BMW 3 Series vs. Kia Optima
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW 3 Series 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 BMW 3 Series and the Kia Optima.
When comparing the BMW 3 Series's and the Kia Optima's specifications and ratings, the BMW 3 Series has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency 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, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. The BMW 3 Series and Kia Optima have the same Based on this comparison of the BMW 3 Series's and the Kia Optima's specifications and ratings, the Kia Optima is a better car than the BMW 3 Series.
Pricing: A used 2020 BMW 3 Series ranges from $18,490 to $42,999 while a used 2020 Kia Optima is priced between $10,496 to $21,500.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW 3 Series loses 51.4 percent of its value and the Kia Optima loses 47.6 percent of its value. This means the Kia Optima retains 3.8 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW 3 Series.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW 3 Series is 7.7 out of 10 while the Kia Optima's quality rating is 7.8 out of 10. This results in the BMW 3 Series being ranked 15 out of 36 Best Luxury Small Cars and the Kia Optima being ranked 8 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars' Reliability Rating for the BMW 3 Series and Kia Optima is 7.3 out of 10.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW 3 Series’s base engine makes 255 horsepower, and the Kia Optima base engine makes 185 horsepower. The 3 Series is rated to deliver an average of 30 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 562 miles. The Optima is rated to deliver an average of 27 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 592 miles.This gives the BMW 3 Series the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Kia Optima the advantage in maximum range. The 3 Series 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 BMW 3 Series and the Kia Optima have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
40750
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
41892
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
25900 - 53950
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
23390
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
25348
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
22095 - 35995
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
28302
Price Range:
18490 - 42999
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
28861
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
21549 - 40914
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
357
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
62208
# Good or Great Deals:
89
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
15850
Price Range:
10496 - 21500
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
19584
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
15850 - 26565
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1007
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
80550
# Good or Great Deals:
346
BMW 3 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.7 / 10
Reliability:
7.3 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 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 BMW 3 Series
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6.0
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
7.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
4.5 - 15.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.027
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Optima
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:
31.53767565406809
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
3.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.9 - 31.5
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
BMW 3 Series Rankings
Ranking
5 out of / 36Ranking
10 out of / 36Ranking
11 out of / 36Ranking
11 out of / 32Ranking
12 out of / 36Ranking
15 out of / 36Ranking
16 out of / 32Ranking
19 out of / 36Ranking
20 out of / 36Ranking
20 out of / 36Kia 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
BMW 3 Series Trim Levels
330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive
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:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
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:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
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:
255 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 1550 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.071 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 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 36 / 30
Range (city/hwy):
406 / 562 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
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
42 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.6 inches
Cargo Space:
13 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
94.0 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:
3589 lbs
Width:
81.4 inches
Height:
56.8 inches
Length:
185.7 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.7 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:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/45R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
205/65R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Blue Ridge Mountain Metallic / Mediterranean Blue Metallic / Portimao Blue Metallic
Brown
Vermont Bronze Metallic
Gray
Mineral Grey Metallic
Orange
Sunset Orange Metallic
Red
Melbourne Red Metallic
Silver
Glacier Silver Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Exterior Colors
Black
Ebony Black
Blue
Horizon Blue
Brown
Not available
Gray
Gravity Gray
Orange
Not available
Red
Sangria
Silver
Sparkling Silver
White
Snow White Pearl
Interior Colors
Beige
Canberra Beige / Canberra Beige/Black w/ Contrast Stitching
Black
Black / Black w/ Blue Contrast Stitching / Black w/ Contrast Stitching / Black w/ Decor Stitching
Brown
Cognac w/ Contrast Stitching / Mocha w/ Contrast Stitching
Gray
Oyster w/ Decor Stitching
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Black
Brown
Brown
Gray
Not available
