2005 Kia Optima Consumer Reviews
Fuel Economy
21 - 23 mpg
Recent Consumer Reviews
(39 Total Reviews)
Not THAT Impressed...
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Kia Optima LX V6 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
Review
Just bought my Kia Optima used not new. I'm used to a sports car so handling is very different, seems jerky to me. Much smoother ride (shocks/suspension) than my old Camaro, but doesn't handle corners/turns well. My first impression is "where is all my gas going?" Just appears to guzzle it. There is a hitch with initial start, kinda jerks when moving from a stand still. Interior is very nice, wood grain, stereo, seating etc. My 6'4" bros had plenty of leg room in back seat. I still have trouble finding the turn signal, seems too high on steering column. :) Overall it's a nice car, just a big transition for me coming from a sports car to a 4 door sedan.
Favorite Features
AC, airbags, warranty.
Suggested Improvements
Keep knocking the cruise controls on steering wheel - need better placement. Smoother turn/corner handling. Better gas mileage - OY!
1 out 2 people found this review helpful
Excellent value with few reservations
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Very well built and well styled car that has a really nice ride quality despite being a small car, and it seems to have the potential of being a very reliable car for the long term as well.
Favorite Features
The exterior styling...the front of the car has garnered comments from people who at first glance think it's a Mercedes Benz or Jaguar because of the unique headlamp arrangement, and the rear styling is very clean and straightforward with just the right amount of chrome.
Suggested Improvements
A few interior details...some pieces of the dash are cheap-looking (the radio and CD storage compartment in particular) and the rear seat is lacking in comfort and knee/toe space. Also, the engine is noisy under acceleration and almost sounds like a diesel when idling after a cold start.
9 out 9 people found this review helpful
Best car I have owned
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Kia Optima EX V6 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I can not understand why this car is not very popular. Have driven it for a year and has never failed me. A point that motor writers do not mention is that this car drives on low octane as well as high octane gas and if required can easily be converted to LPG.
Favorite Features
Engine runs smooth with various fuels which is important for long distant driving. More comfortable than I thought. Everything one needs in a car.
Suggested Improvements
Wheels could be larger. More adjustment on steering wheel. Front fog lights.
2005 Kia Optima LX
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
Review
I am 50 years old and this is my very first new car. Our baby chose a college 3 states away, and although our vehicles were fine for home, I was afraid to drive it over the mountains. I chose the Optima initially for the safety features. I love the way it handles mountain curves at high speed. Even with my heavy foot I average 24.8 miles to the gallon in town and an amazing 30 to 35 on those long hauls. Nothing is comfortable after 6.5 hours, but at least there is enough room to shift positions. The only thing I don't like is the way the car squats in a quick brake, but at least it stops! I love my car, and am going to help my daughter choose a Kia.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
9 out 9 people found this review helpful
I Really Like This Car!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Kia Optima EX V6 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I've had this car for about seven months now, and I'm surprised at how much I like it. It is comfortable, smooth, powerful enough, and incredibly easy to drive. I have owned and driven a good number of luxury cars, but right now, I'm more pleased with my Optima than any of them. We'll see how it goes over the long haul, but I'm still smilin' today! Definitely go with the EX V6 with leather.
Favorite Features
Ride, climate control, stereo, auto lights and rearview mirror. Electronics in general have been excellent!
Suggested Improvements
MPG could be improved. Plastic of center arm rest/storage console is cheap. Better cup holders, rear air vents.
4 out 4 people found this review helpful
Overall....
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Well, I love my Kia. However, I was recently in a car accident, about 2 days ago actually. I hit a semi-truck, his fault, but it happened, the car has remarkably held up, no air bag deployed, which is a major concern of mine. However I received only minor injuries and was released from the hospital. The safety of this car is outstanding! Too bad I had to find out the hard way. On a regular basis, the city mileage is averaging about 20 miles to the gallon. Interstate is awesome! With an average of about 30/32 miles to the gallon! Comfortable, FUN and a car I can be proud of!
Favorite Features
CD Player, Front end design and interior structure, sound system.
Suggested Improvements
Leg room for passengers and headroom for all riders.
10 out 10 people found this review helpful
Kia Krazy
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Kia Optima EX V6 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
Review
This car is well built for a Kia. The 2.7 liter v6 is quite peppy and smooth. The transmission is very smooth and the Infinity sound system is great. The leather seat are more comfortable than I expected and with all these options and quality it's weird to see the price.
Favorite Features
My favorite features on this car is the smooth v6 and Infinity sound system.
Suggested Improvements
Kia should give this car a optional navigation system and optional sport suspension, and maybe a boot in power to about 200 or 220hp.
After Head On Crash -- bought 2nd Optima!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Kia Optima EX V6 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I bought my first Kia Optima early 2004 & was in a severe head on collision December of the same year. The other party was going about 60-65mph while I was at a complete stop. I sustained severe injuries to my ankle, & my car was totaled from the impact. I felt so confident w/the outcome of the collision, that I immediately went back to the dealership to negotiate my SECOND Kia Optima. The car rides smooth, & I get compliments on the "look" of the car with people asking me all the time..."What type of car is that?" When I tell them it's a Kia, they look amazed. When I tell them my story--jaws drop! I WOULD recommend the OPTIMA to anyone looking for a classy, sharp car at reasonable cost!
Favorite Features
Both the exterior and interior look. The woodgrain feature makes the inside look very sharp and more expensive. Nice factory sound system also. Overall a very very nice vehicle for around $20,000.00!
Suggested Improvements
Don't particularly like the way the leather interior "feels". Otherwise, I like ALL the features of my Kia Optima. (twice over since I bought 2 of them within one year).
3 out 3 people found this review helpful
the gas miser
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
Review
This is a tight handling car; handles curves with ease; good on gas; has plenty of power on mountains -- in other words a great car.
Favorite Features
The sound system is great; again the awesome power this car has.
Suggested Improvements
Better drivers seat -- not for tall person.
4 out 4 people found this review helpful
Solid Car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Kia Optima LX V6 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I am converted to Kia. This car excels all of my expectations for the money. You know that if a company backs up a car with such a warranty, they know they are going to still make a profit. With the new innovations of the sister company Hyundai, I can see even better things coming from Kia and for this specific model.
Favorite Features
Fully Loaded at a great price. You will be driving a strip-down Camry or Accord for that price, if even.
Suggested Improvements
More head room.
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