Used 2019 Kia Optima for Sale near California

How much does the 2019 Kia Optima cost?

Prices have softened 7.31% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,431 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare.

Is the 2019 Kia Optima a good car?

Yes — the 2019 Kia Optima earns 4.77/5 from owners and a 9/10 expert rating. The model scores 10/10 across Form and function and Cost effectiveness.

Owners consistently praise its great value, stylish design, numerous features, smooth ride, and safety options. In use, that lines up with the Optima’s roomy interior and broad everyday appeal, which make it a practical midsize sedan for daily driving and family duty.

With 30.0% of listings marked as good or great deals, you also have a decent chance of finding one priced attractively.

Is the 2019 Kia Optima reliable?

Owners rate it 4.77/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a car that feels dependable in everyday use, with praise centered on value, features, smoothness, and safety. The expert evaluation also describes the Optima as a strong value with refined safety technology and a well-rounded overall package, which supports confidence in long-term ownership.

Kia’s warranty reputation and the model’s broad equipment list help reduce ownership anxiety, but you should still verify maintenance history and overall condition on any used example.

What should I look for when buying a used 2019 Kia Optima?

At 56% 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, tire wear, or warning lights. Focus on how the car drives, how the safety systems behave, and whether the interior and electronics match the seller’s description.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX includes important driver-assistance and collision-avoidance systems, while higher trims add more convenience and luxury touches. The SX Turbo stands out with a blacked-out exterior look, 18-inch wheels, red brake calipers, black leather with red inserts, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and upgraded instrumentation.
• Powertrain: Base LX and sporty S trims use a 185-horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder. The EX Turbo uses a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder with 178 hp and strong usable torque. The SX Turbo gets a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 245 hp and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic and driving modes including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart.
• Safety package: Every Optima has standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking-assist sensors, and a driver-monitoring system. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go is available, and a surround-view camera system is also offered.
• Infotainment: Standard equipment includes an 8-inch touchscreen, Your Voice (UVO) technology, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Siri Eyes Free, voice recognition, a USB port, and a reversing camera. S and EX Turbo trims add satellite radio and UVO eServices with 9-1-1 Connect, while the SX Turbo adds navigation, HD Radio, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The hybrid returns 41 mpg in combined driving, and the plug-in hybrid offers up to 28 miles of pure electric range before switching to hybrid operation. The SX Turbo averaged 23.5 mpg in testing and is estimated at 24 mpg in combined driving.

Which 2019 Kia Optima trim should I buy?

The 2019 Kia Optima is offered in 4 trim levels: LX, S, EX Turbo, SX Turbo.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the value-focused starting point, and it already includes the core safety tech you want in a family sedan. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost path into the Optima without giving up the important driver-assistance features.
• S: This trim adds satellite radio and UVO eServices with 9-1-1 Connect, so it’s a better fit if you want a little more convenience and connected tech without jumping too far up the price ladder.
• EX Turbo: This is the best-value choice if you want the more efficient turbocharged 1.6-liter engine along with the added tech features from the S trim. It gives you a strong balance of equipment, efficiency, and everyday usability.
• SX Turbo: This is the most upscale and performance-oriented gas trim, with the 245-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, sport-tuned suspension, navigation, HD Radio, and the Harman Kardon audio system. Choose it if you want the most features and the strongest powertrain in the lineup.

Every Optima includes the core safety suite, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go is available on higher trims.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2019 Kia Optima?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory and pricing softness to make shopping worthwhile.

• Deal availability: 30.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,431 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.31% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 56.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,916, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2019 Kia Optima's resale value?

The current average of $12,165 sits slightly below last year's $13,125.

That decline suggests the market has become more favorable for buyers, but it also means a future seller may face some price pressure if the trend continues. If you buy well now, you may be starting from a lower entry point than owners saw a year ago, which can help limit depreciation risk. Strong value perception and broad owner satisfaction can help support demand when it’s time to sell.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.77/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2019 Kia Optima safe?

The 2019 Kia Optima earns Top Safety Pick ratings from the IIHS and five-star ratings in every NHTSA test assessment except front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision, where it earns a four-star rating.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Every Optima includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking-assist sensors, and a driver-monitoring system. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go is available, and a surround-view camera system is also offered.

One caveat is that the IIHS notes an Acceptable rating for child safety seat LATCH anchor accessibility, and the federal crash results include that four-star front passenger result.

Should I buy a 2019 Kia Optima or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2019 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2019 if:

• 30.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 56% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.31% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.77/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The expert summary highlights a midsize sedan that stands out for stylish looks, a wide range of engine choices, a roomy interior, and sophisticated safety technologies.

The bottom line: The 2019 is the right pick if you want a well-equipped midsize sedan with strong safety tech, broad appeal, and a market that currently favors shoppers. If you’re especially price-sensitive, you can also use the softer pricing and decent inventory to shop carefully and target the lower end of the range.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.