Used 2019 Kia Optima for Sale near New Jersey

How much does the 2019 Kia Optima cost?

Prices have softened 7.85% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,433 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

Is the 2019 Kia Optima a good car?

Yes — the 2019 Kia Optima earns 4.8/5 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. That lines up well with the overview’s focus on a roomy interior, wide range of engine choices, and sophisticated safety technologies, making it a strong fit if you want a family sedan that feels well equipped rather than stripped down. There are 28.5% good or great deals in the market, which supports the case for shopping carefully.

Is the 2019 Kia Optima reliable?

Owners rate it 4.8/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a car that feels dependable in daily use, with repeated praise for its great value, smooth ride, and safety options. The expert driving notes also emphasize a refined, well-sorted sedan that delivers smooth, linear acceleration and a comfortable ride, which supports the impression of a car you can count on over time. Kia’s value-oriented ownership proposition adds to that appeal, especially if you want a used sedan that should be easy to live with.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is making sure the specific car you choose has been maintained well and hasn’t been worn down by heavy use.

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

At 52.3% 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 thorough pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has had bodywork or multiple owners. Focus on condition, maintenance records, and how well the safety and infotainment features work in real-world use. Because this model is often bought for value, it’s worth making sure the specific car still feels as solid as the spec sheet suggests.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX gives you the core look and equipment, while higher trims add more upscale appearance details and features. The SX Turbo stands out with a blacked-out exterior look, machined-face 18-inch wheels, red brake calipers, black leather with red inserts, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and upgraded instrumentation. The Limited Package adds chrome, quilted Nappa premium leather, improved interior materials, and other luxury touches, making it the best-value choice if you want the most upscale cabin.
• Powertrain: The standard LX and sporty S 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, plus smooth, linear acceleration rather than aggressive punch.
• 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 available on higher trims.
• 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. S and EX Turbo 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 on the test loop 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 play if you want the lowest entry price and the core Optima experience. You still get the standard 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the full suite of driver-assistance features, so it covers the essentials well.
• S: This trim adds more convenience and tech, including satellite radio and UVO eServices with 9-1-1 Connect. It makes sense if you want a little more equipment 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 connected services and a more upscale feel. If you want a balanced mix of efficiency, features, and everyday comfort, this is the one to target.
• SX Turbo: This is the most powerful and most upscale mainstream 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 performance and the richest feature set, but it is not a true performance sedan.

Kia’s advanced safety systems are standard across the lineup, while adaptive cruise control and the surround-view camera are upgrades on higher trims.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it rewards comparison shopping and quick action on the right listing.

• Deal availability: 28.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,433 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.85% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 52.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,712, 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 $11,726 sits slightly below last year's $12,725.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer today but may also limit upside if you plan to resell soon. For a future seller, the key takeaway is that the Optima’s value is being supported more by affordability and feature content than by price momentum. If you buy well and keep the car in strong condition, you should be better positioned than someone who overpays at the top of the range.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.8/5, 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 every other NHTSA 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 available on higher trims. The main caveat is the lower front-passenger frontal-crash result and the LATCH accessibility rating, so families should pay close attention to child-seat fit and restraint setup.

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:

• 28.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 52.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.85% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — 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, features, and safety in this generation, the 2019 is the smart default. If you’re especially price-sensitive, focus on the best-maintained examples near the low end of the range and compare them carefully against nearby model years before you decide.

How does the 2019 Kia Optima compare to the 2019 Hyundai Sonata?

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