Kia Optima LX vs. S
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Optima LX and 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 Kia Optima LX and the Kia Optima S.
When comparing the Kia Optima LX's and the Kia Optima S's specifications and ratings, the Kia Optima LX has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. The Kia Optima LX and Kia Optima S have the same fuel efficiency, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Kia Optima LX's and the Kia Optima S's specifications and ratings, the Kia Optima LX is a better car than the Kia Optima S.
Pricing: A used 2020 Kia Optima LX ranges from $9,993 to $20,684 while a used 2020 Kia Optima S is priced between $12,388 to $21,899.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate, the Kia Optima LX and the 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 Kia Optima LX and the Kia Optima S makes 185 horsepower. Both the LX and the S are rated to deliver an average of 27 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 592 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.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
23390
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
25348
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
22095 - 35995
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
24890
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
25348
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
22095 - 35995
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
14964
Price Range:
9993 - 20684
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
19584
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
15850 - 26565
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
312
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
127
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
17203
Price Range:
12388 - 21899
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
19584
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
15850 - 26565
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
123
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
47
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 Kia Optima LX
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
3.9
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
5.6
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
2.8 - 8.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.062
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Optima S
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
3.9
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
5.6
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
2.8 - 8.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.062
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.5819787738035855
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
3.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.1 - 13.2
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.5819787738035855
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
3.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.1 - 13.2
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, EX Premium, S, Special Edition, SX Turbo
Other Kia Optima Trim Levels
EX, EX Premium, LX, Special Edition, 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):
0.056 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 / 32 / 27
Range (city/hwy):
444 / 592 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 / 32 / 27
Range (city/hwy):
444 / 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
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
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
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
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
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:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
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:
3230 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:
3298 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:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Ebony Black
Blue
Horizon Blue
Gray
Gravity Gray
Red
Sangria
Silver
Sparkling Silver
White
Snow White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Brown
Brown
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
Brown
Not available
