not recommend to anyone. Im glad they're not making it anymore
Recommended
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JP
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June P.
2012 Kia Optima
verified customer Verified Owner
Overall Rating 1.0/5Overall Rating 1.0/5Overall Rating 1.0/5Overall Rating 1.0/5Overall Rating 1.0/5
10/16/2020
Verified Review

Lemon

I have had nothing but trouble with my car from the first day I owned it and the dealership (Nationwide KIA in Timonium, MD) was even worse. I kept taking it in with problems and they told me there was nothing wrong with my car. There have been so many recalls and I have a lifetime warranty on the engine due to engine problems. The recently replaced the motor because it was burning oil (a known problem with a recall), but kept telling me there was nothing wrong with my car until it was burning 2 quarts of oil every week. After they replaced the motor they refused to repair things the motor had caused - a broken catalytic converter caused by burning oil and a misfire in the 4th chamber. I took it to a regular mechanic and spent $1100 so far to fix the catalytic converter, I have to take it back for the misfire when I have the money. I will never buy another KIA and this was my 4th one, I was brand loyal until now.
Recommended
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MS
Mark S.
2012 Kia Optima
verified customer Verified Owner
Overall Rating 2.0/5Overall Rating 2.0/5Overall Rating 2.0/5Overall Rating 2.0/5Overall Rating 2.0/5
12/27/2023
Verified Review

Steer clear of Kia

Steer clear. 8 years and 150,000 miles is all we got out of our Kia Optima. Many documented cases of engine failures at various mileages for Kia owners. Corporate and dealerships offer little or no hope for owners.
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SB
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SHIRLEY B.
2012 Kia Optima
Overall Rating 3.0/5Overall Rating 3.0/5Overall Rating 3.0/5Overall Rating 3.0/5Overall Rating 3.0/5
02/06/2017

Kia Not in Love

Repairs too costly due to not having parts available after market. Too much to use dealership. Hit 100,000 miles and you will have issues. At least there's the warranty, for those that do not drive a lot. The warranty, which I was not able to use. My issues happened after mileage expired.
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LF
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LEONARD F.
2012 Kia Optima
Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5
03/23/2015
Looks good, fun to drive
Recommended
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PK
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PHILIP K.
2012 Kia Optima
Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5
06/23/2015

Took some getting used to

Car is low to ground and front end is very low. Kept hitting curbs with the front end spoiler. Finally just took it off. Mine is Hybrid version and gets excellent mileage most of the year but much less in Winter. Very nice ride and handling. Battery in trunk does not allow back seats to fold down so some flexibility is lost.
Recommended
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RC
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RAYMOND C.
2012 Kia Optima
Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5
07/03/2015

hybrid

Great car, minor inherent problems
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GB
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GLEN B.
2012 Kia Optima
Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5
01/30/2016

Kia Optima hybrid

2013 great vehicle, great gas mpg, but terrible low front bumper which has torn off 5 times!!!!!
Recommended
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LH
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Larry H.
2012 Kia Optima
verified customer Verified Owner
Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5
05/04/2019
Verified Review

Love the KIA

Reliable car. The only thing I would change would be to add ability to have 2 automatic seat selections for drivers side. My wife and I need totally different settings.Like rear view camera. Maybe needs to be positioned to give clearer view
Recommended
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GB
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GLEN B.
2012 Kia Optima
verified customer Verified Owner
Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5
09/13/2019
Verified Review

2012 Kia Optima Hybrid

The vehicle is comfortable, powerful and economical. The major problem is a design fault that's the front bumper is too low and the rubber moulding always rips off. The radio has a bad antenna system and even though it has been replaced three or four times the stations come in very poorly and the CD player quit working.
Recommended
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RB
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Rick B.
2012 Kia Optima
verified customer Verified Owner
Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5
09/21/2019
Verified Review

Great car for the price

Fun to drive and comfortable on short to medium trips. Lower back and bottom start to get uncomfortable after about 6 hours on the road. Peppy and responsive engine with good overall performance. Stylish body with lines slightly different from other mid-sized sedans, although I prefer the body and wheels of the 2012 Optima. Road noise is definitely noticeable and clearly not up to the standards of higher priced sedans. Radio reception and fidelity clearly lacking. A/C is average at best and struggles to get the humidity out with the Florida summer heat. This also causes issues with defogging the windows.
Recommended
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RN
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RIC N.
2012 Kia Optima
Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5
05/26/2015

Love My Optima

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Recommended
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HP
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HARRIET P.
2012 Kia Optima
Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5
05/28/2015

I am very comfortable driving my Kia. I is a little road noisy but I can deal with that. The options I have are great and I use most of them when traveling.

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JB
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JANET MARIE B.
2012 Kia Optima
Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5
08/15/2015

Optima Hybid 2012 KIA

Overall Style and performance is great. I very much Love my Hybrid I would recommend to others if they asked.
Recommended
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HL
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HOWARD L.
2012 Kia Optima
Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5
10/10/2015

My Optima

We love being Kia owners. Our Kia is a great car to ride in, fantastic gas mileage on trips and otherwise. She has been a problem free car for us and has all the bells and whistles of your more expensive luxary cars. Would definitely by another one.
Recommended
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AC
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ALAN C.
2012 Kia Optima
Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5
10/16/2015

Kia Optima Hybrid

Best car I've ever owned great gas mileage got from Sun Prairie Wisconsin to New York State on one tank of gas. Like the heated ventilated seats
Recommended
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SF
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SAMANTHA F.
2012 Kia Optima
Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5
10/19/2015

2012 Kia Optima

I LOVE my car. I love everything about it and get compliments on it weekly. Couldn't ask for a better car.
Recommended
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RG
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RICHARD G.
2012 Kia Optima
Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5
11/10/2015

2012 Optima

I was on the way to Mercedes Benz of Seattle when I stopped at Kia of Puyallup. The Optima caught my eye with it's modern styling and great lines. I test drove one. I called Mercedes Benz of Seattle and cancelled my scheduled appointment to test drive a 2011 E350, went home and got my wife, returned to Kia of Puyallup and did another test drive. This vehicle met all of my needs, was very well optioned and I saved over $15,000 (E350). Now, I would not make a comparison between a Optima and a E350 because they are obviously not in the same class, but the Optima's styling, handling, great price point as well as standard features (safety, comfort and convenience) make it very competitive in the car market. If someone had told me 10 years ago I would be driving a Kia now I would have laughed at them. Great job Kia, this is a quality vehicle!
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