The Optima, a mainstay of Kia's lineup since 2001, is a midsize sedan with seating up to 5. Strong on technology, it has offered Android Auto and Apple CarPlay since 2015. Exceeding the average MPG (miles per gallon) for its class, it reduces fuel costs and the carbon footprint. Having more than average horsepower for its class, the Optima packs some oomph. Kia offers a 5-year, 60,000-mile basic warranty, and a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty on its lineup.
The 2012 Kia Optima is very unsafe compared to all vehicles.
Comparison to all vehicles. This plot shows RSC safety scores on the horizontal axis vs. the number of vehicles with each safety score (depicted by bar height and percentages at the bottom). Colors reflect vehicle safety, ranging from red (not that safe) to green (safer). For reference, a score of 0 implies a 0.15% chance of driver death (13% chance of driver injury) over 15 years, and a score of 100 reflects a 0.016% chance (1.4% chance of driver injury). The 2012 Kia Optima has a score of 58, implying a 0.071% chance of driver death (6.4% chance of injury).
We estimate that the 2012 Kia Optima has a vehicle lifetime fatality chance of 0.0714% and a vehicle lifetime injury chance of 8.1579%, meaning the average driver has a 0.0714% chance of dying in an accident if they drive the car under regular conditions for fifteen years, and a 8.1579% chance of being injured.
Compared to the average vehicle, the 2012 Kia Optima is 53% more likely to result in a fatal accident. Compared to other sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons, the 2012 Kia Optima is 42% more likely to result in a fatal accident.
And it is less safe than many comparable cars.
Comparison to similar models. This plot compares the RSC rating of the 2012 Kia Optima with its main competition. Models are plotted on a scale from 46 to 82. The 2012 Kia Optima is safer than the 2012 Mitsubishi Galant and less safe than the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu, the 2012 Honda Accord, the 2012 Hyundai Sonata, the 2012 Dodge Avenger, the 2012 Ford Fusion, the 2012 Buick Verano, the 2012 Suzuki Kizashi, the 2012 Volkswagen Passat, the 2012 Toyota Camry, and the 2012 Mazda 6.
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