2018 Kia Optima LX vs. S
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2018 Kia Optima LX and 2018 Kia Optima S 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 2018 Kia Optima LX and the 2018 Kia Optima S.
When we compare the 2018 Kia Optima LX's and the 2018 Kia Optima S's specifications and ratings, the 2018 Kia Optima LX has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, and fuel efficiency. The 2018 Kia Optima LX and 2018 Kia Optima S have the same interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2018 Kia Optima LX's and the 2018 Kia Optima S's specifications and ratings, the 2018 Kia Optima LX is a better car than the 2018 Kia Optima S.
Pricing: A used 2018 Kia Optima LX ranges from $7,673 to $16,768 while a used 2018 Kia Optima S is priced between $8,061 to $17,593.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate, the 2018 Kia Optima LX and the 2018 Kia Optima S 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 2018 Kia Optima LX and the 2018 Kia Optima S makes 185 horsepower. The LX is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 629 miles. The S is rated to deliver an average of 26 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 592 miles. This gives the 2018 Kia Optima LX the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the 2018 Kia Optima S. 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.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
22600
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
23460
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
21680 - 31900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
23600
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
23460
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
21680 - 31900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
12099
Price Range:
7673 - 16768
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
15852
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
12763 - 22022
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
186
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
74
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
12888
Price Range:
8061 - 17593
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
15852
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
12763 - 22022
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
56
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
20
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 2018 Kia Optima LX
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
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2018 Kia Optima S
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:
2.821749947785285
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
4.0
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.7 - 11.6
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
Ranking
2 out of / 4Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 4Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Kia Optima Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 4Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 4Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Other Kia Optima Trim Levels
EX, LX Turbo, S, SX Turbo
Other Kia Optima Trim Levels
EX, LX, LX Turbo, 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):
0.055 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):
23 / 32 / 26
Range (city/hwy):
426 / 592 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
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:
3362 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:
17.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/55R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Ebony Black
Blue
Horizon Blue
Brown
Granite Brown
Gray
Platinum Graphite
Red
Sangria
Silver
Silky Silver / Sparkling Silver / Titanium Silver
White
Snow White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Beige
Black
Black
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Not available
