Model Year | 2012 | 2012 | 2012 | 2012 | 2012 | 2012 | 2012 | 2012 |
Model | Caliber | Caliber | Caliber | Optima | Optima | Optima | Optima | Optima |
Trim | SE | SXT | SXT Plus | LX | EX | EX Turbo | SX | Hybrid |
Engines | ||||||||
Transmissions | ||||||||
Drivetrains | ||||||||
Tires | ||||||||
Audio Systems | ||||||||
Accessories | ||||||||
Powers devices with a regular home electrical outlet. Limited wattage: forget about using it to power a blow drier. | ||||||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
Often must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available. | ||||||||
Enter and start the vehicle without removing the key from your pocket. | ||||||||
Unlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob. | ||||||||
Start the car using a button on the keyfob. Interior can be a comfortable temperature as soon as you get in. | ||||||||
Homelink. | ||||||||
Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety | ||||||||
Rear disc brakes. | ||||||||
If active, automatically move forward when the vehicle is rear-ended. Note: becoming less common. | ||||||||
Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars. | ||||||||
Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time. | ||||||||
When a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes. | ||||||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
Mandatory, in all cars. | ||||||||
Torso-level front row airbags, usually contained in the seats. Many also protect the head, but not as well as side curtain airbags. | ||||||||
Applies the brakes to hold the vehicle in place on an incline. Incomplete data, so only displayed when pricing a single vehicle. | ||||||||
Rearview camera connected to display screen on the instrument panel. Often requires navigation system. | ||||||||
Airbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row. | ||||||||
Selectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning). | ||||||||
Two types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire. | ||||||||
When a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction. | ||||||||
Cargo Management | ||||||||
Usually part of an overhead console. | ||||||||
Usually concealed behind a stowed armrest. Enables long items like skis to be carried without folding the rear seat. | ||||||||
Includes four-wire harness, limited to relatively small trailers. | ||||||||
Climate Control | ||||||||
Maintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | ||||||||
Temperature can be separately set for left and right sides of the passenger compartment. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | ||||||||
Filters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features. | ||||||||
Vents at aft end of center console, in B-pillars, and/or in ceiling. | ||||||||
Ducts under front seats direct heated air to the second row. | ||||||||
Time between wipes can be precisely adjusted. | ||||||||
Engine / Motor | ||||||||
Automatically cuts off the engine when the vehicle is stopped and restarts it when the driver lifts off the brake pedal. Not listed for hybrids, where it is generally part of the powertrain system. | ||||||||
Plugs into electrical outlet to warm up the engine. Facilitates starting in extreme cold. | ||||||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
Exterior | ||||||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
Side skirts and possibly a front air dam and rear apron. | ||||||||
Moldings on the bodysides, to protect against door dings in parking lots. | ||||||||
Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust. | ||||||||
Front glass panel retracts over a fixed glass roof panel. Entire unit covers nearly the entire roof. | ||||||||
Can be small lip spoiler or a larger raised spoiler. | ||||||||
Infotainment | ||||||||
Speakers swing down from raised liftgate, for use with vehicle parked. | ||||||||
Jack for an iPod or similar device. No value because of incomplete data. Will soon be standard on nearly every car. | ||||||||
Uses Bluetooth rather than a cable to integrate audio device. Requires compatible audio device and/or phone. | ||||||||
Enables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers. | ||||||||
Audio system capable of playing DVDs on a front-row screen. Inoperative when the vehicle is moving. No value because of incomplete data. | ||||||||
High-definition radio, which broadcasts a digital signal. Free, no subscription fees. | ||||||||
Built-in drive with at least 10 GB of storage for MP3 and other audio files. | ||||||||
Built-in flash drive with a small amount of storage for MP3 and other audio files. | ||||||||
Audio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files. | ||||||||
Screen-based navigation system. | ||||||||
XM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply. | ||||||||
XM or Sirius with one-year subscription. | ||||||||
Converts text messages to speech. | ||||||||
Information about traffic conditions. Monthly fee after first 3-12 months. | ||||||||
Often permits an iPod or phone to be integrated into the vehicle's entertainment system and controls. | ||||||||
Phone or other device operated via the vehicle's voice command system. Requires a compatible device--all aren't supported. | ||||||||
Sometimes also includes voice control over climate control system. | ||||||||
Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors | ||||||||
Interior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | ||||||||
Headlights automatically turn on and off. Includes value of automatic-off headlights. | ||||||||
We haven't given this feature a value because it's hard to tell which cars have it. | ||||||||
Driving style displayed and/or evaluated with a grade, with changes in display graphics, or with a graph of performance over time. | ||||||||
Light wide area close in front of the vehicle. | ||||||||
Clears ice and fog from mirrors. | ||||||||
Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | ||||||||
Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | ||||||||
LEDs cast a soft glow over and/or highlight parts of the interior. | ||||||||
Standard or optional in some hybrid vehicles. Fancy display of power flows, enhanced trip computer information. | ||||||||
Front row reading lights. | ||||||||
Includes value of manual remote mirrors. | ||||||||
Mirrors fold and unfold with the touch of a button inside the vehicle. Good for narrow roads and parking lots. | ||||||||
Lights on speakers beat in time with the music. Can be set to not beat or turned off. | ||||||||
Reports engine speed. | ||||||||
Reports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats. | ||||||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
Provide a brighter, whiter light than halogen headlights. | ||||||||
Seats and Interior Trim | ||||||||
Real aluminum trim on instrument panel, door panels, and/or center console. Deleted by wood trim even if they appear together. | ||||||||
For carrying long items. Possibly also useful as a work surface. | ||||||||
Seat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat. | ||||||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
Seating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette. | ||||||||
Either only the front seats are leather or the upholstery is a mix of cloth and leather. | ||||||||
Power-adjustable lower back support. | ||||||||
Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | ||||||||
No additional value over leather upholstery because no way to standardize across all models. | ||||||||
Real wood trim on instrument panel, door panels, and/or center console. | ||||||||
Real wood comprises part of the steering wheel rim. | ||||||||
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires | ||||||||
Same value as regular alloy wheels because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
Alloy wheels plated with chrome. Some use a more durable, alternative process (PVD, Superchrome). Replace and include value of regular alloy wheels. | ||||||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
Alloy wheels highly polished to yield an almost chrome-like finish. In the past valued more highly than regular alloy wheels. But the term is used so broadly lately, often meaning that only some of the wheel face is machined, that they have the same defau | ||||||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
Less firm than a sport suspension. Only listed if an option or not standard on all trims. | ||||||||
Transmission | ||||||||
Paddles or buttons that can be used to manually shift the transmission. Only listed when optional or not always included with an automatic transmission. |
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What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2012 Kia Optima
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD