Owner reviews for the Kia Optima
No edits, no filters—just real feedback from verified vehicle owners to help you make confident decisions.
Overall rating 4.5/5Practical, safe and well-equipped, the Kia Optima is an easy choice if you want space, value and a low-stress ownership experience.
AA finance available
London
Welling
London
West Drayton
AA finance available
Uxbridge
AA finance available
Waltham Abbey
No edits, no filters—just real feedback from verified vehicle owners to help you make confident decisions.
Overall rating 4.5/5The Kia Optima is a roomy family saloon – also available as the Kia Optima Sportswagon estate – with a reputation for strong value and generous standard kit. It’s designed for drivers who need comfort, space and peace of mind for longer journeys, making it a natural fit for families and business users. Sold in the UK from 2012 to 2021, the Kia Optima received a major update in 2016, gaining sharper styling, improved tech and extra safety features. Compared with rivals like the Ford Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat, it stands out for its long warranty, low running costs and relaxed motorway manners. Most examples use efficient diesel engines, with later models adding a petrol plug-in hybrid option. Comfort-focused rather than sporty, the Kia Optima offers a stable, quiet ride, a generous boot and plenty of safety and infotainment equipment as standard. Even today, it’s a smart, practical choice if you want easy living for less.
You’ll find plenty of safety kit, including multiple airbags, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, lane-keeping assist and autonomous emergency braking on most models. Go for a later version and you could also get blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert – great for extra peace of mind.
Most UK models come with a 1.7-litre CRDi diesel – economical and ideal if you cover a lot of miles. From 2016, some trims switched to a 1.6-litre diesel, and a petrol plug-in hybrid joined the line-up. If you spot an early, pre-2016 model with a 2.0-litre petrol or petrol-hybrid engine, know they’re rare and often better suited to lower-mileage use.
Even mid-spec Kia Optimas have plenty to keep you connected, with a touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, DAB radio and a reversing camera. Higher trims bring extras like built-in sat nav, premium audio, heated seats and, on newer examples, wireless phone charging.
Officially, the 1.7-litre diesel can return up to 67 mpg, though in real life you’re more likely to see 50–55 mpg. The plug-in hybrid can be even more efficient if you charge it regularly. Petrol versions are harder to find and average around 40 mpg.
It’s worth making sure the car’s been serviced on time – ideally at a Kia dealer to keep any remaining warranty intact. Check for bumper scuffs, test the infotainment and climate systems, and look for any windscreen chips. For complete peace of mind, book The AA Vehicle Inspection.
Yes – most owners find them dependable. Reported issues tend to be with smaller electrical items and are usually sorted quickly under warranty. Kia’s seven-year cover is one of the longest out there, which says a lot about its confidence in the Kia Optima’s long-term reliability.