How much does the 2019 Kia Optima cost?

Prices have softened 6.45% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,401 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare across trims and conditions.

If you find a listing below $11,913.86, 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. The overview points to a midsize sedan that feels especially complete for the class, with a roomy interior and a strong mix of design and equipment.

That combination makes it a smart fit if you want a family sedan that feels well equipped without giving up everyday comfort. Good and great deals account for 28.7% of listings, which suggests there are still worthwhile opportunities 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 day-to-day use, with buyers especially appreciating its value and feature content over time. The expert notes also emphasize that Kia backs the Optima with strong value and one of the best warranty programs in the industry, which supports confidence in ownership.

The driving impression reinforces that sense of durability, with smooth, linear power delivery and safety systems that operate with refinement. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the specific car you choose has been maintained well and hasn’t absorbed hidden wear from prior use.

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

At 54.5% 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 aggressively or has incomplete service records. Focus on condition details that matter most in a used sedan: bodywork quality, interior wear, and whether the safety and convenience features still operate as intended.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX includes important driver-assistance and collision-avoidance systems, but the cabin and equipment mix is still more basic than higher trims. The SX Turbo adds a more upscale appearance, upgraded instrumentation, and a blacked-out sporty look, while the Limited Package brings chrome, quilted Nappa premium leather, and improved interior materials.
• Powertrain: The lineup includes a 185-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, a fuel-efficient 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, and the car averaged 23.5 mpg in testing against an EPA estimate of 24 mpg combined.
• 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 is available, and a surround-view camera system is also offered.
• 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. 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 before switching to hybrid operation, and the tested gas model returned 23.5 mpg on a loop where the EPA estimate was 24 mpg combined.

Which 2019 Kia Optima trim should I buy?

The 2019 Kia Optima is offered in 5 trim levels: LX, S, EX Turbo, SX Turbo, and Limited Package.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The LX is the value play, but it lacks the richer cabin materials and extra convenience features found higher up the range. It still gets the full suite of standard driver-assistance tech, which makes it a strong starting point if you want safety without stretching your budget.
• Sweet-spot trim: The EX Turbo is the best balance if you want more refinement without jumping all the way to the sporty or luxury-oriented versions. It adds the fuel-efficient turbocharged engine and satellite radio, plus UVO eServices with emergency response.
• Premium/top trim: The SX Turbo is the most compelling upscale choice because it adds navigation, HD Radio, and the Harman Kardon premium audio system, along with a more distinctive exterior and interior presentation.
• Off-road trim: Not applicable here for typical daily driving.

The safety package is a major strength across the lineup, but the surround-view camera system is an upgrade rather than standard equipment.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory and pricing softness to reward careful shopping.

• Deal availability: 28.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,401 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.45% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 54.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,913.86, 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 $12,319 sits slightly below last year's $13,169.

That price movement suggests the Optima has become more buyer-friendly, which can make it easier for you to purchase at a reasonable entry point today. For a future seller, the softer market means you may not recover as much as you would have a year ago, especially if your car has average mileage or visible wear.

Still, the model's strong value reputation and broad appeal help support demand. 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?

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

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 is available, and the surround-view camera system is another upgrade.

The main caveat is that the LATCH anchor accessibility result is weaker than the rest of the crash-test performance, so families using child seats should pay close attention to installation and fit.

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:

• 28.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 54.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.45% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.77/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2019 Optima stands out for its stylish looks, wide range of engine choices, roomy interior, and sophisticated safety technologies.

The bottom line: If you want a well-equipped midsize sedan with strong value, broad feature content, and a market that currently favors shoppers, the 2019 is a solid choice. If your priority is simply the lowest possible purchase price, you may also want to compare nearby years and focus on the cleanest, best-maintained example rather than the newest badge.

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