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2017 Kia Optima vs. 2018 Kia Optima

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2017 Kia Optima and 2018 Kia Optima contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2017 Kia Optima and the 2018 Kia Optima.

When comparing the 2017 Kia Optima's and the 2018 Kia Optima's specifications and ratings, the 2017 Kia Optima has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for used cars. The 2017 Kia Optima and 2018 Kia Optima have the same fuel efficiency, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2017 Kia Optima's and the 2018 Kia Optima's specifications and ratings, the 2017 Kia Optima is a better car than the 2018 Kia Optima.

Pricing: A used 2017 Kia Optima ranges from $7,136 to $16,876 while a used 2018 Kia Optima is priced between $7,990 to $17,578.

Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate, the 2017 Kia Optima and the 2018 Kia Optima both lose 47.6 percent of their value.

Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Kia Optima is 7.8 out of 10. Kia Optima is ranked 8 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars based on its reliability, retained value, and safety ratings.

Reliability Rating: iSeeCars' Reliability Rating for the Kia Optima is 7.3 out of 10.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the base engine of both the 2017 Kia Optima and the 2018 Kia Optima makes 185 horsepower. Both the Optima and the Optima are rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 629 miles. Both models use regular unleaded.

Safety Ratings: The Kia Optima has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.

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Model & Pricing
2017 Kia Optima
2018 Kia Optima

2017 Kia Optima
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2017 Kia Optima for Sale

2018 Kia Optima
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2018 Kia Optima for Sale

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

-

Starting MSRP:

22200

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)

23324

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)

21600 - 34475

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

-

Starting MSRP:

22600

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)

23460

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)

21680 - 31900

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

11800

Price Range:

7136 - 16876

Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)

13614

Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)

11658 - 17832

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

159

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

102052

# Good or Great Deals:

65

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

12781

Price Range:

7990 - 17578

Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)

15852

Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)

12763 - 22022

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

325

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

96579

# Good or Great Deals:

129

Kia Optima Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

7.8 / 10

Reliability:

7.3 / 10

Retained Value:

8.0 / 10

Safety:

8.0 / 10

Kia Optima Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

7.8 / 10

Reliability:

7.3 / 10

Retained Value:

8.0 / 10

Safety:

8.0 / 10



iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2017 Kia Optima

Remaining Life Expectancy (years):

0.9

Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)

2.9

Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)

0.5 - 5.6

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

0.062

iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2018 Kia Optima

Remaining Life Expectancy (years):

1.9

Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)

3.6

Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)

0.8 - 6.6

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

0.062



Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

3.6503811498087924

Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)

3.3

Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)

1.3 - 6.3

Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

2.821749947785285

Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)

4.0

Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)

1.7 - 11.6

Kia Optima Rankings

Best Midsize Cars Under $25k

2 / 4

Best Midsize Cars for Tall People

3 / 13

Most Reliable Midsize Cars Under $25k

4 / 4

Midsize Cars with Best Resale Value

7 / 13

Midsize Cars with the Most Horsepower

7 / 13

Safest Midsize Cars

7 / 13

Best Midsize Cars

8 / 13

Most Reliable Midsize Cars

9 / 13

Kia Optima Rankings

Best Midsize Cars Under $25k

2 / 4

Best Midsize Cars for Tall People

3 / 13

Most Reliable Midsize Cars Under $25k

4 / 4

Midsize Cars with Best Resale Value

7 / 13

Midsize Cars with the Most Horsepower

7 / 13

Safest Midsize Cars

7 / 13

Best Midsize Cars

8 / 13

Most Reliable Midsize Cars

9 / 13

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

2017 Kia Optima Trim Levels

EX, LX, LX Turbo, SX Turbo, SXL Turbo

2018 Kia Optima Trim Levels

EX, LX, LX Turbo, S, SX Turbo

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

10 years / 100000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

10 years / 100000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

5 years / 60000 miles

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

185 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque:

178 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.057 hp per pound

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

185 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque:

178 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.057 hp per pound

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2.4 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Automatic

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


24 / 34 / 28

Range (city/hwy):

444 / 629 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Regular Unleaded

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2.4 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Automatic

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


24 / 34 / 28

Range (city/hwy):

444 / 629 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Regular Unleaded

Standard/Optional Features

Alloy wheels:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Satellite radio:

Standard

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Available

Android Auto:

Available

Apple CarPlay:

Available

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Heated Seats

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

Available

Keyless Ignition:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Paddle Shifters:

Available

Parking Sensors:

Available

Power Lift Gate:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Voice Recognition:

Available

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Internet Radio:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Roadside assistance:

N/A

Roof Rack:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Wifi:

N/A

Standard/Optional Features

Alloy wheels:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Satellite radio:

Standard

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Available

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Heated Seats

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

N/A

Keyless Ignition:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Paddle Shifters:

Available

Parking Sensors:

Standard

Power Lift Gate:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

N/A

Air Suspension:

N/A

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Internet Radio:

Standard

Massage Seats:

N/A

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Roof Rack:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Wifi:

N/A

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

Available

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Available

Forward Collision Warning:

Available

Lane Departure Warning:

Available

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Available

Driver Attention Monitoring:

N/A

Lane Keeping Assist:

N/A

Pedestrian Detection:

N/A

Rear Seat Reminder:

N/A

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Standard

Forward Collision Warning:

N/A

Lane Departure Warning:

N/A

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

Driver Attention Monitoring:

N/A

Lane Keeping Assist:

N/A

Pedestrian Detection:

N/A

Rear Seat Reminder:

N/A

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

39.8 inches

Front Leg Room:

45.5 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

58.1 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.8 inches

Rear Leg Room:

35.6 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

56.4 inches

Cargo Space:

15.9 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

104.8 cubic feet

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

39.8 inches

Front Leg Room:

45.5 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

58.1 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.8 inches

Rear Leg Room:

35.6 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

56.4 inches

Cargo Space:

15.9 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

104.8 cubic feet

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

3219 lbs

Width:

73.2 inches

Height:

57.7 inches

Length:

191.1 inches

Wheelbase:

110.4 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.3 inches

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

3219 lbs

Width:

73.2 inches

Height:

57.7 inches

Length:

191.1 inches

Wheelbase:

110.4 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.3 inches

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

16.0 x 6.5 inches

Wheel Type:

aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

205/65R16

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

16.0 x 6.5 inches

Wheel Type:

aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

205/65R16

Exterior Colors

Black

Aurora Black Pearl / Ebony Black

Blue

Horizon Blue

Gray

Platinum Graphite

Red

Sangria

Silver

Silky Silver / Sparkling Silver / Titanium Silver

White

Snow White Pearl

Brown

Not available

Exterior Colors

Black

Ebony Black

Blue

Horizon Blue

Gray

Platinum Graphite

Red

Sangria

Silver

Silky Silver / Sparkling Silver / Titanium Silver

White

Snow White Pearl

Brown

Granite Brown

Interior Colors

Beige

Beige

Black

Black

Interior Colors

Beige

Beige

Black

Black

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