Used 2019 Kia Optima for Sale nearSan Diego, CA

How much does the 2019 Kia Optima cost?

Prices have softened 7.23% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,437 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. 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 Optima’s role as a roomy midsize sedan that aims to give you more than just basic transportation.

If you want a family sedan that feels well equipped and easy to live with, this one fits that use case especially well. 29.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so you may find attractive value in the market.

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 many drivers saying they appreciate how well it balances value and features over time. The expert evaluation also emphasizes the Optima’s strong value proposition and its ability to deliver a polished ownership experience.

Kia’s warranty reputation and connected-service offerings add to the sense that this is a car built to be counted on. 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 56.9% 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 the car has been in a collision or shows uneven wear. Focus on body condition, panel alignment, tire wear, and how the safety and driver-assistance systems operate in real driving.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX gives you the core safety and convenience equipment, while higher trims add more comfort, tech, and appearance upgrades. If you want the strongest mix of equipment and value, the mid-to-upper trims are the ones to compare most closely.
• Powertrain: The lineup includes a 185-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder with 178 hp, and a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 245 hp and 260 pound-feet of torque. The 2.0-liter setup is tuned for smooth, linear acceleration rather than hard-hitting performance.
• 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, and the plug-in hybrid offers up to 28 miles of pure electric range before switching to hybrid operation. The 2.0-liter turbo test car averaged 23.5 mpg in testing and was estimated at 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 entry point, but it still gives you the Optima’s core safety tech and a strong standard infotainment setup. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the model without giving up the essentials.
• S: This trim adds more equipment and is a smart step up if you want a better balance of features and value. It’s a good choice if you want more content without jumping too far in price.
• EX Turbo: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the fuel-efficient turbocharged engine and extra convenience and connectivity features. If you want the sweet spot between efficiency, equipment, and price, this is the one to focus on.
• SX Turbo: This is the most powerful and most upscale gas trim, with the 245-hp turbo engine, sport-tuned suspension, upgraded steering, navigation, HD Radio, and premium audio. Choose it if you want the most performance and the richest feature set.

Every Optima includes the core safety suite, and higher trims can add adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and a surround-view camera system.

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: 29.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,437 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.23% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 56.9% 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 $12,204 sits slightly below last year's $13,154.

That decline suggests the market has become more favorable for buyers, but it also means a future seller may need to price competitively to stand out. If you buy well now, you may have less depreciation pressure than someone who paid closer to last year’s average.

Strong 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 Optima earns Top Safety Pick recognition from 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 the IIHS child safety seat LATCH anchor accessibility result, which is rated Acceptable rather than Good. Even so, the overall safety package is a major strength for this model year.

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:

• 29.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 56.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.23% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.77/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2019 Optima stands out for its wide range of engine choices, roomy interior, and sophisticated safety technologies.

The bottom line: If you want a well-rounded midsize sedan with strong value, broad equipment, and a favorable price trend, the 2019 is the primary year to target. If you’re especially price-sensitive, you can still shop carefully within this year’s market and focus on the best-maintained, best-priced examples.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.