The 2013 Kia Optima comes in a total of 4 trims, the base trim LX, EX, SX, and SX Limited. The range starts at the bottom trim LX, which is priced at $21,350, and can reach the highest of $26,800 for the SX Limited trim. The standard features of the sedan include 16-inch alloy wheels, full power accessories, fog lamps, keyless entry, air-conditioning, cruise control, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver seat, Bluetooth phone connectivity, satellite radio, a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, an iPod/USB audio interface, and an auxiliary audio jack.

The higher trims like EX, SX, and SX Limited brings added and improved features like 17-/18-inch alloy wheels, sport-tuned suspension, auto-leveling HID headlights, LED tail lights, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, dual-zone automatic temperature control, supervision meter cluster, sport-leather cloth seats, wood or carbon fiber insert film, and many others. 

The 2013 Kia Optima is a feature-packed car and all the trims do have a lot of value for the price they offer. The base trim has two packages on offer - the LX cConvenience Package and the Technology Package that add a lot of premium features to the list. The EX gets the Convenience Package as standard but the Technology Package remains optional. Adding to these, the EX also comes with a Premium Package that includes features like panoramic sunroof, a four-way power passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats.

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The 2013 Kia Optima is the best had in the EX trim because of the big jump that the trim makes in terms of features, as well as the packages that the company offers to bring a lot of customisation to the table. Of the available packages, the Premium PAckage adds in a lot of amenities while the Technology Package makes the car up-to-date in terms of modern features like Kia’s UVO interface. 

Kia offers a couple of engine choices for powering the Optima. All the trims come mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and FWD drivetrain. The LX and EX come powered with a 2.4L inline-4 engine that generates 200 horsepower and 186 foot-pounds of torque. The engine being coupled with an automatic transmission feels smooth and offers pleasant driving dynamics. The power offered is enough for the sedan to glide through daily life and regular tasks and commutes easily. It helps the car reach 0-60 MPH in 7.8 seconds, reach a ¼ mile in 16 seconds, and has the top speed of 139 MPH.

The SX and SXL come powered with a more powerful 2L turbocharged engine that churns a maximum of 274 and 269 ft.-lbs. of horsepower and torque respectively. The higher power and torque present the driver with a punchy feel and immediate response as soon as the gas pedal is pressed. The higher power and torque result in 0-60 MPH in 6.1 seconds, reach a ¼ mile within 14.7 seconds, and a maximum speed of 162 MPH.

The Hyundai Sonata is the most affordable and offers the best value of all the cars, closely followed by the Optima, and offers similar performance to the Honda Accord. The Nissan Altima is the most expensive but the power and torque figures are not the best. The Accord is the only sedan that features a manual transmission, while the others get an automatic or a CVT.

The 2013 Kia Optima can be had in two engine options so the mileage depends on which trim you buy. The LX and EX come with a 2.4 inline-4 engine that offers 24 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway, for a combined 28 MPG combined. The higher trims SX and SXL come powered with a more powerful turbocharged 2.0L inline-4 engine that generates a higher power and churns better performance. However, being a turbocharged inline-4 engine it offers an admirable mileage of 22 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway; for a combined 26 MPG combined. Both the engines are coupled with a massive 18.5-gallon fuel tank that aids in good range. 

The Optima and Sonata offer similar EPA-estimated mileage numbers and come with the same size tank, resulting in similar fuel range. The Accord is powered by the most powerful engine resulting in low mileage, which is not helped by the smallest fuel tank in the competition, resulting in the lowest fuel range. On the contrary, the Nissan Altima offers the least power and performance which merits the best mileage among all the sedans here. 

There are several reasons why the Optimas enjoy vast popularity and among all the reasons, the interior remains one of the most justified reasons why you should get one. The sedan comes built with a great interior with the ability to seat 5 people with adequate room offered at the front. In the rear, however, the seats feel a bit cramped and the roof feels a bit too low for tall adults. As standard, the seats are covered with beige or gray cloth, with the interior wrapped with beige or gray interior. The standard features consist of steering wheel-mounted audio control buttons, cruise control, air conditioning, power door locks/windows, cooling glove box, front and rear console with armrest, cloth seats, 6-way adjustable driver seat with power lumbar support, and 60/40 rear seats. 

Higher trims like the EX, SX, and SXL bring better and added comforts like push-button start w/Smart Key, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, dual-zone automatic temperature control w/rear vents, front one-touch auto-up/down windows, door mood lights, rear reading lights, leather or sport leather seats, 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and gear shifter, wooden or carbon fiber inserts and white or black Nappa leather seats with black cloth headliner.

At the back of the Optima lies a cargo trunk of 15.4 cubic feet which can take care of one’s belongings, medium bags, and light luggage. The rear seats further can be folded in a 60/40 split for additional space, which can be used well accordingly. 

All the sedans can accommodate 5 people with the best front space offered in the Hyundai Sonata while the Honda accommodates the most comfortably at the rear. The Hyundai Sonata also offers the largest cargo capacity which is 6.4% bigger than its sister car - the Optima. That said, the Optima’s interior is very commendable and the most comfortable of all with some of the standout interior features being:

• Leather upholstery
• Steering-wheel-mounted transmission paddle shifters
• Automatic climate control
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
• Rear air vents
• Optional panoramic sunroof
• Optional four-way power passenger seat
• Optional heated and ventilated front seats
• Optional heated steering wheel

How intuitive is the 2013 Kia Optima’s infotainment system?

Kia has coupled the 2013 Optima’s cabin with a pragmatic infotainment system that works well and comes with user-friendly control. All the trims come equipped with a basic infotainment system that comprises 6-speaker audio that is loaded with AM, FM, CD-Player, and SiriusXM. The car also comes fitted with USB, Aux input jacks, Bluetooth hands-free, and voice recognition. 

As optional, a premium 8-speaker audio by Infinity with a 4.3-inch color LCD touch screen can be fitted to enhance multimedia experiences followed by voice recognized navigation system with a rear camera that can be further equipped for customization. The EX and SX further can be fitted to Microsoft Infotainment System (MIS) that’s powered by UVO and comes fitted to premium surround audio by Infiniti. That said, some standout infotainment features are:

• 4.3” color touch LCD 
• 6-speaker audio with AM/FM/CD-player
• SiriusXM 
• Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming 
• USB and Aux input jacks
• Optional HD Radio 
• Optional Voice assisted navigation system 
• Optional SiriusXM Traffic 
• Optional Microsoft infotainment system powered by UVO 
• Optional 8-speaker premium audio by Infiniti 

Despite the 2013 Kia Optima sharing the same platform with Hyundai’s Sonata, the exterior narrates a different story. Compared to the conventional looks of the Sonata, the Optima looks premium and class-leading and offers a sleek shell structure that makes it class-leading and widely preferred. The standard attributes of the exterior include 16-inch alloys, performance dampers, chrome front grille, projector headlights, fog lights, chrome-plated dual exhaust, and turn-signal integrated outside mirrors.

Some of the optional or added features in the higher trims include 17-/18-inch alloys, 18” chrome wheels with red brake calipers, sports suspensions, chrome/ black gloss front grille, chrome rear spoiler, panoramic sunroof, auto-leveling HID headlights, LED DRLs and taillights, and power-folding mirrors on the outside. 

The Kia Optima is the heaviest and also happens to be one of the biggest sedans in terms of proportions with the biggest wheelbase. On the contrary, the Nissan Altima is a smaller car compared to the Optima. In terms of ground clearance, the Honda Accord has the highest ground clearance which aids in negotiating with the undulations on the road, while the Optima’s lower ground clearance helps in stability. That said, standout exterior features are:

• 18" chrome wheels w/red brake calipers
• Performance dampers
• Sport-tuned suspension
• Panoramic sunroof
• Black gloss/chrome front grille
• Chrome accent rear spoiler
• Projector headlights
• HID headlights w/auto leveling
• Fog lights
• LED daytime running lights
• LED tail lights
• Power-folding outside mirrors

The 2013 Kia Optima has been exemplary when it comes to safety. The build quality of the exterior shell has been admirable because of the good quality sheets used because the sedan is based on Hyundai’s Y4 platform. The chassis is composed of high-grade steel and aluminum which merits a rigid and tensile structure. All the wheels come fitted with technology like Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Vehicle stability management (VSM), and Emergency Brake Assist. The cabin is fitted with a standard airbag system for safety during a collision. 

The NHTSA and IIHS both have crash-tested the Optima’s 2013 model, the NHTSA presented all 5-stars, while the IIHS rated it “GOOD” and exemplified it with the Top Safety Pick+ award. There are many active safety and driver-assist programs that contribute to further safety and mitigation of certain emergencies such as:

• Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)
• Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
• Rearview camera
• Impact-absorbing steering column
• Emergency trunk release
• LED daytime running lights
• HID headlights w/auto leveling
• Fog lights

The 2013 Kia Optima sets an example with the value and performance it bought in the segment. It justifies itself with handsome and present-day looks, a beautiful and feature-packed cabin with a pragmatic infotainment system built-in, and safety. Another factor is its fuel-efficiency and potent engine which offers both performance and admirable mileage. The IIHS gave it a Top Safety Pick+ award that speaks for safety. Acknowledging all the attributes the car possesses, the 2013 Optima is what we strongly recommend.