Kia has really turned over a new leaf with their cars in the past few years, and the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid is certainly no exception. With the same attractive design as the Optima, higher fuel efficiency, and a smaller carbon footprint, the Optima Hybrid is a great mid-size sedan for getting around town or hitting the road for a family vacation.
Key Features
Among the many options available for the Optima Hybrid, the heated seats and heated steering wheel really stand out, as does the voice-activated audio system. The standard USB inputs are also a great feature on all of the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid trims.
Changes for 2012
2012 was the second year that Kia offered the Optima in a hybrid model, so there weren’t a lot of major changes, just a few minor tweaks and upgrades. These included power-folding mirrors and Kia’s UVO voice-activated eight-speaker audio system for the EX and SX trim models. The LX trims also got a few improvements, as well, including automatic headlights.
What We Like
The 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid is one of the most attractive hybrid sedans out there. While you’d enjoy getting 35 miles to the gallon in the city and 40 on the highway in any car, it helps that this one has styling to compete with much more expensive European models.
What Concerns Us
The resale values on the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid are better than previous Kia models, but they still aren’t quite as good as resale values on equivalent Toyota and Honda models.
Available Models
Whether you choose the base model or any of the higher-end trims, it’s what’s under the hood that matters. The 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid comes with:
- Engine – 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder hybrid
- Power – 166 HP at 6000 RPM (gas) / 40 HP at 1400-6000 RPM (electric)
- Torque – 154 lb-ft at 4250 (gas) / 152 lb-ft at 0-1400 (electric)
- Fuel economy (MPG city/highway) – 35/40
Major Recalls
There have been no major recalls on the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid.
Common Issues
Drivers have found very little to complain about with this model. A few drivers have complained of loss of braking power when coming to a stop or a jerking transmission when decelerating. These issues are not the norm by far, but you should keep them in mind when shopping for a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid.
