Proud owner of 2012 Optima Ex... I just could wait til the entire world believes in KIA before I got one... everyone loves my car. I guess they think it can't be real...but it is that nice. The verdict is out on whether or not it will be reliable into high milage territory... I only have 7000 on it now... and its been lovely. I just love walking to it in a parking lot. There isnt 20 clones of it like accord,Camry,ultima, Malibu and fusion... so I'm a Guinea Pig of some sort...but I believe!
This guy has to nitpick every little detail. The steering wheel looks fine to me. In fact, the steering wheel is HEATED. How's that for cheapness. Also, who cares where the ipod connect is. I'm just happy to have an ipod connect at all. Also, he talks about "luxury", almost as if it's a bad thing. Maybe people want luxury at a decent price. Damn this guy doesn't know anything.
No, It doesn't. It is geared for mid range. It will pump down the road at 120mph w/o breaking a sweat. My 2012 EX has 29k and NO problems=, TSB's, recalls, etc. I love mine. I paid 21,800 for my EX in December 23rd 2011, and it still looks b rand new. At my present rate my car will be paid for at 55k. I extended the warranty to full coverage for 10 years, so my daughter can take it to college with 45,000 miles left on the warranty... and it will be paid for. Me? My sights are on a slightly used BMW 335i . For now though, I bought a set of Megan Street Series 32 position coilovers that can raise and lower the car 2". Should help with the admittedly dull handling.
I'll knock you down a couple points for the O'Reilly reference too, but I liked the review for a few reasons. First, while I like this car more than you do, yours is one of the few detailed, professional, negative reviews out there. Most everyone else in the media has been falling all over themselves about this car. Your piece was different, and I appreciate seeing another perspective. Also, I thought your on-camera personality was good and very natural. Not many people pull this off well.
That was a great review. It wasn't just a test drive with a 0 to 60 launch, and he also did a very good job at explaining the pros and cons of this car, as it measures up to other cars in the segment.
Jeez, KIA and HYUNDAI are not cheap imitations anymore. Every car in this price class has some level of cheapness. Toyota, Honda, Nissan all have more cheapness now.
the styling of the optima is at the top of the class but honestly as the reviewer in the video said, the smart buy here is a camry or accord because of their reliability and extra refinement. I would wait until a mid cycle refresh to consider purchasing an optima, because this one is just missing a few things here and there.
That was a great review/ I just purchased a 2011 LX manual model today/ I agree withe the cheapness of the interior/ However the torque of the furst 3 gears is more powerful than any other 4 banger I test drove. It;s easy to make thise car look like 400.000 dollar BMW with a few simple upgrades. It's quick for a four banger.
altima and mazda6, kizashi for fun. Sonata and optima for exterior styling. New camry for mpg and accord reliability, passat for diesel, fusion and malibu for complete S*&^%, legacy for AWD, Kizashi for best interior and bang for the buck
I agree Ross about being detailed in 1 area and not in another. That drives me nuts when I go to a restaurant and they're trying to be fancy with the linen napkins and china but have cheap salt and pepper shakers and diner style sugar dispenser and mix match silverware. So, it's the same with the Kia. Either you are or you aren't
I drove an Altima and This, Altima wins hands down. Altima's v6 and 4 cylinder is so much better than the 2.4-2.0t motor kia/hyundai use, all Nissan needs is a decent designer, the guy who is doing their recent designs including infiniti sucks.
Reviewer forgot to add price of extended warranty to Altima. It would cost at least $4000 extra to match Kia's 10-years warranty. So it's still much cheaper for the same amount of features. As about "fun to drive". If you really need it then by Corvette! I do not get this "fun to drive" when you deal with family sedan. Here safety and comfort should be the must and Optima have it.
Korean cars are always great on paper, but when you get behind the wheel in one, there’s always something. The way I see it the Japanese still have the pleasant surprise factor, I look at the new Camry and say to myself, ‘wow, compared to the sonata and the optima that sure looks bland’. But somehow I know I’d probably still enjoy driving and living with a Camry more than the two.
Lol I love it when reviewer goes every detail to find things they dislike. In this case this guy tries really really hard. Does anybody expect to get soft touch grade A materials inside and out from 20k car? It was funny though when he commented how he doesn't like the steering wheel styling lol
Sad for Budget shoppers, they thought about Kia and after optioned out, the car is even more expensive than all the other ones, Thanks KIA, now no body can afford your car.
This is a good looking car although I must seat and feel it to see if it feels better than my honda accord. The price for the EX version is only $27.000 and that is something to consider.
@VelocityCCX i usually don't trust motor trend due to the fact that their awards and comparison tests are bought, but I do have a friend with a sonata 2.4 and it hits 60 in about 8 seconds. ive also seen turbo models hit 60 in around 6.0-6.2 seconds
I totally agree with reviewer, features are great and low price, and they do try hard, but details not up to par to distinguish itself from camry/accord
Kia is stil Kia and no matter how much they imrpvoe the quality of their cars, its still a Kia. I honestly thing a name change would do them a world of good. Hyundai is doing a better job with their name brand recognition and image than Kia is IMO.
Clearly this guy has something against this car because it damn sure doesn't feel slow and you cannot even compare half the options you get in this vehicle to any Japanese or American competitor...They will always loose and if they compare a 2012 its even worse : better seating, nicer steering wheel leather , and they didn't even mention that it has HEATED REAR SEATS!!
I find it funny that the comments that are now being said about the Kia were the same being said about hyundai's products about five years ago...it is very hard for Honda people to admit that perhaps the Koreans have made a better car...hmmm? And dude, what's up with your clothes, you used to dress pretty well?
@Taureg96 Motor trend is producing fictitious numbers I have some of the cars motortrend reviews and I track monthly some how I'm always up to 1.5 seconds slower then motor trend. I think it has a lot to do with what kind of gas your putting in, what kind of climate your in (oxygen rich or poor) and even the weight of the driver.
@fvgotch Yep... I thought the same! it didn't sound like a "normal" review... Saying it's slow to 60 but one "other" that is 0.5s faster, is ok... like you notice 0.5s in "real life"!
@datpimpinboy Yea, I agree. I bought myself a 07 Altima 6 months ago & they look the best & are fun to drive & powerful. I have the 4-cylinder version with the CVT & man it's powerful, especially for a 4-cylinder.
i am really impressed with kia and hyundai; they've really gotten their act together and now make really nice cars
Proud owner of 2012 Optima Ex... I just could wait til the entire world believes in KIA before I got one... everyone loves my car. I guess they think it can't be real...but it is that nice. The verdict is out on whether or not it will be reliable into high milage territory... I only have 7000 on it now... and its been lovely. I just love walking to it in a parking lot. There isnt 20 clones of it like accord,Camry,ultima, Malibu and fusion... so I'm a Guinea Pig of some sort...but I believe!
Radiorah100 How is the vehicle doing? Still reliable?
lol 9 seconds? did you leave the e-brake on or something?
This guy has to nitpick every little detail. The steering wheel looks fine to me. In fact, the steering wheel is HEATED. How's that for cheapness. Also, who cares where the ipod connect is. I'm just happy to have an ipod connect at all. Also, he talks about "luxury", almost as if it's a bad thing. Maybe people want luxury at a decent price. Damn this guy doesn't know anything.
this car is insane! you have to see it in real life! pictures dont make justice
No, It doesn't. It is geared for mid range. It will pump down the road at 120mph w/o breaking a sweat. My 2012 EX has 29k and NO problems=, TSB's, recalls, etc. I love mine. I paid 21,800 for my EX in December 23rd 2011, and it still looks b rand new. At my present rate my car will be paid for at 55k. I extended the warranty to full coverage for 10 years, so my daughter can take it to college with 45,000 miles left on the warranty... and it will be paid for.
Me? My sights are on a slightly used BMW 335i . For now though, I bought a set of Megan Street Series 32 position coilovers that can raise and lower the car 2". Should help with the admittedly dull handling.
I love how Roadfly spends a lot of time on the interior. Most reviewers don't - and really, we spend most of our time in there. Well done.
I'll knock you down a couple points for the O'Reilly reference too, but I liked the review for a few reasons. First, while I like this car more than you do, yours is one of the few detailed, professional, negative reviews out there. Most everyone else in the media has been falling all over themselves about this car. Your piece was different, and I appreciate seeing another perspective.
Also, I thought your on-camera personality was good and very natural. Not many people pull this off well.
That was a great review. It wasn't just a test drive with a 0 to 60 launch, and he also did a very good job at explaining the pros and cons of this car, as it measures up to other cars in the segment.
Jeez, KIA and HYUNDAI are not cheap imitations anymore. Every car in this price class has some level of cheapness. Toyota, Honda, Nissan all have more cheapness now.
Nice review, but the elevator music was killing me. Lol.
the styling of the optima is at the top of the class but honestly as the reviewer in the video said, the smart buy here is a camry or accord because of their reliability and extra refinement. I would wait until a mid cycle refresh to consider purchasing an optima, because this one is just missing a few things here and there.
I love my 2012 Kia optima ex! :-) just got it 2 weeks ago
Let Emme review the Kias, she is much better at them
That was a great review/ I just purchased a 2011 LX manual model today/ I agree withe the cheapness of the interior/ However the torque of the furst 3 gears is more powerful than any other 4 banger I test drove. It;s easy to make thise car look like 400.000 dollar BMW with a few simple upgrades. It's quick for a four banger.
you rock!!! you just make so much sence, and I have not know you sound like a commercial. keep it going.
Motor trend hit 60 in 7.9 I don't know why it took him over 9 seconds!
altima and mazda6, kizashi for fun. Sonata and optima for exterior styling. New camry for mpg and accord reliability, passat for diesel, fusion and malibu for complete S*&^%, legacy for AWD, Kizashi for best interior and bang for the buck
I agree Ross about being detailed in 1 area and not in another. That drives me nuts when I go to a restaurant and they're trying to be fancy with the linen napkins and china but have cheap salt and pepper shakers and diner style sugar dispenser and mix match silverware. So, it's the same with the Kia. Either you are or you aren't
I drove an Altima and This, Altima wins hands down. Altima's v6 and 4 cylinder is so much better than the 2.4-2.0t motor kia/hyundai use, all Nissan needs is a decent designer, the guy who is doing their recent designs including infiniti sucks.
Ross my dude,
you just earned my complete respect.
Ross,just out of curiosity, how come we don't see you guys reviewing some super cars and/or pickup trucks???
Great report....Price point is still undercutting all manufacturers but the drivetrain is still not even close to being close to mature decent ride..
Reviewer forgot to add price of extended warranty to Altima. It would cost at least $4000 extra to match Kia's 10-years warranty. So it's still much cheaper for the same amount of features.
As about "fun to drive". If you really need it then by Corvette! I do not get this "fun to drive" when you deal with family sedan. Here safety and comfort should be the must and Optima have it.
YOU STILL OWE US THE 2012 BOSS MUSTANG REVIEW!
Korean cars are always great on paper, but when you get behind the wheel in one, there’s always something. The way I see it the Japanese still have the pleasant surprise factor, I look at the new Camry and say to myself, ‘wow, compared to the sonata and the optima that sure looks bland’. But somehow I know I’d probably still enjoy driving and living with a Camry more than the two.
I prefer the Sonata, but i like these far better than the old man looking Accord sedan.
I have a 2011 Optima. If you take it off eco and hit the gas it will throw you back in your seat.
It can get up and go with the best of them.
So...did they crash the Boss 302? Nice review btw.
+1 for the O'Reilly reference! Excellent review Ross.
Lol I love it when reviewer goes every detail to find things they dislike. In this case this guy tries really really hard. Does anybody expect to get soft touch grade A materials inside and out from 20k car? It was funny though when he commented how he doesn't like the steering wheel styling lol
Sad for Budget shoppers, they thought about Kia and after optioned out, the car is even more expensive than all the other ones, Thanks KIA, now no body can afford your car.
Thinking bout getting this car what do you guys think? rn I own a 08 Honda Civic Ex 4D
This is a good looking car although I must seat and feel it to see if it feels better than my honda accord. The price for the EX version is only $27.000 and that is something to consider.
It looks like a Lexus GS...very nice styling.
P/s: the exterior design were awesome, and no one can deny that
i would take this over any other midsize sedan except the sonata and fusion
did they do this review already......or was it on another Kia?
@VelocityCCX i usually don't trust motor trend due to the fact that their awards and comparison tests are bought, but I do have a friend with a sonata 2.4 and it hits 60 in about 8 seconds. ive also seen turbo models hit 60 in around 6.0-6.2 seconds
I am not a buyer, seller nor an owner... but I am like that ;-)
I totally agree with reviewer, features are great and low price, and they do try hard, but details not up to par to distinguish itself from camry/accord
+1 for the video
-1 for the car.
It would be nice if they offered the turbo with the manual transmission
Ross, why do you like O'reilly and Sarah Palin?
Kia is stil Kia and no matter how much they imrpvoe the quality of their cars, its still a Kia. I honestly thing a name change would do them a world of good. Hyundai is doing a better job with their name brand recognition and image than Kia is IMO.
Holly shi... Apples gonna sue him for using and iPod on the review without authorization XD
I want you guys to review a 2011 Dodge Avenger with the new 3.6L.
@hallassracing549 Dis you find the steering wheel on your tester as awful?
so the current design chief for kia and hyundai is Walter d;Silva? if so that would explain why i really like the looks of kia and hyundai now, h
Clearly this guy has something against this car because it damn sure doesn't feel slow and you cannot even compare half the options you get in this vehicle to any Japanese or American competitor...They will always loose and if they compare a 2012 its even worse : better seating, nicer steering wheel leather , and they didn't even mention that it has HEATED REAR SEATS!!
I find it funny that the comments that are now being said about the Kia were the same being said about hyundai's products about five years ago...it is very hard for Honda people to admit that perhaps the Koreans have made a better car...hmmm? And dude, what's up with your clothes, you used to dress pretty well?
Where is the Mustang Boss review!!? :(
way look better than 2012 new Toyota camry~
Man... that car looks huge... he can barely see over the steering wheel!
@ericj305 Weirdly, the transmission is poorly tuned compared to the Hyundai Sonata which is again very strange.
I agree with his steering comments... The design really sucks.... and the dashboard also.
I think you need your eyes checked. I'm not even kidding.
The background music was kinda...ehhhhh...annoying.
is that guy small? or is that car really big?
They need to get the new one with the LEd Lights in the front. America so slow wit Phones and cars. Thats just my p.o.v dont hate
Why are people looking at his shoes?
It was a great review...to the point.
@Taureg96 Motor trend is producing fictitious numbers I have some of the cars motortrend reviews and I track monthly some how I'm always up to 1.5 seconds slower then motor trend. I think it has a lot to do with what kind of gas your putting in, what kind of climate your in (oxygen rich or poor) and even the weight of the driver.
this guy is too bias
What's up with the elevator music?
the music doesnt fit the video...its kinda out of place
Is it me or does Ross have a cold or something?
Would love to see a vid on 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse
its like a sexier accord
@fvgotch Yep... I thought the same! it didn't sound like a "normal" review... Saying it's slow to 60 but one "other" that is 0.5s faster, is ok... like you notice 0.5s in "real life"!
Not fun to drive? PSH! i think it is. A very nice car! I love mine!
@Rancidknewl Whats wrong with Kia? This is what our fathers used to say about Japanese cars 30years age! Try to be more open minded!
We have one and love it!
geez, cars sold in america have terrible MPG
@datpimpinboy Yea, I agree. I bought myself a 07 Altima 6 months ago & they look the best & are fun to drive & powerful. I have the 4-cylinder version with the CVT & man it's powerful, especially for a 4-cylinder.
What the hell is up with the shitty background music?
I don't even like Kia that much but u are way to negative about it... Considering u are a "car reviewer" ....,
This is somehow a biased review! since it is Kia, you don't want to accept that it is better than Altima! or other Japanese competitors!
Dude, why do you speak as if you are talking to grade 10 English learners from Korea?
Same goes for the 2011 Sonata ... the steering wheel looks and feels cheaply made.
Ross's whistle lisp is hurting my ears >.
Ross, iron your clothes !
nice
Strikes me as a Korea hater...Love both of mine.
Hyundai sonata still looks better.
@davesecx no he's just boring
Excellent review...as balanced as a honda fan can be. ;-)
@nemea101 wow, your very emotional about a car review. that why you go out and test drive before you purchase a car. to get your own opinion.
Shoes are weird. Can't trust a man wearing weird eel skin running flats with cargo shorts.
great review!
This car just kicks the crap... hahaha.. oh Ross..
@HereOrDer No he is just a dwarf....lol
@nellhicks91 in your dreams...
Cut or uncut?
Who cares about a Freakn steering wheel!
This whole video is negative
Bad Car, Bad Company
ROSSSSSSS! bamf.
baffled
Your too negative
@tjstreeter lol