Used 2016 Kia Optima for Sale nearColumbia, SC

How much does the 2016 Kia Optima cost?

Prices have softened 8.74% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 932 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare.

Is the 2016 Kia Optima a good car?

Yes — the 2016 Kia Optima earns a 4.9/5 user rating and an 8.8/10 expert rating. The model scores 10/10 across Look and feel and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its stylish design, comfort, and smooth ride, and they also frequently mention excellent fuel economy. In this context, the Optima fits well if you want a midsize family sedan that feels polished rather than merely practical. The market also shows 30.2% of listings as good or great deals, which supports the case for shopping carefully.

Is the 2016 Kia Optima reliable?

Owners rate it 4.9/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

Owner feedback points to reliability and a dependable ownership experience, alongside comfort and a smooth ride. Kia also backs the Optima with a strong warranty program and no-charge roadside assistance for the first 5 years or 60,000 miles, which helps reduce ownership anxiety. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the specific car has been maintained well, since condition and service history matter more as mileage climbs.

What should I look for when buying a used 2016 Kia Optima?

At 51.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has had bodywork or shows uneven panel gaps, paint mismatch, or tire wear. Focus on overall condition, because the best used examples will combine clean history, consistent maintenance, and intact safety and convenience equipment. If you’re comparing multiple listings, give extra weight to cars with complete service records and fewer signs of cosmetic or mechanical wear.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX model is the least equipped, while the LX 1.6T, EX, SX, and SX Limited add more safety-related and convenience equipment. Lower trims may feel limited in features, so you should pay close attention to whether the car has the equipment you want.
• Powertrain: The Optima Turbo uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 245 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, and it is tuned to feel more responsive at lower rpm. The 6-speed automatic transmission includes a manual shift mode and paddle shifters, and the drive mode system lets you choose Eco, Normal, or Sport settings.
• Safety package: A reversing camera is standard on every 2016 Optima. Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert is standard on the SX Limited and optional on other trims, while the SX and SX Limited can also bring adaptive bi-Xenon headlights; the SX Limited adds lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.
• Infotainment: Kia’s UVO eServices system includes navigation, voice recognition, a wireless smartphone charging pad, Android Auto, and connected services. The setup also offers a 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium Surround Sound audio system on the test vehicle, plus Bluetooth streaming, Internet radio, song tagging, and USB 2.1 quick-charge ports.
• Fuel efficiency: The test data notes fuel-economy estimates rising from 24 mpg in combined driving to 25, and the review also cites 25.3 mpg on the test loop.

Which 2016 Kia Optima trim should I buy?

The 2016 Kia Optima is offered in 4 trim levels: LX, LX 1.6T, EX, and SX.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the entry point, so it makes the most sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the redesigned Optima. It is the trim to target if you care most about the car’s styling and core sedan strengths, but you should expect fewer features than the higher trims.
• LX 1.6T: This trim adds more equipment than the base LX and can be a smart middle ground if you want a better balance of value and features. It is also one of the trims that can get the UVO eServices infotainment system, which makes it a strong value pick if you want more modern tech without moving all the way up the range.
• EX: This is another step up for buyers who want more comfort and convenience features. It can also be equipped with UVO eServices, so it suits you if you want a more polished daily driver with a richer feature set.
• SX: This is the trim to choose if you want the strongest equipment mix and the most upscale feel. It is the best fit if you care about the Optima’s more responsive turbocharged character and want access to the most advanced safety and convenience features.

The SX Limited adds the most safety equipment, including blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2016 Kia Optima?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 30.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 932 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.74% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 51.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $9,234, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2016 Kia Optima's resale value?

The current average of $9,344 sits slightly below last year's $10,239.

That softer pricing suggests the model has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price. If you choose a well-kept example now, you may have less downside left than a buyer who paid closer to the prior-year average. Strong condition and a clean history should matter more than ever if you want to protect value later.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.9/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2016 Kia Optima safe?

The 2016 Kia Optima earns a 10/10 safety score from our experts.

Every 2016 Optima comes with a standard reversing camera, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert is standard on the SX Limited and optional on other trims. The SX and SX Limited can also bring adaptive bi-Xenon headlights, while the SX Limited adds lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Kia also notes structural upgrades intended to improve crash performance.

Should I buy a 2016 Kia Optima or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2016 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2016 if:

• 30.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 51.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.74% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2016 redesign brings a more polished look, stronger safety and infotainment systems, and a more responsive Turbo version for everyday driving.

The bottom line: The 2016 is the right path if you want the redesigned Optima’s style, comfort, and feature set at a used-car price that has already come down meaningfully. If you’re especially price-sensitive, you can still find value by focusing on the lower end of the range and prioritizing clean-history cars with the equipment you actually want.

How does the 2016 Kia Optima compare to the 2016 Hyundai Sonata?

Our experts score the 2016 Kia Optima 8.8/10 and the 2016 Hyundai Sonata 7.8/10.

The Optima has the stronger expert score, while the Sonata edges it on fuel economy and has slightly more listings available. The Optima also has the better good-and-great deal share, which can make it the more appealing shopping target if you want a better value proposition. Both cars use the same engine and make similar power, so your decision comes down more to condition, pricing, and which one you find better equipped.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.