Used 2019 Kia Optima for Sale nearJersey City, NJ

How much does the 2019 Kia Optima cost?

Prices have softened 8.19% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,430 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare on price, mileage, and condition.

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, which points to broad appeal for used-car shoppers. 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. That lines up well with the overview: you’re looking at a midsize sedan aimed at buyers who want a family car that feels well equipped and thoughtfully designed, not just inexpensive.

The market also looks supportive, with 31.0% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2019 Kia Optima reliable?

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

In owner feedback, the Optima is described as dependable in the sense that it delivers great value, numerous features, and a smooth ride without feeling like a compromise. The same feedback also points to a car that many owners feel good about keeping for the long haul.

On the road, the expert evaluation reinforces that impression with smooth, linear acceleration and a generally agreeable driving character. The car’s value-oriented ownership experience is further supported by the brand’s strong warranty reputation and free connected-service offerings.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about finding one that has been maintained well and hasn’t accumulated wear from heavy use.

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

At 52.1% 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 asking price. Focus on body condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the car’s safety and convenience features still work as intended.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX already includes a strong safety feature set, while higher trims add more comfort and tech. The SX Turbo stands out with a blacked-out appearance, 18-inch wheels, red brake calipers, upgraded instrumentation, and available luxury touches from the Limited Package.
• Powertrain: The lineup includes a 185-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder in LX and S, a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder in EX Turbo, and a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder in SX Turbo. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions are separate models.
• 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, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Siri Eyes Free, voice recognition, a USB port, and a reversing camera. S and EX Turbo add satellite radio and UVO eServices, while SX Turbo adds 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 4 trim levels: LX, S, EX Turbo, SX Turbo.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the value play if you want the Optima’s core strengths at the lowest entry point. You still get the standard 8-inch touchscreen and the full suite of driver-assistance features, so it covers the essentials well.
• S: This trim adds satellite radio and UVO eServices, including 9-1-1 Connect emergency response and smartphone-based remote functions. It makes sense if you want a little more convenience without jumping too far up the price ladder.
• EX Turbo: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it combines the fuel-efficient turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with the added tech of satellite radio and UVO eServices. If you want a nicer daily driver without going all the way to the top, this is the one to focus on.
• SX Turbo: Choose this if you want the most upscale and performance-oriented version of the gas model. It adds the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, navigation, HD Radio, a Harman Kardon audio system, sport-tuned suspension, and a more distinctive appearance.

Every Optima includes the same core safety suite, with adaptive cruise control and the surround-view camera available as upgrades.

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

The market looks selective but workable for a shopper who is ready to compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 31.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,430 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.19% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 52.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,702, 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 $11,704 sits slightly below last year's $12,748.

That kind of price movement suggests the Optima has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future resale stability if you buy at the right price. For you, that means the biggest resale advantage comes from choosing a clean, well-kept example rather than stretching for a higher-mileage car with a questionable history.

Because the market is still offering a decent number of listings and a fair share of good deals, you have a chance to buy below the average and leave yourself more room when it’s time to sell. A well-maintained Optima with strong equipment and a clean record should be easier to move later than one with accident history or visible wear.

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 ratings across the board from IIHS except for child safety seat LATCH anchor accessibility, which is rated Acceptable rather than Good. It also earns four-star ratings for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision and five-star ratings in all other NHTSA tests, 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 that the LATCH anchor accessibility result is not as strong as the rest of the safety record, so if you regularly install child seats, that’s worth checking closely during your test drive.

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:

• 31.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 52.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.19% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.77/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2019 stands out for its wide range of engine choices, roomy interior, and sophisticated safety technologies.

The bottom line: If you want the strongest mix of value, safety tech, and equipment, the 2019 is the smart target year to shop. If you’re especially price-sensitive, focus on the best-maintained examples with clean history and compare them against nearby years only if you find a meaningfully better deal.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 20, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.