Used 2016 Kia Optima for Sale near North Carolina

How much does the 2016 Kia Optima cost?

Prices have softened 7.55% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 860 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2016 Kia Optima a good car?

Yes — the 2016 Kia Optima earns a 4.89/5 user rating and an 8.83/10 expert rating. The model scores 10/10 across Look and feel and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its stylish design, comfort, smooth ride, and excellent fuel economy. The overview also points to strong safety and infotainment systems, which makes this a compelling choice if you want a midsize family sedan that feels well-rounded rather than stripped down.

The market also looks reasonably accessible, with 26.4% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2016 Kia Optima reliable?

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

The owner feedback highlights reliability, and it also describes the car as comfortable and economical to live with over time. The expert evaluation adds that Kia’s warranty coverage makes ownership relatively worry-free, and it notes an improved quality and dependability track record.

Kia also includes no-charge roadside assistance for the first 5 years or 60,000 miles, which helps reduce early ownership stress. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the specific car you choose has been maintained well and hasn’t accumulated hidden wear.

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

At 51.3% 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-mileage example or one with a lower price than the rest of the market. Focus on condition, prior damage, and whether the car’s equipment still works as expected, since the model’s appeal depends heavily on its comfort, technology, and safety features.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX is the least expensive version, while the LX 1.6T, EX, and SX add more equipment; lower trims are called out for limited features, so you should pay close attention to how much convenience and tech you’re giving up.
• Powertrain: The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder in SX and SX Limited models makes 245 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, with stronger low-rpm response and a retuned setup aimed at better fuel economy and drivability.
• Safety package: A reversing camera is standard, while blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert is standard on SX Limited and optional on other trims; the LX 1.6T, EX, SX, and SX Limited are the versions that add more safety equipment.
• Infotainment: Kia’s Your Voice (UVO) eServices system includes navigation, voice recognition, a wireless smartphone charging pad, Android Auto, and connected services; the SX Limited also gets surround-view monitoring.
• Fuel efficiency: The turbo model is described as improving combined fuel economy from 24 mpg to 25 mpg, and the test loop returned 25.3 mpg.

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, and it makes sense if you want the lowest starting price, but the review makes clear that lower trims can feel limited in features, so you should only choose it if you’re comfortable with a simpler setup.
• LX 1.6T: This is the best-value choice if you want a step up from the base car without jumping all the way to the top trims; it also can be paired with Kia’s UVO eServices infotainment system.
• EX: This trim is a good middle ground if you want more equipment and access to the UVO eServices system without moving into the sportier upper end of the lineup.
• SX: This is the most appealing choice if you want the strongest driving character and the richest feature set, including the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, standard UVO eServices, and available advanced safety and convenience equipment.

The safety package note to keep in mind is that blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert is standard only on the SX Limited and optional on other trims, while the LX 1.6T, EX, SX, and SX Limited are the trims that add more safety equipment beyond the standard reversing camera.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without waiting for a dramatic bargain shift.

• Deal availability: 26.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 860 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.55% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 51.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $9,243, 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 $9,566 sits slightly below last year's $10,348.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer but may temper what you can expect later as a seller. If you buy at a favorable price now and keep the car in strong condition, you’ll be better positioned to limit depreciation pain over time.

The model’s broad appeal helps support future demand, especially because shoppers respond well to its styling, comfort, and fuel economy. 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 a 10/10 safety score from our experts.

Every 2016 Optima comes with a standard reversing camera, and Kia also upgraded the structure to improve performance in the IIHS small overlap frontal impact test. The safety content also says more than half of the architecture uses advanced high-strength steel.

A blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alerts is standard on the SX Limited and optional on other trims. The SX and SX Limited also get adaptive bi-Xenon headlights, while the SX Limited adds automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking.

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:

• 26.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 51.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.55% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.89/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The expert summary says the redesigned 2016 Optima is the standard-bearer of the midsize family sedan segment and is great to drive in Turbo spec.

The bottom line: The 2016 is the right pick if you want the redesigned Optima’s strong styling, safety, and tech at a softened market price. If you’re especially price-sensitive, you can focus on the lower end of the range and shop carefully for a clean, well-kept example with the equipment you want.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.