Used 2016 Kia Optima for Sale nearDurham, NC

How much does the 2016 Kia Optima cost?

Prices have softened 8.75% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 884 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare.

Is the 2016 Kia Optima a good car?

Yes — 4.89/5. The expert rating is 8.83/10, and the model scores 10/10 across Look and feel and Safety.

Owners consistently praise the Optima’s stylish design, comfort, smooth ride, and excellent fuel economy. The overview also points to strong safety and infotainment systems, while the Turbo version is described as especially responsive in everyday driving.

With 28.5% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have a decent chance of finding a competitive price if you shop carefully.

Is the 2016 Kia Optima reliable?

Owners rate it 4.89/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner summary highlights reliability alongside stylish design and comfort, and it also points to the car’s smooth ride and excellent fuel economy. The cost-effectiveness notes add that Kia’s warranty coverage makes ownership relatively worry-free, and the brand’s quality and dependability track record is described as improved.

The powertrain and full-vehicle warranty coverage, plus roadside assistance for the first 5 years or 60,000 miles, help reduce early ownership risk. For used buyers, the main long-term concern is making sure prior maintenance and wear items were handled properly.

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

At 51.7% 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 you’re considering a higher-trim car with more equipment. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the features you want are actually present and working as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX model is the entry point, while the LX 1.6T, EX, SX, and SX Limited add more equipment; lower trims are noted for limited features, so you should pay close attention to feature gaps if you want a better-equipped car.
• Powertrain: The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder in SX and SX Limited models makes 245 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, and it is tuned for better drivability and fuel economy with stronger low-rpm response.
• Safety package: A reversing camera is standard, while blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alerts is standard on SX Limited and optional on other trims. The SX and SX Limited also bring adaptive bi-Xenon headlights, and the SX Limited adds automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.
• Infotainment: UVO eServices is standard on SX and SX Limited and optional on LX 1.6T and EX. It includes navigation, voice recognition, a wireless smartphone charging pad, Android Auto, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, Bluetooth streaming, Internet radio, and connected services.
• Fuel efficiency: The turbo model is described as improving combined fuel economy from 24 mpg to 25 mpg, with a test-loop average of 25.3 mpg and a 32-mpg highway estimate.

Which 2016 Kia Optima trim should I buy?

The 2016 Kia Optima is offered in 5 trim levels: LX, LX 1.6T, EX, SX, SX Limited.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the entry trim, and it makes sense if you want the lowest starting point, but the review notes that lower trims can feel limited on features.
• LX 1.6T: This trim adds more equipment than the base model and can be a smart step up if you want a better balance of value and features without jumping all the way to the top trims.
• EX: This is another midrange choice that gains access to more available tech and safety content, making it a good fit if you want a more comfortable daily driver.
• SX: This is the best-value trim if you want the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, stronger performance, and access to much of the premium tech and safety equipment.
• SX Limited: This is the most fully equipped version, adding the most advanced safety and convenience features, including surround-view monitoring, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking.

If safety equipment matters most, the SX Limited is the trim that bundles the most advanced driver-assistance features, while the SX is the trim where the turbo powertrain and premium equipment start to make the most sense.

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

The market looks selective rather than overheated, so you can shop with some leverage if you compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 28.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 884 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.75% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 51.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $9,247, 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 $9,418 sits slightly below last year's $10,321.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable entry point today. For a future seller, it also means resale value may depend more heavily on condition, mileage, and trim level than on broad market momentum.

Well-kept examples with desirable equipment should hold up better than stripped or heavily worn cars. Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.89/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2016 Kia Optima safe?

The 2016 Kia Optima earns strong expert safety marks, including a 10/10 safety score from our experts.

It earns a 10/10 safety score from our experts.

Every 2016 Optima comes with a standard reversing camera. Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alerts is standard on the SX Limited and optional on other trims, while the SX and SX Limited also add adaptive bi-Xenon headlights. The SX Limited further includes automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.

The safety writeup also notes that Kia strengthened the structure to improve small-overlap frontal crash performance, but crash-test assessments were still forthcoming in the source material.

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:

• 28.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 51.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.75% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.89/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The redesigned 2016 Optima is described as the standard-bearer of the midsize family sedan segment, with standout styling, safety, and infotainment.

The bottom line: If you want the redesigned Optima with strong owner satisfaction, good safety content, and a softer price than last year, the 2016 is the one to target. If you’re especially price-sensitive, focus on the lower end of the range and compare condition closely, since accident history is common enough that a careful inspection matters.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.