Written By: Chris
On your mark, get set, and GO! Here is another installment of our family swap your ride. This time we were given a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid, a first since neither one of us have driven a hybrid. It was a nice little shinny satin silver with rear spoiler and 17” alloy wheels. Let me rephrase that, it may seem small on the outside, but it fits our family of 5 quite well. Leather interior with both front seats heated and air cooled, not to mention they were both electric. Front and rear moon roofs with the front one opening up for the sunroof. Included were all the luxuries that we love, like Bluetooth, Sirius radio, rear camera display, and the list just keeps on going. Another great safe vehicle with anti-lock brakes, traction control, hill assist, with front and side airbags. Plus the feature that I like the most is all the controls are on the steering wheel.
But the most impressive thing about the car that makes it worth every cent of its $32,500 price tag is the mileage. With an estimated 35 mpg city and 40 mpg highway. I hate to tell you that is a total lie, we far exceeded the mileage. We had the vehicle what seemed like 2 weeks, but was really only 11 days and we could not use one full tank of gas. We drove this vehicle every day to and from work, to the grocery store and the mall, soccer practice and games. So you get the picture that we used it like it was ours and if we had to go anywhere we went in the Kia Optima Hybrid. The whole time we could not use a tank of gas, with both city and highway driving. In my opinion with all the other cool and luxurious feature this by far was the greatest. I just might have to become a hybrid driver.
I highly recommend the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid to everyone. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first car or your twenty-first car, this is a great midsize that is very affordable for what it offers you. It is roomy enough for a small family, and with all the safety features you will have a secure feeling letting your teenage son or daughter drive it.
Written By Colleen:
I enjoyed driving the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid, it had some pretty unique and fun features. This was the first car we have test drove that had memory settings. Once you have the wheel and set to your liking you can set the car to remember this setting. Since my husband is 6′ 1″ and I’m only 5′ 4″ we are always moving the seat back and forth. My car is usually the car that is driven for family outings and on the weekends. When we are together my husband drives. So as you can see the seat is shifted constantly.
I had no problem pairing up my phone and listening to my music. This is one of the main reasons I like to connect my phone in any car I drive. I love to listen to my own playlist on the way to work. Or if I’m listening to a book I can do so in any car. As with any bluetooth enabled cars the controls are all conveniently located on the steering column.
Above all the best feature of this car was the gas mileage. While I didn’t really love the feel of the car switching to save energy (I was always afraid something was wrong). The side effect is amazing, which is less gas used. We had the car as my husband said above for 11 days and we still did not use the entire tank of gas and that included driving 45 minutes South to see my sister. That is just unheard of in any car I have ever driven. I would purchase this car for that feature alone. Think of the savings!
Overall we both enjoyed test driving the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and feel it would be a great car and guaranteed to put more money in your pockets!
Disclaimer: We received this car to test drive for one week. Opinions are my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. You may read more of my disclosure here.
