The Kia Optima has consistently been a top seller, in large part due to its reasonable price, strong resale potential, and unrivaled factory guarantee. This car, which is categorized as mid-size yet has adequate space for the whole family, is cozy to drive and has a broad list of standard and available convenience features. The new 2015 Optima has been improved and comes with a few extra features not present in earlier models.
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Top 10 Reasons to Buy A 2015 Kia Optima – The Pros
1) Spacious, well-designed cabin.
The 2015 Kia Optima’s interior is tasteful and sophisticated, with a distinctly European layout. Passengers will like the abundance of soft-touch materials and the generous legroom in the back seats. The seats are quite tastefully made, being neither too soft nor too firm. Premium leather upholstery and embellishments are included with the higher-end SXL trim. Considering the price of this vehicle, the material quality is fairly high.
2) Numerous Trim Options
16-inch aluminum wheels, heated mirrors, and power accessories are included with the base LX model. Additionally standard are cruise control, a tilt-telescoping steering wheel, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat with a height adjustment. Bluetooth connectivity and a six-speaker sound system are included.
All of the aforementioned features are present in the EX trim, but the wheels are an inch bigger. Keyless entry and dual-zone climate control are standard on the EX.
LED taillights, an upgraded gauge and instrument control panel, and paddle shifters located on the steering wheel are all features of the opulent SX specification. This trim is available with a turbocharged engine and a switchable drive mode.
Xenon headlights, special exterior trim details, and luxury leather interior are features of the premium SXL model. 18-inch wheels and LED foglights are also included with this specification.
Available Premium Technology Packages 3.
The EX trim’s technology package includes a bigger touchscreen, blind spot and cross-traffic monitors, and rear parking sensors. A premium package that contains all the features of the EX Premium and Technology variants is available for the SX trim without the turbocharged engine.
Uvo Electronics Interface System, number 4.
The Uvo system enables voice control of MP3 players and cell phones. It also drives the POIs and turn-by-turn navigation. Compared positively to Ford’s equivalent interface, this system performs well. The touchscreen makes it simple to control the sound system and navigate your way around.
5) Consistent Engine Performance.
The 2015 Kia Optima comes with a 2.4L, 4-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive as standard equipment. There are 192 horsepower available from the engine. The 2.0L turbocharged engine found on higher model levels is a little bit smaller, but it still generates 274 horsepower. On all model levels, a six-speed automatic transmission is standard.
Just under nine seconds are needed to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph, which is about typical for this car class. Even on bumpy roads, the ride is sufficiently smooth thanks to the excellent suspension.
6) Outstanding Safety Features
All 2015 Kia Optima grades come standard with front, side, and side-curtain airbags. Anti-lock disc brakes, stability and traction control are also provided. Technology-advanced safety features like a rearview camera and roadside help are included in the higher-level packages. The improved Uvo telematics system includes driver limitation and driver tracking for secondary vehicle operators. Every Kia Optima is equipped with kid-proof rear door locks and window controls, 3-point seatbelts, child booster seat anchors and tethers, and 3-point seatbelts.
7) Highest Scores on Crash Tests.
The 2015 Kia Optima received the maximum rating for overall safety performance. Both frontal impact and side-impact testing were performed. The car also passed the tests for roof strength and moderate-overlap accident with a score that was above average.
8) Industry’s Best Warranty.
The 10-year powertrain warranty and complete 36-month bumper-to-bumper coverage are included with the Optima. Any authorized, certified Kia dealership service center offers free repairs for parts failures. Along with limited coverage for roadside assistance, the guarantee also includes coverage for rust and corrosion.
9) Outstanding Resale Value.
During the first three years of ownership, the Kia Optima depreciates extremely little, showing excellent value retention. In addition, this model has one of the greatest private-party sales values of any automobile in its class, particularly if it has only been driven a maximum of 15,000 miles annually.
10) Design That Is Family-Friendly.
There is virtually little competition when it comes to overall passenger comfort, despite the fact that some competitor models provide a more comfortable riding experience. Two adults and three children can easily sit inside the roomy interior.
Reasons You May Not Want To Buy A 2015 Kia Optima – The Cons
1) Unacceptably Low Fuel Efficiency.
The 2015 Kia Optima gets about 24 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the interstate, which is a little less than most rival mid-size cars. Even less efficient, getting only about 31 mpg on the interstate, is the turbocharged model.
2) Issues with Exterior Styling.
Little has changed with the Kia Optima’s overall outward appearance over the past few years. The automobile does not have the swoop and curve lines that are now typical of modern sedans, nor does it have a particularly sporty appearance.
3) Steering Feels A Little Numb.
Particularly on winding roads, the steering may be rather tight. Although there is adequate overall comfort, the handling requires some getting used to. The Optima is not the most maneuverable vehicle.
Does Kia maintain its value?
We’ll venture the bold assumption that you’ll want to sell your car for as much money as you can. You want to recover as much of the cost of the investment as you can because it was expensive. All cars lose value over time, but some do it more quickly than others.
IntelliChoice calculated the average retained values for a brand’s full model portfolio over a five-year period to find out. These estimates allow us to identify which manufacturers’ vehicles have better depreciation resistance. Let’s talk about the automobile brands that lose value more quickly now that we’ve determined which ones do so the best.
Mini: 50.4 Percent Retained Value
A fairly, well, small percentage of drivers are drawn to Mini automobiles because of its size, which lives up to its name. Models with charming aesthetics and nimble handling, like the retro Cooper, sporty Countryman crossover, or funky Clubman wagon, attract drivers with an eye for fashion and a sense of adventure but, more crucially, who can manage their diminutive dimensions. However, doubts about future worth may put buyers’ first enchantment to rest. The Countryman and Clubman receive a Poor five-year cost of ownership rating from IntelliChoice. Furthermore, we weren’t too impressed by the brand’s recent attempts at electrification. As joyful as Mini’s cars are to look at and drive, the brand’s market position is indicated by its value retention rate of 50.4%.
Mazda: 49.3 Percent Retained Value
Mazda doesn’t compare to other Japanese brands in terms of name recognition, lineup diversity, or value despite producing some of the best-looking and best-driving mainstream cars on the market. Even though the Mazda3 and Miata have sizable fan groups, those and other models may place a greater emphasis on driving characteristics than general utility. The Mazda6 lagged behind rival sedans until it was recently discontinued, while the CX-30 and CX-9 are less adaptable than rival crossovers. Although we usually love driving a Mazda, its value retention rate of 49.3 percent isn’t as high as that of its primary rivals. Possibly the brand’s next, higher-end vehicles will hold their value longer.
Kia: 47.7 Percent Retained Value
Kia has put a lot of effort into keeping up with its rivals in terms of quality, dynamics, and design. Want proof? The Sorento is back and even better than before, the Telluride won our competition for SUV of the Year, and the Optima’s makeover into the K5 gave this sedan new life. However, despite their appeal in other areas, Kia’s automobiles behind with an average value retention rate of 47.7% during a five-year period. Despite its extensive standard warranty and genuinely enticing options, that is the case. Even while we enjoy driving the Telluride and the sporty Stinger, Kia still needs to improve as evidenced by their respective Mediocre and Poor IntelliChoice scores.
Hyundai: 47.1 Percent Retained Value
Hyundai strives to match the reputation for quality and durability of Toyota and Honda, much like its corporate rival Kia. The long-term value proposition of Hyundai doesn’t appear to have been significantly impacted by a lengthy warranty or a group of very regarded experts. Models like the Sonata, Palisade, and Tucson serve as indicators of how far the brand’s products have come. However, Hyundai’s 47.1 retained value % suggests that it needs to do more to earn the trust of customers who value their money.
Volkswagen: 46.9 Percent Retained Value
Volkswagen’s image for quality suffered as a result of the Dieselgate incident, even though the company didn’t have a very strong one to begin with. Volkswagen lacks American and Asian rivals in mass-market appeal, even with more recent models like the Tiguan or Atlas, which only manage Average or Mediocre IntelliChoice value scores depending on trim. A shorter warranty is detrimental to its cause. Volkswagen is planning a number of electric vehicles, which might assist the company’s current 46.9% value retention percentage.
Nissan: 45.6 Percent Retained Value
Nissan has struggled to gain momentum and maintain its competitive position after a high-level organizational restructuring. It is currently working on refreshing its stale lineup. We were impressed by some of those efforts, like the Rogue and Sentra. Others, such as the legendary Z sports vehicle or the Pathfinder, stop at simply spiffing up antiquated platforms and engines. Despite the merits of Nissan’s engineering advancements, only a small percentage of its vehicles receive Good IntelliChoice value scores; the majority are ranked at Average, Mediocre, or Poor in terms of ownership costs. Nissan has a dismal 45.6 percent average value retention over a five-year period.
Buick: 42.3 Percent Retained Value
What does Buick mean today? Buick doesn’t seem to be confident in itself. Due to the brand’s current inventory consisting solely of SUVs, its tradition of opulent vintage sedans has come to an end. All of those models aren’t particularly terrible, but they don’t do much to change the outdated perception of Buick. Additionally, Buick’s uncertain positioning does not help. Does it aim for real luxury to compete with the best in the field, or does it aim for a premium experience at entry-level pricing? We believe Buick requires revival and a more focused course. If and when it occurs, it might improve the lineup’s average value retention, which is 42.3 percent.
Mitsubishi: 41.3 Percent Retained Value
Many of the Mitsubishi vehicles we’ve evaluated are affordable, but not just financially. We’ve encountered subpar engineering and craftsmanship in Mitsubishi cars, which leads to dull driving experiences. The Mirage and Eclipse Cross are among the least expensive options in their respective sectors, which is obvious from their flimsy construction and crude driving characteristics. The previous Outlander’s available electric driving range deserves praise, but the revised three-row SUV falls short of expectations. Mitsubishi’s value retention rate of 41.3% is significantly lower than that of other brands. Every other Mitsubishi has a Mediocre or Poor IntelliChoice ownership rating, leaving just the outdated Outlander Hybrid.
Chrysler: 40.2 Percent Retained Value
Any carmaker would find it challenging to maintain a two-model lineup, especially if those options are designed to compete in some of the least-wanted segments of the market. But Chrysler is going in that direction. Despite having advantages of its own, the 300 sedan and Pacifica minivan just do not appeal to the tastes of contemporary drivers. Only a layer of gradual improvements can hide the 300’s deterioration. Considering that it is a minivan, the Pacifica (and its fleet-only Voyager counterpart) is actually rather decent. Although Chrysler’s future is uncertain, introducing models that are contemporary in design could increase the lineup’s average value retention rate of 40.2%.
Fiat: 39.5 Percent Retained Value
Fiat’s tiny, quirky cars briefly appeared ready to inject some Italian panache into the compact car market. But that period has passed, and it is now clear that Fiats are less attractive than they once were. The 500X subcompact crossover is the only vehicle currently offered by the brand. Its cute design and standard AWD can’t make up for its sloppy driving manners and shoddy construction. Fiat’s abysmal 39.5 percent retention rate is the weakest among major brands because the 500X symbolizes the complete lineup.
Are Kia Optimas dependable vehicles?
The anticipated reliability rating for the 2020 Kia Optima is 83 out of 100. A predicted reliability score from J.D. Power of 91 to 100 is regarded as the best, 81 to 90 as great, 70 to 80 as medium, and 0-69 as fair and below average.
How long are Kia Optimas good for?
The Kia Optima has a typical lifespan of 200,000 miles, which equates to around 13 years of service when you consider the average annual mileage of 15,000 miles. Because of this, the Kia Optima is an affordable option on the used automobile market that will last you for many years.
What vehicle loses value the quickest?
Compact or subcompact cars make up the majority of cars that cost less than $25,000 and depreciate quickly. The Mitsubishi Mirage takes first place, losing an average of $9,300 or 57.8 percent of its value over the course of five years.
The second and third vehicles, both having a five-year average depreciation rate of 56.5 percent, are the Chevrolet Sonic and Volkswagen Jetta. With an average depreciation of 55.8% over five years, the Kia Rio comes in fourth. Fifth on the list is the Nissan Sentra, which depreciates at a pace of 55.3 percent over five years and an average loss of $11,115 in value.
As popular rental or fleet vehicles or because they have greater ownership costs in comparison to their price, the aforementioned cars have a tendency to lose value quickly.
How long will a Kia last?
Yes, Kia reliability is above average, to put it succinctly. Even though Kia had a bad reputation when it initially entered the US market about 20 years ago, a lot has changed since then. Currently, the brand is rated 4.0 out of 5.0 on RepairPal, placing third out of 32 brands of automobiles.
RepairPal uses driver-reported information on brand average yearly repair costs, the frequency of unexpected repairs, and the seriousness of needed repairs to calculate dependability scores. Kias and other vehicles with high RepairPal reliability ratings are less likely to experience frequent mechanical problems.
Kia offers one of the greatest new car warranties in the business as a guarantee for the dependability of its vehicles. Kia significantly outperforms the industry standard of three years for bumper-to-bumper coverage and five years for the powertrain. The Kia guarantee comprises a ten-year powertrain warranty as well as a five-year bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Your Kia should last for at least ten years if you follow up with routine maintenance. If not, the majority of significant problems are probably covered by warranty.
Kia Factory Warranty
One of the best manufacturer warranties in the industry is offered by Kia. A new Kia vehicle includes:
- 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty for five years.
- Powertrain warranty of 10 years and 100,000 miles
- Warranty against perforation for 5 years and 100,000 miles
- Roadside assistance coverage for 5 years and 60,000 miles
Kia J.D. Power Awards
Kia has received numerous J.D. Power honors for a variety of automobiles. The Kia Soul, Forte, Sorento, and Sedona, for instance, each received the Highest Quality award that year. A J.D. Power Dependability award was additionally given to the 2016 Kia Soul in 2019. This prize takes into account issues with used cars that are three years old.