2012 Kia Optima Hybrid Premium Review

Thinking about buying a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid Premium? Check out the key features of the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid Premium in this review.

With one vehicle review under my belt, I was excited to give the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid Premium a try. In fact, it came at just the right time because we already had a family trip planned out of town to visit grandparents, so it really gave us an opportunity to experience the car.

2012 Kia Optima Hybrid Premium

Like I mentioned in my other auto reviews, I don’t know what makes a vehicle work, I just care about the way it looks, how much it costs and how safe it will keep my family in case of an accident.  The same holds true for this vehicle.  With it being a hybrid vehicle, I do know that at some instances while driving or idling, instead of using gas, the vehicle runs off of battery power.  If you are interested in the technology behind this feature, I suggest you look somewhere else.

When the vehicle was first dropped off at the house, I immediately noticed the stylish color and the sporty design of the car.  The color of this particular Optima is Light Graphite and has hints of grey, blue and purple.  The black interior is perfect with families with small children. We all know how messy they can be and from experience, light interior colors are a pain in the rear end to keep clean.

Trunk Space

Because we were going on a weekend trip that required suitcases and such, it gave me the perfect opportunity to really check out the space in the trunk.  For families with children this is an important feature when buying a vehicle and I’m happy to say that the Optima provides enough space in the trunk.  There are five of us and we were able to fit all of our luggage in the back with room to spare.

Family-Friendly Interior

I currently drive a vehicle that has a very light interior and I can honestly say it was one of the biggest mistakes I’ve made when purchasing a vehicle.  With three children all ages nine and under, it’s a constant battle trying to keep the interior looking nice.  I love that the dark interior of this particular Kia Optima allows my kids to be kids and allows me the security of knowing that even if there is a spill or accident, it’s not going to depreciate the value of the vehicle.

Easy Entry

If you are a parent, then I’m sure you’ve been there.  Hands and arms occupied by children, groceries, etc. and when you get to your vehicle, you realize your keys are in your purse and you can’t get to them easily.  One of the features that I love about the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid Premium is the ability to open the door with just a push of a button.  As long as your Smart Key is near (in your purse or pocket), you can unlock the vehicle simply by pressing the button on the door handle.

The View Above

Another additional feature that I really liked while driving the Kia Optima was the panoramic sunroof.  The weather on our trip out of town was a little cooler and we were able to keep the sunroof open and enjoy the sunlight and the breeze.    We have this feature on our current vehicle, so it was nice to see it was a feature offered on the Optima.

Easy Start

Just like with the easy entry into the vehicle, as long as you have the Smart Key in the car (in can be in your purse, pocket, etc.), you can start the car with a simple push of the button.  Simply press down the brake and push the button at the same time and the car starts.  I did have some trouble at first because the car is a hybrid so it doesn’t make a lot of noise when it’s running on battery power.   Once I got the hang of it, you can tell if the car is running or not by looking at the dash.

Cruise Control

While cruise control comes standard on most vehicles these days, I don’t think I could survive without it. I use cruise control more often than not (mainly so I don’t speed) and I love that the controls are right on the steering wheel where it’s easily accessible without me having to take my eyes off the road.

Overall, I really enjoyed driving the Kia Optima Hybrid Premium and the gas mileage was phenomenal.  While we were driving on the highway we were getting 38 mpg and during our city driving we were getting 32 mpg.  Compared to the 14-16 mpg I get right now, I couldn’t believe the fuel efficiency of this vehicle.  It seriously makes me rethink the vehicle I have sitting in my garage.

Because we are a family of five, we did find that the backseat is a bit small and it definitely doesn’t fit a car seat and two boosters.  If you are a family of four, I think you’ll be fine, but five is definitely a tight fit.

This particular model retails for $32,500 and comes with a ton of bells and whistles including heating and cooled front seats.  I know for me, this vehicle would save me a ton on gas expenses.  If you are in the market for a new vehicle and have a small family, I think the Kia Optima Hybrid Premium should definitely be on your possibilities list. Oh, and lets not forget about the 5 year/60,000 mile roadside assistance and limited basic warranty as well as the 10 year/100,000 limited powertrain warranty.  To me, peace of mind is priceless.

I was given this Kia vehicle to drive for a week in order to facilitate this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.