Used 2019 Kia Optima for Sale near Illinois

How much does the 2019 Kia Optima cost?

Prices have softened 7.57% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,400 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2019 Kia Optima a good car?

Yes — the 2019 Kia Optima earns a 4.77/5 user rating 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 commuting and family duty.

The market also shows 30.1% of listings as good or great deals, so you still have room to shop carefully.

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 and trouble-free in day-to-day use, with many drivers saying they appreciate the value and the way it holds up as a family sedan. The expert evaluation also emphasizes strong value, competitive pricing, and one of the best warranty programs in the industry, which supports confidence in ownership.

The Optima’s maintenance and ownership story looks favorable for used buyers, but you should still verify service history and overall condition before you commit.

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

At 55.9% 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 car with a lower price or a higher-mileage profile. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the safety and driver-assistance systems operate as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX already includes a strong safety and convenience package, while higher trims add more comfort, tech, and appearance upgrades. If you want the best balance of equipment and value, look closely at the midrange trims rather than jumping straight to the top.
• Powertrain: The lineup includes a 185-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, a fuel-efficient turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder, and a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 245 hp and 260 pound-feet of torque. The available hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions add efficiency-focused alternatives.
• Safety package: 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.
• Infotainment: Standard equipment includes an 8-inch touchscreen, UVO technology, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Siri Eyes Free, voice recognition, a USB port, and a reversing camera. Higher trims add satellite radio, UVO eServices, navigation, HD Radio, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The hybrid returns 41 mpg in combined driving, the plug-in hybrid offers up to 28 miles of pure electric range, and the SX Turbo averaged 23.5 mpg in testing against an EPA estimate of 24 mpg combined.

Which 2019 Kia Optima trim should I buy?

The 2019 Kia Optima is offered in 5 trim levels: LX, S, EX Turbo, SX Turbo, and SX Turbo with the Limited Package.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the value-focused starting point, and it already gives you the Optima’s core safety tech plus the standard 8-inch touchscreen and smartphone integration. It makes sense if you want the lowest entry price and don’t need extra comfort or luxury features.
• S: This trim adds satellite radio and UVO eServices, so it’s a smart step up if you want more connected features without moving too far up the price ladder.
• EX Turbo: This is the best-value pick for many shoppers because it combines the fuel-efficient turbocharged engine with the added convenience of satellite radio and UVO eServices. It’s the trim to target if you want a well-rounded daily driver.
• SX Turbo: This trim brings the stronger 2.0-liter turbo engine, sport-tuned suspension, bigger front brakes, a rack-mounted steering setup, navigation, HD Radio, and a Harman Kardon audio system. Choose it if you want the most engaging and best-equipped gas model.
• SX Turbo with the Limited Package: This is the luxury-leaning choice, adding chrome accents, quilted Nappa premium leather, improved interior materials, and other upscale touches. It’s the one to buy if cabin feel matters most.

Every Optima includes the core safety suite, and the available adaptive cruise control and surround-view camera are worth seeking out if you want the most complete driver-assistance setup.

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 comparison shopping worthwhile.

• Deal availability: 30.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,400 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.57% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 55.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,914, 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 $12,004 sits slightly below last year's $12,986.

That decline suggests the market has become more favorable for buyers, but it also means future sellers may face some pricing pressure if the broader trend continues. If you buy now, you’re entering at a lower average price than a year ago, which can help reduce the amount of value you stand to lose later.

The Optima’s strong owner satisfaction should 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 Optima earns top ratings across the board from IIHS except for child safety seat LATCH anchor accessibility, which earns an Acceptable rather than a Good rating. Meanwhile, the federal government gives the Optima four-star ratings for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision and five-star ratings in every other test, including rollover resistance.

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.

The main caveat is the LATCH anchor accessibility result, so if you’re shopping for a family vehicle and plan to install child seats often, that’s worth checking carefully in person.

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:

• 30.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 55.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.57% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.77/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2019 stands out for its broad safety tech, roomy interior, and strong value proposition.

The bottom line: The 2019 is the right choice if you want a well-equipped midsize sedan with strong safety tech, good owner satisfaction, and a softer used-car price than it had a year ago. If you’re especially price-sensitive, you can still shop aggressively for a lower-mileage example or a listing near the bottom of the range, but the 2019 itself already looks like a sensible buy.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.