Should you buy a USED Kia Optima? What goes WRONG?

It’s probably not the first car that comes to mind if you’re in the market for a family car that doesn’t break the bank. But according to many owners, they’re one of the most underrated cars in the category.

So, what goes wrong with them, what are they like to drive and live with, and should buy a used Kia Optima?

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Skip ahead:
00:00​​​​​​​ - Intro
00:19 - Exterior issues
04:10 - Interior issues
06:26 - Practicality and features
09:58 - What's it like to drive?
12:02 - Mechanical issues?
13:58 - Should you buy it?

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#kia #optima #review #automobile #autoexpert #carreview #carexpert #carenthusiast

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Listen to the podcast!

[davkar]

Had a catastrophic failure of the 2.4l engine at 177k last year, 6 months outside of a 7 year warranty, but because I had a service history with the Townsville Kia dealer, I got a new short motor fully installed under warranty without asking. Took a while, but I was amazed they did it.

[bpgt]

Ex had a 2016 gt with the 2lt turbo. I was honestly so surprised by it in many ways. More features and excellent ride and handling for the price. While the interior is nice, some parts are clearly cheap as chips. Prefered driving it to my 2014 passat tsi
When we broke up it was about 6 years old 100thou ks and no issues other than i think 1 flat tyre

[davidb]

These engines require, like all new engines, an oil and filter change to start with at 1, 000 km, just after run-in. They must be run-in properly.
A dealer will say they are run-in at the factory, but that is crap. They are started and run for 5 minutes, checked for leaks, then turned off. Then oil and filter every 6 months or 5, 000 km, whichever comes first.
Don't do it by handbook times.
These engines, like all new engines, run with fine tolerances. Use the correct viscosity synth oil and no problems. The average new engine at 1, 000 km has around 2, 000–4, 000 parts per million of copper, zinc, and alloy. That needs to be got rid of. By the 3rd oil change, so by 12 months, you will have around 2-6 parts per million and an engine to last for years. If an engine does 12 months with 2, 000-4, 000 parts per million of debris in it, it will be cactus.

[michaelallen]

Just watched your video, currently own a 2017 Si Optima. The elephant in the room with engine issues....213000 km, serviced every 7500km (religiously), not any issues, uses about 700ml between oil changes... gets carbon clean every 15000 - 20000km, fuel economy...on highway low as 5.5 per 100km. Around town 7.5 - 9.0 per 100km (at worst). Had minor issues, boot lid latch replacement, AEB camera replacement, electric park brake replacement.... apart' from that nothing but routine maintenance, (brakes, tyres, wiper blades, fuel filter). I heard your comments regarding automatic gearbox, had it serviced by Kia at km (first time). No issues, all good, overall very reliable, well built car with very few complaints, good reviews guys.

[bradleybyrnes]

I had the previous generation known as the Magentis here in Aus and I loved that car. It haď more get up and go than the same year Camry. It had the better Theta 2 that didn't have any issues. It may have looked boring but it was reliable and good to drive.

[jamay]

My 2016 Hyundai Sonata with the 2.4L failed at 94000km. Was regularly serviced at a private mechanic and surprisingly Hyundai replaced the short block out of good will since it had a good service history and my mechanic verified it was serviced with the right oil, although it did take a lot of back and forth emails.

[Mrt_FX]

Compared to Japanese competitors? These things should be 1/3 of the price.

[lakeside]

I had the 2016 2ltr turbo Gt version fantastic car needed to upgrade to a bigger vehicle would love to buy one back 1 day.

[DavidRamyan-fk]

My dad has had the pre facelift model for the last 12 years and it’s still going strong with around 140, 000km. He did have his engine replaced 70, 000km ago under warranty but it turned out to be a faulty alternator. I was so impressed with his I also bought a lightly used one and had it for 5 years until I traded it for a Stinger. Both of ours were the Platinum model and had the factory nav which was descent for the time. I’m 6ft 3 and found the seats to be pretty comfortable though they are on the firmer side. My old one recently came up for sale and looks to have held up very well in the 6 years since I sold it!

[michaellamb]

Im surprised you didnt mention about the "kia boys" and how easy they are to steal, at least in America

[realvibephotography]

Ditched my Sportage because of oil and engine failure... back to a barra Territory

[burtonsmiddleclassreview]

2.4 litre engine is the worst pile of junk ever put in a Kia/Hyundai.

Could you please do a review on the Kia Rio around 2017/2018 model with a l.4 litre naturally aspirated engine?

Great reviews guys!👍

[Onover]

I had a catastrophic failure on my car as well. 2.4L engine, a year out of warranty. They did a check the year prior and said everything passed, but I got stranded just outside of the Domain tunnel during rush hour - not pleasant at all. Anyway, Kia in Dandenong replaced and installed the engine under warranty. Was a bit surprised the new engine had a 1 year warranty on it though.

[glanciaeltro]

Plenty of door lock actuator failures on Kia/Hyundai models after several years. 1st time I had ever seen door lock failure, particularly bad in hot weather.

[sonicurmind]

Love the show gents... keep it up. Will you please do an episode on the Infinity Q50 petrol and diesel variants?

[Izack]

Was looking to buy a 2017 Optima GT with the 2.0 turbo engine. Hoped Jim would cover it

[SShari-bskx]

is the engine failure only apply to Thetha II engine? in my country they only sell the 2.0 Nu MPI only

[HughesyTech]

Great looking car but glad I bought a Cerato new and not the Optima new, back in 2020 😮

[lukuscannon]

What a lovely review on a Kia optima ohhhh could you guys do a review on the second generation Kia soul? I know it wasn't a very popular car here in Australia. I just really like them 😎

[sentiencepsn]

Here in the States, the only reason anyone would recommend it is the factory ten year warranty. Which is not transferable to the second hand owner. But yeah, they have a horrific reliability reputation here.