Kia Optima vs. Toyota Prius
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Optima and Toyota Prius 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 Toyota Prius.
When comparing the Kia Optima's and the Toyota Prius'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 base engine power. The Toyota Prius has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the Kia Optima's and the Toyota Prius's specifications and ratings, the Toyota Prius 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 Toyota Prius is priced between $17,989 to $28,991.
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 Toyota Prius loses 30.7 percent of its value. This means the Toyota Prius retains 12.5 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 Toyota Prius' quality rating is 9.2 out of 10. This results in the Kia Optima being ranked 7 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars and the Toyota Prius being ranked 1 out of 25 Best Hybrid Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Kia Optima is 7.8 out of 10. For the Toyota Prius the reliability rating is 8.9 out of 10. This gives the Toyota Prius an 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 Toyota Prius base engine makes 121 horsepower. The Optima is rated to deliver an average of 27 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 592 miles. The Prius is rated to deliver an average of 56 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 599 miles. This gives the Toyota Prius the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Kia Optima. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Toyota Prius, a hybrid compact car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more cargo space. The Kia Optima, a midsize car, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Kia Optima and the Toyota Prius 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:
$24,325
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
$24,011
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
$22,930 - $26,500
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:
556
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
77,894
# Good or Great Deals:
181
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$23,587
Price Range:
$17,989 - $28,991
Category Avg Price:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
$21,152
Category Avg Price Range:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
$18,499 - $23,587
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
99
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
64,224
# Good or Great Deals:
31
Kia Optima Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
7.8 / 10
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Toyota Prius Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
9.2 / 10
Reliability:
8.9 / 10
Retained Value:
8.6 / 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 Toyota Prius
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
8.3
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
8.9
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
8.3 - 9.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
33.1%
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
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
1.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)
1.3 - 17.6
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 / 13Toyota Prius Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 25Ranking
1 out of / 25Ranking
1 out of / 25Ranking
1 out of / 25Ranking
1 out of / 10Ranking
1 out of / 10Ranking
1 out of / 10Ranking
1 out of / 10Ranking
1 out of / 9Ranking
1 out of / 9Ranking
1 out of / 9Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
2 out of / 25Ranking
2 out of / 9Ranking
2 out of / 9Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 25Ranking
3 out of / 10Ranking
3 out of / 4Ranking
5 out of / 10Ranking
5 out of / 9Ranking
5 out of / 9Ranking
7 out of / 10Ranking
7 out of / 10Ranking
7 out of / 9Ranking
8 out of / 10Ranking
11 out of / 25Ranking
12 out of / 25Ranking
17 out of / 25Ranking
22 out of / 25Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Hybrid
Kia Optima Trim Levels
EX, EX Premium, LX, S, Special Edition, SX Turbo
Toyota Prius Trim Levels
L Eco, LE, LE AWD-e, Limited, XLE, XLE AWD-e
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
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:
4 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:
4 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:
121 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
Not yet available
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.040 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:
1.8 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
58 / 53 / 56
Range (city/hwy):
655 / 599 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:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Standard
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:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
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:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
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:
39.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
33.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53 inches
Cargo Space:
27.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
120.5 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:
3010 lbs
Width:
69.3 inches
Height:
57.9 inches
Length:
180 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.1 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:
15.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P195/65R15
Exterior Colors
Black
Ebony Black
Blue
Horizon Blue
Gray
Gravity Gray
Red
Sangria
Silver
Sparkling Silver
White
Snow White Pearl
Green
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Midnight Black Metallic
Blue
Electric Storm Blue
Gray
Magnetic Gray Metallic
Red
Supersonic Red
Silver
Classic Silver Metallic
White
Blizzard Pearl / Super White
Green
Sea Glass Pearl
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Brown
Brown
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Brown
Not available
Gray
Moonstone
