Lexus IS vs Kia Optima
Overview | |
Years produced2001-2020 | Years produced2001-Present |
MSRP$22,900 | MSRP$39,125 |
Listings4152 | Listings4784 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews9.0 out of 10 | Expert reviews8.2 out of 10 |
Pros
Cons
| |
Reviews SummaryEven though Americans appear to be trading in cars for good, the midsize family sedan looks better than it’s ever been. Nearly every choice in the segment sports impressive design, engineering, and equipment, and the 2019 Kia Optima shows just how good a typical midsize car can be. From its stylish looks and wide range of engine choices to its roomy interior and sophisticated safety technologies, the 2019 Optima is more than just a great value. It’s a great car. | |
Reviews SummaryAfter a substantial refresh for the 2021 model year, the 2022 Lexus IS lineup returns with a handful of minor updates and a significant improvement in performance. The new 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance also debuts this year, packing a normally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 and laugh-riot driving dynamics. We sampled the new 2022 IS 500 in the suburbs and outskirts of Phoenix, and if you’re among the driving enthusiasts who miss the discontinued Lexus GS F, this is a credible substitute. | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.4L 185 hp I4 | Engine2.0L 241 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainRWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower185 hp @ 6000 rpm | Horsepower241 hp @ 5800 rpm |
MPG City24 | MPG City21 |
MPG Highway33 | MPG Highway31 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.4L 185 hp I4 | Engine Name2.0L 241 hp I4 |
Torque178 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | Torque258 lb-ft @ 1650 rpm |
Horsepower185 hp @ 6000 rpm | Horsepower241 hp @ 5800 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainRWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City24 | MPG City21 |
MPG Highway33 | MPG Highway31 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space15.9 cu ft | Cargo Space10.8 cu ft |
Curb Weight3230 lbs | Curb Weight3715 lbs |
Height57.7 in | Height56.5 in |
Length191.1 in | Length185.4 in |
Width73.2 in | Width72.4 in |
Wheelbase110.4 in | Wheelbase110.2 in |
Maximum Payload | Maximum Payload825 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
Years produced | 2001-2020 | 2001-Present |
MSRP | $22,900 | $39,125 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 9.0 out of 10Read full review | 8.2 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
Cons
| |
Summary | Even though Americans appear to be trading in cars for good, the midsize family sedan looks better than it’s ever been. Nearly every choice in the segment sports impressive design, engineering, and equipment, and the 2019 Kia Optima shows just how good a typical midsize car can be. From its stylish looks and wide range of engine choices to its roomy interior and sophisticated safety technologies, the 2019 Optima is more than just a great value. It’s a great car. | After a substantial refresh for the 2021 model year, the 2022 Lexus IS lineup returns with a handful of minor updates and a significant improvement in performance. The new 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance also debuts this year, packing a normally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 and laugh-riot driving dynamics. We sampled the new 2022 IS 500 in the suburbs and outskirts of Phoenix, and if you’re among the driving enthusiasts who miss the discontinued Lexus GS F, this is a credible substitute. |
Video | ||
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.4L 185 hp I4 | 2.0L 241 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | RWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 185 hp @ 6000 rpm | 241 hp @ 5800 rpm |
MPG City | 24 | 21 |
MPG Highway | 33 | 31 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.4L 185 hp I4 | 2.0L 241 hp I4 |
Torque | 178 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 258 lb-ft @ 1650 rpm |
Horsepower | 185 hp @ 6000 rpm | 241 hp @ 5800 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 24 | 21 |
MPG Highway | 33 | 31 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 4 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 15.9 cu ft | 10.8 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3230 lbs | 3715 lbs |
Height | 57.7 in | 56.5 in |
Length | 191.1 in | 185.4 in |
Width | 73.2 in | 72.4 in |
Wheelbase | 110.4 in | 110.2 in |
Maximum Payload | 825 lbs | |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |

By: CarGurus + AI
At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.







































