Used 2019 Kia Optima for Sale near South Carolina

How much does the 2019 Kia Optima cost?

Prices have softened 7.48% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,384 listings available, which suggests you should have a workable selection to compare.

Is the 2019 Kia Optima a good car?

Yes — the 2019 Kia Optima earns a 4.8/5 user rating and a 9/10 expert rating. The model scores 10/10 across Form and function and Cost effectiveness.

Owners consistently praise its value, stylish design, smooth ride, and safety features. That lines up well with the Optima’s role as a midsize sedan for you if you want more than basic transportation, especially since the overview emphasizes a roomy interior and sophisticated safety technologies.

The market also looks supportive, with 31.9% of listings marked as good or great deals.

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, with repeated praise for value, features, smooth ride quality, and safety. The expert commentary also reinforces that the Optima is built to be a car you can count on for everyday use, with a well-rounded character rather than a narrow focus.

The safety and value content also supports the idea that this is a trouble-free ownership proposition for many buyers, especially if you want a sedan that balances equipment and cost. 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 51.7% 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 had bodywork or shows uneven panel gaps, tire wear, or warning lights. Focus on condition over mileage alone, because the Optima’s value proposition depends heavily on how well the car has been kept up.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX gives you the core safety and infotainment setup, while higher trims add more luxury and convenience touches such as a panoramic glass roof, upgraded interior materials, navigation, and premium audio. If you want the best value, look closely at the trims that add meaningful equipment without pushing the price too far up.
• Powertrain: The lineup includes a 185-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder, and a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder in higher trims. The performance notes point to smooth, linear acceleration rather than punchy speed, so you should choose based on how much power and refinement you want.
• 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 2.4-liter engine is rated at 24 mpg combined, while the turbocharged 1.6-liter returns 41 mpg in combined driving in hybrid form, and the plug-in hybrid can travel up to 28 miles on electric power 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 Optima’s core appeal: a roomy cabin, standard 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a full set of driver-assistance features. It makes sense if you want the lowest price and still want strong safety and tech value.
• S: This trim adds satellite radio and UVO eServices, including emergency response and smartphone-based remote functions. It’s a smart step up if you want more connected features without jumping too far in price.
• EX Turbo: This is the best-value choice if you want a more upscale feel and the fuel-efficient turbocharged engine. It also brings satellite radio and UVO eServices, making it a strong middle ground for shoppers who want more refinement and efficiency.
• SX Turbo: This is the most powerful and most richly equipped version, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, navigation, HD Radio, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, sport-tuned suspension, and a more distinctive appearance. It suits you if you want the most content and the strongest performance in the lineup.

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 moderately favorable if you’re a selective buyer.

• Deal availability: 31.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,384 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.48% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 51.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,657, 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 $11,657 sits slightly below last year's $12,599.

That tells you the Optima has softened in the used market, which can be good news if you’re buying now but less ideal if you’re planning to sell soon. A lower current price can make the car easier to move for value-focused shoppers, but it also means future resale gains may be limited unless the market shifts.

The good news for a future seller is that the Optima’s strong value reputation, broad equipment list, and solid owner satisfaction can help keep demand steady. Cars that deliver a lot of features for the money tend to stay attractive to used buyers, even when prices are under pressure.

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 Optima earns Top Safety Pick ratings from IIHS and four-star ratings for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision, with 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 also offered on higher trims.

One caveat is that IIHS notes an Acceptable rating for child safety seat LATCH anchor accessibility, so families should pay close attention to how easily child seats fit and secure in the specific car you’re considering.

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:

• 31.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 51.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.48% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2019 model year stands out for its refreshed styling, added driver-assistance features, and broad mix of value, safety, and equipment.

The bottom line: If you want the strongest blend of price, features, and safety, the 2019 is the one to target. If you’re especially price-sensitive, you can still shop carefully and focus on the best-maintained examples, but the 2019’s combination of softened pricing and strong equipment makes it the primary year to consider.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.