Used 2019 Kia Optima for Sale near New Jersey

How much does the 2019 Kia Optima cost?

Prices have softened 6.91% 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 amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

If you find a listing below $11,914.07, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

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, and numerous features, and they also like the smooth ride and safety options. In use, it comes across as a roomy midsize sedan that feels more complete than a basic family car, with a strong mix of design, engineering, and equipment.

With 24.5% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market still gives you room to shop selectively.

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 everyday use, with buyers repeatedly highlighting its value and the confidence that comes from living with it over time. The expert evaluation also emphasizes strong value and a well-rounded ownership experience, which supports the idea that this is a car you can count on.

Kia’s ownership proposition is helped by its warranty reputation and free connected services, which can reduce some early ownership friction. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the specific car you choose has been maintained well and hasn’t picked up hidden wear from prior use.

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

At 55.3% 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 pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has any signs of prior bodywork or uneven panel fit. Focus on overall condition, because the best used example is likely to be the one that has been cared for consistently rather than simply the cheapest one on the lot.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX already includes a strong safety and convenience foundation, while higher trims add more luxury and tech. The available information points to a range of trim levels that lets you choose between value-focused and more upscale equipment.
• Powertrain: You get 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. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains are also mentioned separately, with the hybrid returning 41 mpg in combined driving and the plug-in hybrid offering up to 28 miles of pure electric range.
• 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. 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 4 trim levels: LX, S, EX Turbo, SX Turbo.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the value play if you want the strongest starting point for safety and everyday usability without paying for extras you may not need. It already includes the core driver-assistance suite, so it makes sense if you want the best balance of price and equipment.
• S: Choose this if you want a step up in equipment while staying focused on value. It adds to the standard formula without pushing you into the pricier turbo and luxury-oriented trims.
• EX Turbo: This is the best-value trim if you want a more efficient turbocharged engine plus added tech such as satellite radio and UVO eServices. It looks like the sweet spot for shoppers who want more than the base car but do not need the top-end luxury touches.
• SX Turbo: Pick this if you want the most powerful gas-model setup, the sportier chassis tuning, and the richest tech and audio content. It adds the navigation system, HD Radio, and Harman Kardon premium audio, but it is the trim to buy for features rather than pure value.

The safety package is strong across the lineup, and even the entry-level trim gets the core driver-assistance features.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile deals.

• Deal availability: 24.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,430 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.91% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 55.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,914.07, 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 $12,272 sits slightly below last year's $13,183.

That softer pricing suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable entry point today. For a future seller, that also means resale value will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and how well the car has been maintained. If you buy a clean example now, you may be better positioned than someone who pays closer to the top of the range.

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 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the Optima top ratings across the board except for child safety seat LATCH anchor accessibility, which earns an Acceptable rather than a Good rating. Meanwhile, the federal government gives the Optima five-star ratings in every test assessment, including for rollover resistance, except for a four-star rating for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision.

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 capability is available, and a surround-view camera system is also offered.

One caveat is the LATCH anchor accessibility result, which is weaker than the rest of the crash-test performance. Even so, the overall safety package is broad and refined, which should give you confidence if safety is a top priority.

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:

• 24.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 55.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.91% 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: The 2019 is the right pick if you want a well-equipped midsize sedan with strong value and broad safety coverage, especially now that prices have eased. If you’re especially price-sensitive, you can use the softer market to target a cleaner, better-equipped example rather than settling for the cheapest one available.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.