Buick LaCrosse vs. Kia Optima
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Buick LaCrosse 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 Buick LaCrosse and the Kia Optima.
When comparing the Buick LaCrosse's and the Kia Optima's specifications and ratings, the Buick LaCrosse has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, reliability 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. Based on this comparison of the Buick LaCrosse's and the Kia Optima's specifications and ratings, the Kia Optima is a better car than the Buick LaCrosse.
Pricing: A used 2019 Buick LaCrosse ranges from $17,644 to $30,104 while a used 2019 Kia Optima is priced between $11,848 to $21,235.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Buick LaCrosse loses 51.8 percent of its value and the Kia Optima loses 43.1 percent of its value. This means the Kia Optima retains 8.7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Buick LaCrosse.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Buick LaCrosse is 8.4 out of 10 while the Kia Optima's quality rating is 8.6 out of 10. This results in the Buick LaCrosse being ranked 1 out of 24 Best Luxury Large Cars and the Kia Optima being ranked 7 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Buick LaCrosse is 7.8 out of 10. For the Kia Optima the reliability rating is 7.8 out of 10. This gives the Buick LaCrosse a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Kia Optima.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Buick LaCrosse’s base engine makes 194 horsepower, and the Kia Optima base engine makes 185 horsepower. The LaCrosse is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 553 miles. The Optima is rated to deliver an average of 27 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 611 miles.This gives the Buick LaCrosse the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Kia Optima the advantage in maximum range. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Kia Optima has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, and cargo space. The Buick LaCrosse has the advantage in the areas of rear shoulder room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Buick LaCrosse and the Kia Optima have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$29,570
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Large Cars)
$77,288
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
$29,570 - $134,300
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:
$23,828
Price Range:
$17,644 - $30,104
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Large Cars)
$47,151
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
$19,658 - $84,966
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
63
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
71,231
# Good or Great Deals:
23
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:
717
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
78,717
# Good or Great Deals:
314
Buick LaCrosse Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.4 / 10
Reliability:
7.8 / 10
Retained Value:
7.3 / 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 Buick LaCrosse
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6.3
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Large Cars)
6.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
2.7 - 9.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
2.1%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 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:
2.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Large Cars)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Large Cars)
0.5 - 22.6
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
Buick LaCrosse Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 24Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
4 out of / 24Ranking
7 out of / 24Ranking
15 out of / 24Ranking
22 out of / 24Kia 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
Buick LaCrosse Trim Levels
Avenir, Base, Essence, Preferred, Premium, Sport Touring
Kia Optima Trim Levels
EX, LX, S, SX Turbo
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
6 years / 70000 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:
194 hp @ 6300 rpm
Torque:
187 foot-lbs @ 4400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.056 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:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 35 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
395 / 553 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
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench 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
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
42 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.6 inches
Cargo Space:
14.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
102.0 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:
3490 lbs
Width:
73.5 inches
Height:
57.5 inches
Length:
197.5 inches
Wheelbase:
114.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
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 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P235/50R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
205/65R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Onyx
White
Summit White
Blue
Not available
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Ebony Black
White
Snow White Pearl
Blue
Horizon Blue
Gray
Gravity Gray / Platinum Graphite
Red
Sangria
Silver
Sparkling Silver
Interior Colors
Beige
Light Neutral w/ Dark Brown Accents
Black
Not available
Brown
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Black
Brown
Brown