How much does the Kia Optima cost in today's market?

Used Kia Optima prices span a wide range depending on model year. Here's what the market looks like right now:

The Kia Optima's current nationwide average price is $10,397, and its year-round low is $10,412.62. That puts you in a fairly broad shopping range depending on how new you want to go and how much equipment you want. Recently, prices have come down for the 2018, 2019, and 2020 models, making now a good time to shop recent model years.

Is the Kia Optima a good car?

Yes — the Kia Optima earns strong marks from owners across the lineup, and the all-generations owner rating is 4.6/5 across every model year in the data. Owners repeatedly praise its stylish design, comfort, smooth ride, value, and fuel efficiency, while also calling out its well-rounded feel and appealing feature content.

Expert reviews rate the 2019 and 2016 models among the highest across all years.

The main trade-offs that show up in expert feedback are slower acceleration in some versions, limited features in lower trims, and a few comfort or convenience touches that higher trims add. Even so, the Optima's overall mix of value, ride quality, and equipment makes it an easy car to recommend for used shoppers.

26.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Are Kia Optima models reliable?

Owners consistently describe the Kia Optima as comfortable, stylish, and dependable, and expert feedback reinforces its strong everyday usability and polished driving manners. Across the model years in the data, it comes across as a sedan that delivers a reassuring ownership experience with broad appeal.

• Owners rate the Kia Optima between 4.18 and 4.89 out of 5 stars across all model years in the data.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that some model years have recurring concerns around maintenance, repairs, or specific mechanical issues, so a careful pre-purchase inspection and service-history review are smart moves.

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

Across all model years, at 52.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

Key things to evaluate:

• Safety package: Kia’s advanced driving assistance systems include 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.
• Infotainment: An 8-inch touchscreen display with Your Voice (UVO) technology, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Siri Eyes Free, voice recognition, a USB port, and a reversing camera.
• Fuel efficiency: The former returns 41 mpg in combined driving, and the latter gives you up to 28 miles of pure electric range before reverting to gas-electric hybrid operation.

Which Kia Optima trim should I buy?

The 2019 Kia Optima offers...

• LX: The entry trim includes the 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a full suite of driver-assistance and collision-avoidance systems, making it the value-focused starting point.
• S: This trim adds satellite radio and UVO eServices, including 9-1-1 Connect emergency response, while keeping the Optima's broad everyday appeal.
• EX Turbo: This version adds the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and UVO eServices, giving you a stronger blend of efficiency and equipment.
• SX Turbo: This trim brings the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, navigation, HD Radio, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, sport-tuned suspension components, bigger front brakes, and a rack-mounted electrically assisted steering system.
• SX Turbo with the Limited Package: This is the luxury-leaning choice, adding chrome, plush quilted Nappa premium leather, improved interior materials, and other upscale touches.

What Kia Optima do most buyers choose?

The Kia Optima years with the most listings are 2019, 2018, and 2020.

These higher-volume years tend to be the most popular used picks because they give you more inventory to compare, more pricing competition, and a better chance of finding the trim and equipment mix you want. They also line up with stronger deal percentages, which can make shopping feel easier and more flexible.

What is the Kia Optima's resale value?

The table shows broad downward movement across the lineup, which is good news if you're shopping used and want to benefit from lower asking prices. The biggest drops are concentrated in the newer model years, while the older ones show smaller changes. That pattern gives you more room to find value without giving up the features you want.

The 2014, 2019, and 2018 model years have held their value best, with the smallest year-over-year price changes.

Is the Kia Optima safe?

• 2019: 9/10
• 2016: 10/10

Kia’s advanced driving assistance systems include 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.

For the safest used buy, the 2016 model posts the highest confirmed score of 10/10.

Should I buy a used Kia Optima now or wait for the next model?

Buy now if:

• Price trend: The 2019 model is at −6.45% versus a year ago, and the 2018 model is at −7.06%.
• Deal availability: The 2019 model has 28.7% good and great deals, and the 2018 model has 29.5%.
• Sweet-spot year: The 2019 model has the most listings at a current average price of $12,319. The Kia Optima offers a roomy interior and a smooth, comfortable driving character that make it easy to live with every day.

Consider waiting if:

• Powertrain/efficiency: If we include the hybrid powertrains, Kia offers five different engines in the 2019 Optima. Base LX and sporty S trim get a 185-horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, while the mid-grade EX Turbo employs a fuel-efficient turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder whipping up 178 hp and plenty of usable torque.
• Tech: It includes an 8-inch touchscreen display with the latest version of the company’s Your Voice (UVO) technology, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Siri Eyes Free, voice recognition, a USB port, and a reversing camera.
• Safety: Every Optima has standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert systems.
• Starting price: Prices range from $22,900 for the base Optima LX to $35,790 for the SX Turbo with the luxurious Limited Package.

If you're buying used today, the 2019 model year offers the best mix of value and availability. If you want the latest tech and features, it may be worth waiting for 2021 inventory to mature.

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