Acura ILX vs. Kia Optima
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Acura ILX and 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 Acura ILX and the Kia Optima.
When we compare the Acura ILX's and the Kia Optima's specifications and ratings, the Acura ILX has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, resale value, overall quality score and base engine power. The Kia Optima has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, reliability and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Acura ILX's and the Kia Optima's specifications and ratings, the Acura ILX is a better car than the Kia Optima.
Pricing: A used 2020 Acura ILX ranges from $18,599 to $26,893 while a used 2020 Kia Optima is priced between $13,949 to $22,944.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Acura ILX loses 40.8 percent of its value and the Kia Optima loses 43.1 percent of its value. This means the Acura ILX retains 2.3 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Kia Optima.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Acura ILX is 8.6 out of 10 while the Kia Optima's quality rating is 8.6 out of 10. This results in the Acura ILX being ranked 5 out of 36 Best Luxury Small Cars and the Kia Optima being ranked 7 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Acura ILX is 7.7 out of 10. For the Kia Optima the reliability rating is 7.8 out of 10. This gives the Kia Optima a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Acura ILX.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Acura ILX’s base engine makes 201 horsepower, and the Kia Optima base engine makes 185 horsepower. The ILX is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 449 miles. The Optima is rated to deliver an average of 27 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 592 miles.This gives the Acura ILX the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Kia Optima the advantage in maximum range. The ILX uses premium unleaded, and the Optima uses regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Kia Optima, a midsize car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Acura ILX and the Kia Optima have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$25,900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$41,892
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$25,900 - $53,950
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$23,390
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
$25,348
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$22,095 - $35,995
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$22,644
Price Range:
$18,599 - $26,893
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$32,136
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$22,644 - $45,083
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
81
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
50,341
# Good or Great Deals:
17
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$17,665
Price Range:
$13,949 - $22,944
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
$21,688
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$17,665 - $30,211
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
574
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
72,603
# Good or Great Deals:
224
Acura ILX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
7.7 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 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 Acura ILX
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
7
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
4.1 - 10.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
8.9%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Optima
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
5.3
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
6
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
5.3 - 9
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
5.3%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
3.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.9 - 27.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.7
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.2 - 16.8
Acura ILX Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
5 out of / 36Ranking
8 out of / 36Ranking
11 out of / 36Ranking
20 out of / 36Ranking
21 out of / 36Ranking
21 out of / 36Ranking
34 out of / 36Kia 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
Acura ILX Trim Levels
Base, w/Premium, w/Premium w/A-SPEC, w/Tech, w/Tech w/A-SPEC
Kia Optima Trim Levels
EX, EX Premium, LX, S, Special Edition, SX Turbo
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 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
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
201 hp @ 6800 rpm
Torque:
180 foot-lbs @ 3600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.065 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):
317 / 449 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium 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
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
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
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
35.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.6 inches
Cargo Space:
12.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
89.3 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:
3095 lbs
Width:
70.6 inches
Height:
55.6 inches
Length:
182.2 inches
Wheelbase:
105.1 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:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P215/45R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
205/65R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Majestic Black Pearl
Gray
Modern Steel Metallic
Red
Performance Red Pearl
Silver
Lunar Silver Metallic
White
Platinum White Pearl
Blue
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Ebony Black
Gray
Gravity Gray
Red
Sangria
Silver
Sparkling Silver
White
Snow White Pearl
Blue
Horizon Blue
Interior Colors
Black
Ebony
Brown
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Brown
Brown