The third Optima arrived one year after the so-called fourth Hyundai Sonata sedan, and the two vehicles share nearly identical chassis and component sets.
Kaliningrad assembly began in 2012. A 2013 restyling refreshed the exterior styling and security systems, addressing a few minor flaws.
Kia Optima III
Advantages:
- Generous equipment and a comfortable ride at a sensible price.
- Strong corrosion resistance overall, with some caveats for the roof and A-pillars.
- Reliable stock audio system that suits daily use.
Defects
- Ground clearance sits at 145 mm, which can result in modest insulation and some cabin sounds in certain conditions.
engines
Gasoline engines were developed in collaboration with Mitsubishi, though a few design differences affected long-term reliability. Nevertheless, they do not suffer from seal issues or oil consumption problems in a pronounced way.
2.0-liter (150 hp) engines can experience cylinder scuffing if oil becomes dirty, cold starts are abrupt, and the engine ages. The 2.4-liter (180 hp) engine shows a tendency for liner distortion due to oil channel design flaws; this was mitigated by adding extra injectors, but the improved variant moved to the next Optima generation.
Both engines benefit from proven fuel quality and clean oil; shortening oil-change intervals to about 7,000 km is wise in city-dominated driving. Low-quality fuel can harm the catalytic converter, and clogged oil passages accelerate wear on the connecting rod and piston group and on the timing chain drive.
There are no hydraulic lifters. With proper care, both engines can exceed 300,000 km. When choosing a 2.0-liter model on the secondary market, an endoscope inspection is prudent. A cylinder liner issue is possible, but long-term fixes are unlikely to be durable.
Transmission
Six-speed manual M6CF3 and six-speed automatic A6MF1 transmissions are used across many models, including crossovers, and both offer solid performance.
However, early automatics with around 100,000 km could see valve body failures, which shortened service life. The selector position sensor and the oil temperature sensor were addressed in a 2015 recall. With careful maintenance, the automatic transmission can exceed 250,000 km before an overhaul is needed.
The manual transmission is rare; the key issue to know is that the third-gear synchro plastic blocking ring tended to wear and fail. During the restyling, it was replaced with a metal ring for durability.
Externally, the vehicle looks well equipped, but the interior materials are not premium grade. Some owners report steering wheel wear due to heavy button loading and rapid skin deterioration.
operational concerns
- The suspension performs best on smooth roads; in normal conditions, front wheel bearings and front strut bearings may require periodic replacement.
- A knock in the steering system is usually caused by a worn power steering clutch or bushing, while the steering rack remains robust.
- Knocks from the front end often point to warped brake discs; replacing with branded discs with an overt groove can help temporarily.
- Electrical systems are a common source of trouble: seat heating, heater motor, rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring failures, and oxidized rear light contacts.
- The frame of the front seats can loosen and require costly repairs.
- Lower trim models have been used in taxi fleets, which can lead to higher odometer readings and unusual wear patterns.
Euro NCAP: not tested
The largest offering on the second-hand market: Optima 2.4 automatic
Best option: Optima 2.0 manual or automatic
Comparable alternatives for the same budget: Audi A3, Ford Mondeo, Mazda 6, Nissan Teana, Toyota Corolla