2003 Kia Optima | Read Owner Reviews, Prices, Specs

Crash Test Rating

Source NHTSA

MPG (up to)

20 -22 City / 27 -30 HWY

Source FuelEconomy.gov

Horsepower

138 -170

Seats

5

Positive Owner Reviews

Fz P

Great mileage and safe to drive.

Great car, good mileage, never any repair problems if you service it regularly. Would definitely buy again and recommend.

Amy J

It has a DVD player and CD player.

Love this car it fits my family of 5, great gas mileage and stylishness. Down fall is I have 3 growing kids I will have a hard time fitting into this car in the very near future. We haven't had any major issues with his car.

Lori M

The life and time of a 2003 Kia optima.

Well when I bought my Kia it was the top of the line for Kia, mine looks like a Cadillac inside, since then they have come up with the cadenza and another vehicle. Very nice cars, I have been told that mine has an unusual grill. I have almost 300, 000 miles on mine its been a great car, it has never left me stranded. I tell everyone everywhere I go what a great car it is.

Jana D

It looks like c**p, but drives great, and the A/C blows very cold.

It's an old car, but it runs so good I hate to buy a new one and have a car payment. It has had very little maintenance/work done on it and seems to thrive. I literally have never changed the brake pads and have been driving it for over 14 years.

Angelica G

Good size ample sitting with plenty of legroom for all>.

Haven't really had any problems with my car. It performs really good since I received it, in 2013 and it is up to 300,000 plus mile and it's barely starting to miss a little but otherwise it is still working good. I rely on it a lot and it's been great in all types of weather. I have slept in my car several times and it was great! Also it fits all the people I need to have with me. Its basic but great for me I highly recommend this make and model to everyone. I am planning to look for another one when this one is done.

Penne D

Any problems have been easy to fix without taking to a shop. Son was in an accident and was not hurt due to the great build of this car. Has great response.

Handles well on the road. Comfortable to drive. Very well built.

Robert H

Good budget and gas friendly car.

The car is really well made and reliable. The cloth seats on the inside are really nice and comfy for long car rides. The gas mileage for the car is also good for the price (about 30mpg). The car has some get up and go. It is very lightweight and turning in the car feels like you are driving a go-kart. Very fun.

Cynthia G

This vehicle has been very reliable. Not many problems.

I really like my Kia optima. Size of car is just as I like. Performance has been good. I like the body style. I have cruise control which is very convenient. Air conditioning works very well. . I have side airbags. My seats are very. Comfortable. They are cloth. I have a four door which makes entering and exit very comfortable. This has been a reliable car and I haven't really had many problems with it. I have replaced a fuel pump and one belt in the time I have owned my vehicle. I have not had many repairs on this vehicle. This has been a very good vehicle. Looking forward in the future to perhaps purchase a new Kia optima. The newer models have a beautiful new body style. I only have 68, 000 miles which is great for the year. I give this car an. Excellent review. I would buy this car all over again.

Negative Owner Reviews

Jasmine B

It is a very reliable car overall if you take care of it.

Just want new. Not only that it has some damage due to weather and people's carelessness. Not a bad care though.

Belitha B

They are smooth cars to drive in my opinion.

My KIA Optima is a 2003 car. It is a pretty good running car. As long as you keep up the maintenance and take care of it. After 10 months of having my vehicle I took my car to the shop and they told me I need to get a new engine.

Alicia C

It is comfortable and runs smoothly.

I have only had issues with the shocks and steering. I have had two belts break but that is about it.

Bruce T

It is the perfect size for me to be honest.

I broke a engine mount that is about it, the locking mechanism is broken for most of them so I fixed that.

Sherman T

Good car good gas good deal.

My 2003 Kia Optima is silver with a sunroof. Took a while to get used to but it runs good. Heat air conditioner leather seats. Good on gas very reliable to and from work to and from states also. But I love my car do not know what I'd do without it. Thank you for your time and interest.

Katherine G

It's a newer car and really doesn't need anything.

No problems with it other than the struts need replaced and the brakes need redone. Normal wear and year maintenance maintained.

Rachel R

I like that it can accelerate quickly when needed. I dislike the difficulty in getting parts when things break down or oil changes with the "old car" oil. I complain about the placement of controls like the cruise and windshield wipers.

It's fairly reliable. Although I have my complaints, it gets me from A to B.

Mary B

It was a really nice decently priced car and has been low maintenance till recently

It's been having alot of problems lately bad transmission issues. Alternator issues... Overheating problems. But only hear resent other then that overall a great car

Kia Optima Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

LX

138 HP 26-26 MPG 5 Seats

LX V6

170 HP 24-24 MPG 5 Seats

SE

170 HP 24-24 MPG 5 Seats

Photos may not match model

2003 Kia Optima Owner Reviews

3.73

26 Reviews

Write Review

5 stars

23%

4 stars

38%

3 stars

31%

2 stars

4%

1 star

4%

Katherine G on February 5, 2021

It's a newer car and really doesn't need anything.

No problems with it other than the struts need replaced and the brakes need redone. Normal wear and year maintenance maintained.

Angelica G on February 2, 2021

Good size ample sitting with plenty of legroom for all>.

Haven't really had any problems with my car. It performs really good since I received it, in 2013 and it is up to 300,000 plus mile and it's barely starting to miss a little but otherwise it is still working good. I rely on it a lot and it's been great in all types of weather. I have slept in my car several times and it was great! Also it fits all the people I need to have with me. Its basic but great for me I highly recommend this make and model to everyone. I am planning to look for another one when this one is done.

View All Reviews (26)

Ranks #13 Midsize Cars by Owners

The 2003 Kia Optima has an average owner rating of 3.74 out of 5 which ranks it #13 of 16 other Midsize Cars.

1

2003 Subaru Legacy

4.36

2

Tie

2003 Toyota Camry

4.3

13

2003 Kia Optima

3.73

Ranks #3 Midsize Cars by Fuel Economy

The 2003 Kia Optima has a combined MPG of 30 which ranks it #3 of 16 other Midsize Cars.

1

2003 Honda Accord

33 MPG

2

2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

32 MPG

3

Tie

2003 Kia Optima

30 MPG

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Side

Not Rated

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Roof Strength

Not Rated

Driver-side Overlap Front

Not Rated

*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

2003 Kia Optima Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

Positive Owner Reviews

Negative Owner Reviews

Kia Optima Models

2003 Kia Optima Owner Reviews

Ranks #13 Midsize Cars by Owners

Ranks #3 Midsize Cars by Fuel Economy

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Safety & Reliability