Kia Optima vs. Dodge Charger
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Optima and Dodge Charger 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 and the Dodge Charger.
In comparing the Kia Optima's and the Dodge Charger's specifications and ratings, the Kia Optima has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and interior volume. The Dodge Charger has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Kia Optima's and the Dodge Charger's specifications and ratings, the Dodge Charger is a better car than the Kia Optima.
Pricing: A used 2020 Kia Optima ranges from $13,949 to $22,944 while a used 2020 Dodge Charger is priced between $18,765 to $51,998.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Kia Optima loses 43.1 percent of its value and the Dodge Charger loses 39.1 percent of its value. This means the Dodge Charger retains 4 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 Kia Optima is 8.6 out of 10 while the Dodge Charger's quality rating is 8.7 out of 10. This results in the Kia Optima being ranked 7 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars and the Dodge Charger being ranked 2 out of 8 Best Large Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Kia Optima is 7.8 out of 10. For the Dodge Charger the reliability rating is 8.1 out of 10. This gives the Dodge Charger a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Kia Optima.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Kia Optima’s base engine makes 185 horsepower, and the Dodge Charger base engine makes 292 horsepower. The Optima is rated to deliver an average of 27 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 592 miles. The Charger is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 555 miles. This gives the Kia Optima the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Dodge Charger. Both models use 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 leg room and rear head room. The Dodge Charger, a large car, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Kia Optima and the Dodge Charger have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
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
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$29,995
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Large Cars)
$37,104
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Large Cars)
$29,995 - $59,900
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:
577
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
77,702
# Good or Great Deals:
197
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$30,534
Price Range:
$18,765 - $51,998
Category Avg Price:
(Large Cars)
$26,935
Category Avg Price Range:
(Large Cars)
$21,153 - $34,168
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
489
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
67,828
# Good or Great Deals:
129
Kia Optima Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
7.8 / 10
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Dodge Charger Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.7 / 10
Reliability:
8.1 / 10
Retained Value:
8.1 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
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%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Dodge Charger
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
5.8
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Large Cars)
6.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Large Cars)
5.5 - 11
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
9%
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
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Large Cars)
2.7
Category Range for Recalls:
(Large Cars)
1.1 - 4.3
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 / 13Dodge Charger Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 8Ranking
2 out of / 8Ranking
2 out of / 8Ranking
2 out of / 8Ranking
2 out of / 8Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
5 out of / 8Ranking
5 out of / 8Ranking
6 out of / 8Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Kia Optima Trim Levels
EX, EX Premium, LX, S, Special Edition, SX Turbo
Dodge Charger Trim Levels
GT, Police, R/T, Scat Pack, SRT Hellcat, SXT
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:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 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:
4 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:
292 hp @ 6350 rpm
Torque:
260 foot-lbs @ 4800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.074 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:
3.6 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
19 / 30 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
352 / 555 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
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
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
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
Available
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:
Available
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 Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
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:
38.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
40.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.9 inches
Cargo Space:
16.5 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
104.7 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:
3964 lbs
Width:
82.7 inches
Height:
57.8 inches
Length:
198.4 inches
Wheelbase:
120 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.2 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:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P215/65R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Ebony Black
Blue
Horizon Blue
Gray
Gravity Gray
Red
Sangria
Silver
Sparkling Silver
White
Snow White Pearl
Green
Not available
Orange
Not available
Purple
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Pitch Black Clear Coat
Blue
Frostbite / Indigo Blue
Gray
Granite Crystal Metallic Clear Coat / Smoke Show / Triple Nickel Clear Coat
Red
Octane Red Pearl Coat / TorRed Clear Coat
Silver
Not available
White
White Knuckle Clear Coat
Green
F8 Green
Orange
Go Mango / Sinamon Stick
Purple
Hellraisin
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Brown
Brown
Beige
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Brown
Not available
Beige
Black/Caramel
