Kia Optima??

[jhynesrockmtn]

Curious as to reaction to the new Kia Optima. I'm not in the market currently but could see buying a daily driver in a year or two. I wouldn't have previously considered a Hundyai or Kia but this car looks pretty good either in 4 cyl normally aspirated or turbo form. The reviews on the hybrid version are not good. Anyone driven or looked at one?

[kaisen]

Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata are the same under the skin... just cosmetic preference. I prefer the Hyundai. I've driven lots of them, and I really like them. So do the automotive journalists, although they expect BMW handling and steering feel which these do NOT provide..... they are appliances, and rather soft as consumers of appliances (think Camry) prefer. The Turbo versions are pretty awesome, and still get very good fuel economy. That's the way I'd go if thinking of NEW. There are way too many cheap rental returns out there used, and very few turbos, so if used you'd likely get a N/A version.

Remember that when purchased used, the 10 year / 100K powertrain warranty disappears (but still 60K).

Overall, I'd buy one before a lot of the competition. I'd buy one over a Camry.

[algs911]

I'd think you'd be crazy not to look at the options Kia and Hyundai offer these days. Seems as if the other Asia/Pac players have rested on their laurels (Honda, esp., but I also find the Toyota "bore me to death" machine vomitous.).

Drive them! I considered purchasing one, but I went with a 2012 Jetta TDI wagon and have not looked back.

Al

[Mr_Wizard]

Buddy of mine has the Turbo Optima w/ all the bells and whistles. Pretty sweet car. Has some get up and go and great gas mileage (especially compared to my 06 Wrangler). If I was in the market for a car I would surely look at.

[Robert Adams]

I think I see an opor 'tune' ity here for somebody to develop a suspension & performance upgrade, except skip those ridiculous can exhausts. These cars all have awesome style for the money, but the ones I've driven don't handle as well as my 9 year old John Deer. Tire & wheel upgrade might help too.
Just sayin..

[Justin@Athens]

Buyer retention on both Hyundai's and Kia's are excellent--so people apparently really like these marques now--and generally buy another when they wear one out.

In fact, Hyundai is number one this year according to JD power!
Kia is #5.

Here is the link:
J.D. Power Names Automakers with Highest Customer Retention Rates

[don911]

I'm currently in the market and looked at the optima as an A4 alternative. I like the looks of it and all the option. I didn't like the way I fit in the car. With the panarama roof, the're not a lot of head room.