Used 2020 Kia Optima for sale 

The Kia Optima for the year 2020 receives a new trim in its lineup - “S”. The S trims slots between the LX and the EX trims and adds certain features to the LX trim, in the same powertrain.

We recommend:

We recommend you to go for the SX trim since it’s the most powerful and the smoothest trim in the lineup. The SX trim gets a 2.0L Turbo 4 cylinder engine, which is good for 245 hp and 260 lb.-ft. Of torque. Though this recommendation will drain out some extra bucks from your pocket, this is the best you can get in a Kia Optima. 

Kia gives you three powertrain choices in the Optima to choose from. Standard is a 2.4 L non-turbocharged 4-cylinder engine which is good for 185 hp @ 6000 rpm, and 178 lb.-ft. Of torque which kicks in at 4000 rpm. Next up the ladder is a 1.6L 4 cylinder turbo engine which is standard on the EX and the EX Premium trims. This engine is much more swift and sleek than the base 2.4L non-turbo, generating 178 hp @ 5500 rpm, and 195 lb.-ft. Of torque, kicking in as early as 1500 rpm. The final and range-topping engine iteration for the Kia Optima is a 2.0L 4 cylinder turbocharged engine. This engine is available only on the SX trim and accounts for a massive 245 hp and 260 lb.-ft. Of torque. 

All 3 engine variations in the Kia Optima lineup are paired with 3 different types of transmission configurations. The 2.4L non-turbo engine, on offer in the Kia Optima S, houses a 6-speed shiftable automatic, delivering the power to the front wheels. The Kia Optima EX and EX-L, which come fitted with the 1.6L turbo 4 cylinder employ a 7-speed automated transmission to fulfill its transmission duties. Finally, the 2.0L turbo 4 cylinder, which is standard on the Kia Optima SX is mated to a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission. 

The Kia Optima in its base engine configuration seems the least muscular contender of this lot. The Toyota Camry takes home the “most powerful” title with 203 ponies tucked underneath its hood. The Honda Accord, making a close chase ranks second with 192 horses, followed up by the Mazda 3 and finally the Kia Optima. 

How fast is the Kia Optima?

The Kia Optima with its base non-turbo engine requires around 8.3 seconds to reach the 60 MPH mark from a standstill. However, go for the upgraded engine choices and the tables undergo a complete flip. The Kia Optima SX, which houses the 2.0L 4 cylinder turbocharged engine can catapult the ride from 0-60 in just 6.8 seconds, which just happens to be the least 0-60 time in this segment. 

The Kia Optima may feel underpowered in its base avatar, but upgrade to the higher engines and the ride’s performance is the last thing that’s ever going to disappoint you. The upgraded 2.0L turbo engine can make the Optima cover a quarter-mile distance in just 15.2 seconds.

What about the braking performance of the Kia Optima?

The entire braking arrangement on the Kia Optima inspires confidence with its firm feel, and why shall it not? The Kia Optima hosts the largest brake rotors towards both of its ends in the entire segment.

The ride though is one of the heaviest sets of wheels in this segment, yet it can depreciate from a speed of 60 to an absolute standstill in just 124 feet, which happens to be a great figure for a car of this dimension.

The Kia Optima’s curb weight exceeds that of its competitors by several pounds, and yet the ride takes just 2 feet more to come to a halt from 60 mph. All the other contenders require a distance of 122 ft. to come to a standstill, whereas the Kia Optima takes just 124 ft. which happens to be an impressive figure.

What about its driving dynamics?

 With several engine options on offer, the driving performance of the Kia Optima is a diverse topic to discuss. 

Starting with the base 2.4L I4 engine, which is good for 185 hp and 177 lb.-ft. Of torque, the ride feels just right for around-the-town driving. The engine is quiet and smooth and the 6-speed automatic transmission delivers the power smoothly. However, there will be a point when you’ll be hitting the throttle as hard as you can, but your optima won’t be responding, because of it’s limited power. 

The 1.5L turbo engine, which is on offer in the Kia Optima EX and the Kia Optima EX-Premium cuts down on the hp part but takes the torque figures up a notch, giving the car a potent passing power. However, the 7-speed automated manual transmission on these models is an issue, as the setup feels too desperate to go into the next gear. 

Finally, the 2.0L 4 cylinder turbo engine which you can get on the Kia Optima SX, increases the power figures significantly to 245 hp and 260 b.-ft. Of torque. The engine setup works in great sync with the 6-speed automatic transmission and makes way for a powerful and smooth driving experience. 

Fuel efficiency is definitely not one of the Kia Optima’s claim to fame points. The ride lags behind all the other rivals when it comes to gas mileage. The Optima can go across 25 city miles on a single gallon. Take the ride for some expressway spins, and it can cover 35 miles for each gallon, giving out a combined mpg figure of 29, which is the least in this segment. 

Eyeing their offering’s weak tip, Kia makes an attempt to compensate for this shortcoming by offering a cavernous fuel tank in the Optima. The ride has the deepest fuel tank amongst all the other vehicles of this segment. The presence of a humongous fuel tank enhances the Optima’s city and highway range, despite being the least fuel-friendly ride of this segment. 

The interiors of the Kia Optima can be perfectly described in a mere 3 words - functional, intuitive, and easy-going. The layout of the Kia Optima’s cabin is as sensible as it can get, and yet feels premium. All the controls are easy to use, perfectly placed, and does not deviate the driver’s concentration. The quality of the material used inside is great for a ride of this price range. 

The front seats offer more than ample space to the driver and the passenger for a laid-back leisurely ride. The front seats of the Kia Optima offer great support and versatility, with 10-way power adjustments and 4-way lumbar. 

Well before we speak anything of the Kia Optima’s rear seats, may you please take off your hats? The rear seats of the Optima offer decent leg and shoulder room, but speak of the headroom and disappointment crawls in. The swooping roofline, which is a vital design element of the ride, grates the headroom for the same. Getting in and out of the car becomes a task for tall occupants and they may just experience some serious neck-pain after a long journey, cause you need to duck to fit in. duh!

Does it come loaded with tech inside?

Kia Optima’s every trim brings into play an 8.0-inch touchscreen as the focal attention-piece of the dashboard, that completes all the infotainment needs of the ride with the utmost ease. Though the interface does not feel the most up to date, yet it features crisp graphics and responds rapidly to your touch. The upgraded Harman Kardon speaker arrangement makes its presence felt as you turn up the volume knob. Oh-oh! Phone battery issues getting in your way of an amplified ride? Fret not, the Kia Optima handles it for you with an abundance of charging solutions.

Some other prominent features of the Kia Optima’s infotainment panel are: 

• Android Auto 
• Apple CarPlay
• AM/FM Radio
• Auxiliary Input
• USB Connection Support
• MP3 Playback
• 6-speakers

What about utility?

The Kia Optima fits perfectly in the “family sedan” mold accrediting to its imposing performance and impressive interior space. Well, there’s more to the story than just interior space. The Kia Optima offers 15.9 cubic feet of storage space which is ample to carry your family’s luggage for an extended weekend getaway. 

Apart from the trunk the Optima also offers a lot of cubby storage spaces inside the cabin, to store your belongings into. The center armrest of the ride, for instance, is deeper than that of the other rivals, offering great storage space to stuff your small items. 

The Kia Optima boot space of 15.9 cubic feet is one of the best in the segment, just marginally behind than the Accord’s colossal 16.7 cubic feet. Toyota Camry ranks third, followed by the Mazda 3. Apart from this space generosity, the Optima also offers automatic trunk release as a standard feature, just stand behind the bumper for a few moments and see the trunk unlatch itself on its own. 

Creature comforts on offer in the Kia Optima

Some other prominent comfort features onboard the Kia Optima are:

• Audio And Cruise Controls On Steering Wheel
• Overhead Console With Storage
• Front Seatback Storage
• Cruise Control
• Turn Signal In Mirrors
• Dual Illuminating Vanity Mirrors
• Front And Rear Cupholders
• Rear Parking Sensors
• Electric Power Steering
• Tilt And Telescopic Steering Wheel
• Leather Steering Wheel
• Keyless Ignition
• Climate Control
• Electrochromatic Inside Rearview Mirror
• Adaptive Cruise Control

The Kia Optima carries a typical fastback-style profile, which sure looks handsome and appealing. The Stinger inspired front fascia imbibes a rebellious vibe to this mid-size, whereas the dipping roofline lends the Optima a coupe-like aggressive orgone. 

The Kia Optima S and the Kia Optima SX also receive a blacked-out exterior trim and expanded wheels, which help the ride carry home the sporty character. The Kia optima’s looks represent a somewhat flashy family sedan, which always desired to become a sporty coupe, but somehow settled for a safer job.

The Kia Optima is one of the heaviest, tallest, and widest rides in this segment. The Optima strikes a perfect apex of dimensions to stay a comfortable family sedan, without compromising on the sportiness that the brand is known to offer in the styling of its products.

What are those eye-catching features?

The Kia Optima is a well-proportioned set of wheels that can make heads turn. Though, not like a Kia Stinger, but still it does look great on road. Some of the most noteworthy features of its exterior are: 

• Chrome rear window moldings
• Chrome rear bumper insert
• Turn signal indicator mirrors
• Chrome door handles
• Body-colored front and rear bumpers
• Chrome tip exhaust
• Heated door mirrors 

The 2019 Kia Optima earned a 5-star rating from the NHTSA. Though the test ratings are not yet available for the 2020 Kia Optima, however, the ride gets a long-list of standard safety features for this year. Regardless of the trim, every Optima now includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitors, and active lane control along with a suite of airbags and stability control. Other safety features include:

• 4-Wheel ABS
• Emergency Braking Preparation
• Daytime Running Lights
• Post-Collision Safety System
• Stability Control
• Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation
• Rear Height Adjustable Headrests
• Remote Anti-Theft Alarm System
• Dusk Sensing Headlamps
• Tire Pressure Monitoring
• Traction Control
• Ventilated Front Disc / Solid Rear Disc Brakes
• Pre-Collision Safety System
• Engine Immobilizer

Kia Optima vs. Honda Accord

The Honda Accord is a name that does not really need an introduction. This name has been in the sedan business for the longest of while now and is still going strong. Priced at $23,870, the Accord comes fitted with a 1.5L I4 engine, which can fabricate a punchy 192 hp along with 138 lb.-ft. Of torque. The ride can sprint from 0-60 in 7.6 seconds, which makes it one of the fastest cars of this comparison. The Accord’s performance aura does not overshadow its utilitarian aspect though. With a combined fuel economy of 33 and the biggest boot in this segment, the Honda Accord is an acclaimed veteran of this segment, which still makes other cars bow-down to its legacy. 

Kia Optima vs. Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry is another heavyweight of this sedan segment that has been giving all its competitors a run for their money for quite a while now. The Camry is the most pricey offering of this segment, with prices starting from $24,295. The Toyota Camry’s engine is a 2.5L I4, which generates the greatest in class power of 203 hp and 186 lb.-ft. Of torque. These power figures help make the Camry the fastest car with a 0-60 time of just 7.5 seconds. However, these power figures do not hamper the ride’s relationship with your pocket as the Toyota Camry is also the most fuel-efficient ride of the section with a combined MPG of 34. 

Priced at a humble $23,190, the Kia Optima does everything right to hit upon the buyers at the sweetest spot- affordability and practicality. The Kia Optima is an offering of this segment that offers great interior and cargo space, along with a wide array of features, which make it an ideal family sedan. The power and performance though depend upon your selection of trim, but overall the Kia Optima is a great set of wheels and is an absolute worth of your bucks.