Used 2019 Kia Optima for Sale nearSan Diego, CA

How much does the 2019 Kia Optima cost?

Prices have softened 7.73% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,439 listings available, which suggests you should have some room to compare prices and equipment. If you find a listing below $11,917.09, 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, which points to broad appeal on both ownership satisfaction and editorial evaluation. The model scores 10/10 across Form and function and Cost effectiveness.

Owners consistently praise its great value, stylish design, smooth ride, and long list of features. The overview also frames it as a roomy midsize sedan with sophisticated safety technologies, which helps explain why it works well as a practical family car that still feels well equipped. With 28.8% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market still looks favorable for shoppers who want value.

Is the 2019 Kia Optima reliable?

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

The owner feedback also points to a car that feels dependable in everyday use, with praise centered on value, smooth driving, and features that make ownership feel worthwhile over time. The expert evaluation reinforces that impression by describing the Optima as a strong value with a refined safety and equipment package, while the cost-effectiveness commentary highlights competitive pricing, a strong warranty program, and regularly available rebates. 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 prior use.

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

At 55.5% 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 is priced near the low end of the market. Focus on condition details that matter in daily use, including how the cabin, brakes, steering, and safety systems feel during a test drive. If the car has advanced driver-assistance features, make sure they operate smoothly and haven’t been disabled or repaired poorly.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX includes important driver-assistance and collision-avoidance systems, while higher trims add features such as satellite radio, UVO eServices, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, a surround-view camera system, navigation, HD Radio, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system.
• Powertrain: The lineup includes a 185-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder in LX and S, a fuel-efficient 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 has standard 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 and a surround-view camera system are upgrades.
• 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 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.

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 core safety tech that makes the Optima stand out. If you want the lowest-cost way into the model and care most about value and standard driver assistance, this is the trim to start with.
• S: This trim adds satellite radio and UVO eServices, so it makes sense if you want a little more convenience and connected functionality without moving too far up the price ladder.
• EX Turbo: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it pairs the fuel-efficient turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with satellite radio and UVO eServices, giving you a strong mix of efficiency and equipment.
• SX Turbo: This is the most performance-oriented gas trim, with the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, sport-tuned suspension, upgraded steering, bigger brakes, navigation, HD Radio, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. It suits you best if you want the richest feature set and the most engaging driving experience.

Kia’s safety tech is standard across the lineup, while adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and the surround-view camera system remain upgrades.

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 opportunities.

• Deal availability: 28.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,439 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.73% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 55.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,917.09, 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 $12,157 sits slightly below last year's $13,175.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable point if you plan to keep the car for a while. For a future seller, the softer trend means resale upside may be more limited than it was a year ago, so condition and trim choice matter even more. If you buy well and keep the car in strong shape, you’ll be better positioned to protect value 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 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 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 has standard 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. The safety tech is described as refined and easy to live with, which should help you keep it engaged in daily driving. The main caveat is the LATCH anchor accessibility result, so families using child seats should pay close attention to that 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:

• 28.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 55.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.73% 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: The 2019 is a strong choice if you want a midsize sedan that feels well equipped, scores well with owners, and is backed by a market that still offers meaningful deal potential. If you’re especially price-sensitive, you can use the softened pricing and decent inventory to shop selectively and focus on the best-maintained examples rather than rushing into the first low sticker price you see.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.