Used 2016 Kia Optima for Sale nearSan Bernardino, CA

How much does the 2016 Kia Optima cost?

Prices have softened 9.29% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 935 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare by trim, mileage, and condition.

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, smooth ride, and excellent fuel economy. That lines up with the Optima’s role as a redesigned midsize family sedan that aims to be a benchmark for everyday use, especially if you want a car that feels upscale without giving up practicality.

There are 26.5% good and great deals in the market, so you have a decent chance of finding a strong-value listing if you shop carefully.

Is the 2016 Kia Optima reliable?

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

The owner feedback also points to reliability and a trouble-free ownership experience, with dependable performance and strong comfort showing up repeatedly in the summary. Kia’s warranty coverage and roadside assistance add to the sense that ownership can be relatively worry-free, and the expert review also describes the quality and dependability outlook as improved.

Kia’s ownership coverage helps reduce early ownership stress, but used buyers should still verify maintenance history and overall condition because repair costs can rise quickly if prior care was inconsistent.

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

At 52.2% 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 a car with multiple owners. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the car’s equipment works as expected, since trim differences can be significant on this model year.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX model is the most stripped-down choice, while the LX 1.6T, EX, SX, and SX Limited add more equipment. Lower trims can feel limited, so you should pay close attention to feature gaps if you want a better-equipped daily driver.
• Powertrain: The Optima Turbo setup is described as responsive at lower engine rpm and not weaker than expected, with a 6-speed automatic, paddle shifters, and Drive Mode Select. That makes it a better fit if you want a more lively feel in everyday driving.
• Safety package: A reversing camera is standard, while blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert is standard on the SX Limited and optional on other trims. Adaptive bi-Xenon headlights are standard on the SX and SX Limited, and the SX Limited also adds lane-departure warning plus adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking.
• Infotainment: UVO eServices brings navigation, voice recognition, wireless smartphone charging, Android Auto, and connected services. The SX Limited also gets surround-view monitoring, and the system’s free connected features are a notable plus.
• Fuel efficiency: The review cites 25.3 mpg on the test loop, with 24 mpg in city driving and 32 mpg on the highway.

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, but the review makes clear that lower trims can feel limited on features. Choose it only if price matters most and you’re comfortable with a simpler setup.
• LX 1.6T: This trim adds more equipment than the base LX and is a better fit if you want a more balanced value play without jumping all the way to the upper trims.
• EX: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds meaningful equipment while staying below the more expensive performance-leaning versions.
• SX: This is the trim to choose if you want the strongest mix of style, equipment, and driving character, including the more advanced tech and safety content described in the review.

For safety equipment, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert is standard on the SX Limited and optional on other trims, while adaptive bi-Xenon headlights are standard on the SX and SX Limited.

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

The market looks moderate and selective, so you can shop with some leverage if you compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 26.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 935 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.29% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 52.2% 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 $9,318 sits slightly below last year's $10,273.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable point in the cycle. If you plan to resell later, the current pricing trend means your upside may depend more on choosing a clean, well-maintained example than on expecting broad market appreciation.

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?

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

Every 2016 Optima comes with a standard reversing camera, and the SX Limited adds blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Adaptive bi-Xenon headlights are standard on the SX and SX Limited, and several of these features are available on other trims as well.

Kia also says it upgraded the structure to improve small-overlap frontal crash performance, using more advanced high-strength steel. That said, crash-test assessments were still forthcoming in the review text, so you should still verify any later test results before buying.

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:

• 26.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 52.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.29% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The expert review says the redesigned 2016 Optima is the standard-bearer of the midsize family sedan segment and highlights its strong styling, safety, and infotainment.

The bottom line: The 2016 Optima is a strong choice if you want a stylish midsize sedan with good safety content, strong owner satisfaction, and a market that has become more buyer-friendly. If you’re especially price-sensitive, focus on the lower end of the range and prioritize clean-history examples 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 comes across as the more compelling all-around pick here, especially if you value styling, safety content, and a richer-feeling interior. The Sonata counters with slightly better fuel economy and a bit more inventory, but the Optima’s stronger expert score and owner satisfaction give it the edge for many used-car shoppers.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.