Here's the 2014 Kia Optima Review on Everyman Driver

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[SonnyMiller]

Great video Dave! I currently own a 2013 Kia Optima SXL and I've raced my SXL against my friends Ford Fusion Titanium, Mitsubishi Lancer EVO, Subaru WRX and Lexus IS350. In a 1 Mile drag race, my Optima wiped the floor with the Fusion, EVO and WRX. I crossed the finish line with about 6 car lengths between us! And, I beat the Lexus on a curvy 3 mile road in the turns due to the Optima's wide wheel base. So turning was quick and allowed me to get the win! Thanks for posting a review of this magnificent car!!! By the way my SXL is High Gloss Black with black tinted windows, and Black interior Nappa Leather! It looks extremely exotic and I always get compliments on it when people see the red brake calipers against the black car and Polished Limited Edition Rims. Kia has definitely come up in the world!!!

[AndrewJohnson-euxc]

I have a 2012 Kia Optima Turbo and anyone that thinks this car is not well made or is not fast is plain stupid. Over the years I have owned and driven many different kinds of cars from performance cars to family sedans. The Turbo Optima SX has a speed limiter that kicks in at 153 miles an hour. What time in automotive history is 153 miles an hour not fast. If the limiter is deactivated it will hit 161 miles an hour. As far as top speed is concerned the Turbo Optima is one of the fastest family sedans in its class if not the fastest. The zero to sixty time of 6.4 is not bad either although the 2012 V6 Camry, V6 Accord, V6 Passat are a little quicker but the Turbo Optima would humilate these cars on the open highway. This is fact not opinion. People need to pay attention to engineering instead of being badge dummies.

[beckd]

Nice review Dave.  I have a 2013 SX turbo.  Thought I might post a few of the "small" things that are a very common problem for these cars.  First is the gas door.  A lot of people have had trouble with the gas door not opening when the button is pushed.  It seems the spring on the door comes from the factory with a light setting.  If you reach in there with your thumb and bend it a little, it creates more tension and, walla, the gas door opens every time.  BTW, the dealer did that to my gas door, that's how I know.  Also, I'm a taller guy (6'1") and I had my driver's seat power all the way to the bottom for head room.  I noticed the seat shifting a little when cornering.  A little research lead me to find that when it's bottomed out, the track system is relaxed and allows a slight bit of movement.  By barely raising the seat, the track system engages and the shifting stops.  All in all I like this car.  I drove a 2007 BMW 328xi for a long years prior to trading it for this car.  Once I got the little things figured out, the car is very pleasant to drive and the driver's "cockpit" is very nice.  Plus, for the price point, you can't beat all the features, plus the warrenty.  After 10k miles, I'll be keeping it for a long time.  Keep up the good reviews!!

[jameslepair]

Great video Dave. Unfortunately we don't get the KIA Optima SX Turbo here in the Seychelles. So I went for the KIA Optima 2 Litre with the Sports package. Looks exactly like your tester vehicle from the outside. I'm very impressed with the quality and finish of this vehicle and you would never feel that it is a KIA,  this car oozes quality like a premium brand. I never thought that one day I will own a KIA, never in a million years, but i'm glad I do. Cheers Dave

[ssonera]

Very good review. I actually just got home from a test driving an Optima SX Turbo. I loved it. Very nice car. Kia is really stepping it up. I can't wait to get one.

[TheJackEbrown]

I love my 2011 kia optima sx turbo. It was a bit uncomfortable at first til I broke the seats in and the ride is a bit harsh but it handles great in the curves. Its fast as heck too. I just raced a 5.0 litre mustang on a curvy road the other day and totally out handled him. Very nimble car. Great passenger room. I'm a big guy and smaller cars usually drive me crazy. I'm a bit claustrophobic thus the reason I had to have the panaramic roof. Honestly....I bought it for the amazing sound system. It totally makes my tunes rock. I love the USB input. All my music is on a 32gb usb memory stick I purchased for about $25. NO need to spend $300+ on an ipod.. My only complaint about the stereo is you have to hit 'random' everytime you restart the car. That is so annoying and then it plays the same few songs everytime until it actually goes into a real random pattern. Now that summer is coming I'm loving the cooled seats. Like sitting on a block of ice. The only problem I've had is the engine was replaced after a spark plug exploded and like a dummy I kept trying to restart it thus scoring the cylinder wall with the fragments. Kia of course replaced the engine under warranty. Gas mileage could be better but I love to floor it too much!LOL my previous car was a mercury sable..so you know i'm loving this car!LOL Is Spicy Red and very sexy!! 

[canomalo]

you forgot to signal at 5:15 when you made that turn and also you have a rip on your sleeve by your wrist on the left arm

[cyang]

Did you even find that go pro from the 4runner video?

[ultravioletrayz]

I noticed that in both this review and in the 0-60 time trials you didn't utilize the drive mode select feature and I was curious as to why you didn't?  The drive mode select adjusts the steering weight and transmission shift points which would have a noticeable impact on both 0-60 times and steering feel.  I own a 2104 Optima SXL and can tell you from experience that the difference in acceleration and steering response is much improved when in the sport mode.  I'd love to see an update to both videos utilizing the sports mode of the drive mode select feature.  Keep up the good work!

[bzgent]

Hey Dave, I am shopping for a mid size sedan that fuel efficient. I'm seriously considering Honda accord touring and Kia optima SX turbo. Which one do you recommend?

[eddiehizo]

I owned a 2014 kia Optima but it's not a turbo. But it is still fast and the handling on the corner is excellent. I smoked a toyota camry and a ford SUV that was trying to race me in a hill climb and I beat them!!

[andyadam]

I am confused, can you help me? I am trying to buy a car but I am so confused. What do you think is better. The ford fusion, kia optima, accord, Malibu, or sonata. I am looking forward to your respond. To be honest, I like the fusion and the Malibu! Any ideas?

[govinj]

Sorry dave but im pretty sure the keyless entry feature is not a new feature on this vehicle, it has been available from the refresh since 2011.

[HappyHappyPanda]

Im curious what car do you drive Dave?

[TheTallMan]

Steering a bit light and throttle response could be better especially off the line? You must have been in economy mode, or perhaps they don't offer different driver modes in the trim level you were testing.

[stevewierzbicki]

Hi Dave, Have You ever noticed that it is Next to Impossible to find a Review / Video on a Base model of Any Vehicle?  I just find this slightly odd; since most vehicles purchased are the Base model with an Extra Option or two.

[digitaltouch]

Fantastic job bro, the car is nice for the price. Not to sue about the turbo badge on the side of the car.

[StormAutoAdventures]

You probably had the setting in economy or whatever it's called instead of normal or sport mode.  I know the steering is a little heavier with a few other differences when in sport mode.  At least it felt that way when I test drove one a few months ago. 

[adrianarreola]

What was the average gas mileage in the city? I don't drive much on the highway so i wanted to know what you were averaging in the city, thanks

[A_guan]

Dave why didn't kia send the sxL turbo?