2018 Kia Optima vs. 2019 Kia Optima
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2018 Kia Optima and 2019 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 2018 Kia Optima and the 2019 Kia Optima.
When comparing the 2018 Kia Optima's and the 2019 Kia Optima's specifications and ratings, the 2018 Kia Optima has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, and fuel efficiency. The 2018 Kia Optima and 2019 Kia Optima have the same interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2018 Kia Optima's and the 2019 Kia Optima's specifications and ratings, the 2018 Kia Optima is a better car than the 2019 Kia Optima.
Pricing: A used 2018 Kia Optima ranges from $9,994 to $18,998 while a used 2019 Kia Optima is priced between $11,848 to $21,235.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate, the 2018 Kia Optima and the 2019 Kia Optima both lose 43.1 percent of their value.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Kia Optima is 8.6 out of 10. Kia Optima is ranked 7 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 7.8 out of 10.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the base engine of both the 2018 Kia Optima and the 2019 Kia Optima makes 185 horsepower. The Optima is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 629 miles. The Optima is rated to deliver an average of 27 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 611 miles. This gives the 2018 Kia Optima the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the 2019 Kia Optima. 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:
$22,600
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
$23,460
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$21,680 - $31,900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$22,900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
$25,231
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$22,090 - $35,845
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$14,578
Price Range:
$9,994 - $18,998
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
$17,782
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$14,578 - $25,306
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
442
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
86,007
# Good or Great Deals:
157
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$16,374
Price Range:
$11,848 - $21,235
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
$19,884
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$16,374 - $28,348
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
640
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
76,756
# Good or Great Deals:
237
Kia Optima Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
7.8 / 10
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Kia Optima Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
7.8 / 10
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2018 Kia Optima
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
3.3
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
4
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
3.3 - 7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
5.3%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2019 Kia Optima
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
4.3
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
5
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
4.3 - 8
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
5.3%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
4.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
2 - 14.2
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
2.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.3 - 16
Kia Optima Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 13Kia Optima Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 13Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
2018 Kia Optima Trim Levels
EX, LX, LX Turbo, S, SX Turbo
2019 Kia Optima Trim Levels
EX, LX, 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 / 33 / 27
Range (city/hwy):
444 / 611 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
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
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
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
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:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
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:
3230 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
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
Ebony Black
Blue
Horizon Blue
Brown
Not available
Gray
Gravity Gray / Platinum Graphite
Red
Sangria
Silver
Sparkling Silver
White
Snow White Pearl
Interior Colors
Beige
Beige
Black
Black
Brown
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Black
Brown
Brown
