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2003 Kia Optima User Reviews

2003 Kia Optima Review Ratings

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Average Ratings from 6 reviews

  • Performance:4.6 out of 5 stars4.6 out of 5 stars4.6 out of 5 stars4.6 out of 5 stars4.6 out of 5 stars 4.6 / 5
  • Appearance:4.2 out of 5 stars4.2 out of 5 stars4.2 out of 5 stars4.2 out of 5 stars4.2 out of 5 stars 4.2 / 5
  • Build Quality:4.6 out of 5 stars4.6 out of 5 stars4.6 out of 5 stars4.6 out of 5 stars4.6 out of 5 stars 4.6 / 5
  • Overall:4.8 out of 5 stars4.8 out of 5 stars4.8 out of 5 stars4.8 out of 5 stars4.8 out of 5 stars 4.8 / 5

Review Highlights Click to filter reviews below

PROS
"power" 3 reviews
"ride" 2 reviews
"fuel economy" 2 reviews
"price" 2 reviews

User Reviews

Displaying all 6 reviews
Alison writes:
2003 Kia Optima LX V6 Review
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Performance:
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Pros

Performance, comfort, attractive

Cons

paint is faded  in spots

35

Kia Love — This car is a v-6 so it moves but it gets up and goes better than any other v-6 Ive driven. It was in a wreck and kept my kids safe. The cop even mentioned how impressed he is with my car when he has seen it in wrecks. You should have see what the Toyota Tacoma that hit us looked like. It is very comfortable and we've owned it from 30,000 miles to 100,000 and haven't had a single problem with it. We have driven on some long trips and it is little a little trooper getting about 28-32 mpg. It handles driving in snow like a dream. I love this car and my car knows it.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Rx8202 writes:
2003 Kia Optima SE V6 Review
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Performance:
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Pros

Good looking car that runs efficiently

Cons

Careful on the brakes

Rx8202
55

Absolutely Rocks! — I bought this car used and it has served me well. I love the acceleration on it and although i have had to be a little more cautious on the brakes it has been excellent on that too. It is not a threat to personal safety. I got it with a warranty and has needed repair only for the steering wheel. everything else has been in very good condition and i still use it! great on gas, exterior looks very good and it definitely is fun to drive and be seen driving :) the interior of the car is gorgeous! and to think i got all that for a good price, almost unbelievable! I would definitely recommend the car to a friend. It was worth every dime and more!

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DeMaster writes:
2003 Kia Optima LX V6 Review
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Cargo Capacity:
Family Car:
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Pros

love this car, became the favorite and most dependable out of all my friend's cars. when everyone else was broke down, i was rolling nice and cool in my Kia and still getting people wanting to buy it after 170k miles. Even towed a UHaul trailer 3400 miles!

Cons

gas mileage not as good as 2011 or better optima - time to upgrade :-)

25

I'm A Kia Optima Driver For Life! — I love the fact that this car has been reliable in all conditions and has proven it's paid for itself over and over, thanks Kia! features in this 03 model are still competitive today. the multiple big plush seats are definitely a super plus for long commutes of 1 hr to and from work 5 days a week and then because its so big on the inside, its the car of choice for picking p all my friends and taking long road trips out of town on the weekends.

Primary Use: Commuting to work

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Hunter writes:
2003 Kia Optima LX V6 Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

it has porsches transmission and v6

Cons

not really any

25

Nice — it has a porsche transmission and a v6 nice leather interior wood control panels nice performance ok in snownot average cost to manage its fun car fun to power up awesome all round nice car good for frst cargreat quality

Primary Use: Commuting to work

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Katherine writes:
2003 Kia Optima LX Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

Excellent mileage and control

Cons

Exterior isn't quiet built for protection

35

The Kia Optima Lx 2003 — It's the BOMB when it comes to mileage and is pretty smooth on control and braking. The window frames are weak, and the ratteling could be de to poor/lack of care. Exterior design is alright, but the inside is pretty sweet. Hardly had any maintencance done, and is a great car to drive; especially if you're a first-time-driver.

Primary Use: Family transportation

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Amilli writes:
2003 Kia Optima SE V6 Review
Appearance:
Performance:
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Overall:

Pros

Safety, good performance and accessories for price, great engine

Cons

slow acceleration but still descent

Amilli
25

Great First Car ! — i had this car as my first car and i didn't know it at the time but I couldn't have asked for more. The car was speedy and sporty looking, especially with those tinted widows on the car. I got tons of complements from people thinking it was a mercedes. Everything in car worked well and ran well for the time I had it. As for safety, it was just great. It was totaled in an accident where another driver smashed into the front of my car. I should have been really hurt based on the damage but walked away with minor injuries. The acceleration was decent but breaking and handling were better than expected for the price. I had great time with this car and wish it hadn't been totaled.

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Displaying all 6 reviews
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2003 Kia Optima 2003 Hyundai Sonata 2003 Nissan Altima
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Cost $4,854 Average Instant Market Value $5,399 Average Instant Market Value $7,336 Average Instant Market Value
Gas Mileage (highway) 27 28 27
Horsepower 138 138 175
Crash Test Rating 4 4 4
Front Leg Room (inches) 43.3 43.3 43.9

Reviews From Other Years

2013 Kia Optima Reviews

Gorgeous Car, Great Ride But Having Some Problems. By JLF

First it is very tempermental about allowing me to lock the doors with both the door fob and even manually. If I get out of the car and I hear the bell chiming, I know it isn't going to lock, but I've... Read More

Read all 2013 Kia Optima reviews

2012 Kia Optima Reviews

Very Impressive By snuggabear69

I think kia did a awesome job with the design of this car! The interior is very comfortable and i especially love the ergonomics of the dash. Also the heated and cooled seats are great especially in t... Read More

Absolutely Amazing By Andy

Absolutely love this car. It has tons of features in it for the reasonable price. It has heated and cooled seats, nav system, iphone integration, push to start, and a lot more. The car has 274 hp ... Read More

Read all 4 2012 Kia Optima reviews

2011 Kia Optima Reviews

Great Daily Driver By Merrill

I bought this Kia as a replacement for a 2008 Infiniti M, and I have previously owned Cadillac, Chrysler, Buick and Acura. I was blown away by the power, style and comfort in this Kia, especially com... Read More

Fantastic Machine By greggully

At 1st I said I would NEVER own a KIA!! Boy was I surprised when I took it for a road test. I went back to the dealer and drove home 2 hrs later in my new Kia. Wanna talk about fast....when that turbo... Read More

Read all 9 2011 Kia Optima reviews

2009 Kia Optima Reviews

Kia Optima: Good Value Family Car By fisheral

Talk about value for the money. This car has been a good and relatively reliable all around family car with plenty of comfortable space for four (sometimes five). Looked at Accord, Fusion and Sonata... Read More

My View Of Kia Cars/corporation Has Gone Way Up After Buying This Car. By MrBigFish1959

Love it! The car is smooth, quiet, & dependable, with good mpg & enough bells and whistles to make it fun to drive. Great buy! Highly recommended! Read More

Read all 7 2009 Kia Optima reviews

2008 Kia Optima Reviews

Good Lookin' And Economical By msdenisemounsey

This is one of my most favorite cars I have owned in 35 years. It looks classy, runs great, and has been extremely reliable. The interior is roomy and has good head clearance. The seats are comforta... Read More

Looks Great Drives Smooth By sdmiller6182

I like everything about the kia but I just don't know kia optimas history on being a long term good car any body know or does any one got one that can help me...and they say it gets great gas mileage ... Read More

Read all 4 2008 Kia Optima reviews
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