Used 2019 Kia Optima for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2019 Kia Optima cost?

Prices have softened 7.89% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,409 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare.

Is the 2019 Kia Optima a good car?

Yes — the 2019 Kia Optima earns a 4.77/5 user rating and a 9/10 expert rating. The model scores 10/10 across Form and function and Cost effectiveness.

Owners consistently praise its great value, stylish design, numerous features, smooth ride, and safety options. That lines up well with the Optima’s roomy interior and broad everyday appeal, especially if you want a midsize sedan that feels well equipped without giving up practicality. Even with some notes about slower acceleration, the overall package comes across as polished and well rounded. There are 31.1% good or great deals in the market, which suggests you can still find attractive pricing.

Is the 2019 Kia Optima reliable?

Owners rate it 4.77/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a car that feels dependable and trouble-free enough to inspire confidence over time, with repeated praise for value, features, and the smooth way it goes about daily driving. The expert review also emphasizes strong value and a well-rounded ownership experience, which supports the idea that this is a car you can count on for regular use. Kia’s warranty reputation and connected-service offerings add to the ownership appeal.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the specific car has been maintained well and hasn’t been worn down by heavy use, since condition will matter more than the model’s overall reputation.

What should I look for when buying a used 2019 Kia Optima?

At 54.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has had bodywork or shows uneven panel gaps, tire wear, or interior wear that doesn’t match the mileage. Focus on how the car drives, how the safety systems behave, and whether the cabin electronics and comfort features work as expected. A clean-looking listing is not enough on its own when more than half of the market has some accident history.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX already includes a strong safety and convenience set, while higher trims add more luxury and tech touches. The SX Turbo stands out with a blacked-out exterior look, 18-inch wheels, red brake calipers, upgraded interior materials, and a more upscale cabin feel. If you want the best blend of value and equipment, the mid-to-upper trims are the ones to compare most closely.
• Powertrain: The standard 2.4-liter 4-cylinder makes 185 horsepower, while the EX Turbo uses a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder with 178 hp and strong usable torque. The SX Turbo uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 245 hp and 260 pound-feet of torque, and the car is tuned for smooth, linear acceleration rather than hard-edged punch.
• Safety package: Every Optima includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking-assist sensors, and a driver-monitoring system. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability is an upgrade, and a surround-view camera system is also available.
• Infotainment: Standard equipment includes an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Siri Eyes Free, voice recognition, a USB port, and a reversing camera. Higher trims add satellite radio, UVO eServices, remote vehicle functions, navigation, HD Radio, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The hybrid returns 41 mpg in combined driving, the plug-in hybrid offers up to 28 miles of electric-only range, and the SX Turbo averaged 23.5 mpg in testing against an EPA estimate of 24 mpg in combined driving.

Which 2019 Kia Optima trim should I buy?

The 2019 Kia Optima is offered in 4 trim levels: LX, S, EX Turbo, SX Turbo.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the entry point, but it already gives you the core safety tech and the standard 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the Optima without giving up the important features.
• S: This trim adds satellite radio and UVO eServices, so it’s a better fit if you want a little more convenience and connected functionality without jumping too far up the price ladder.
• EX Turbo: This is the best-value choice for many shoppers because it combines the fuel-efficient turbocharged engine with the added tech and connected features. It’s the trim to target if you want a strong balance of efficiency, equipment, and everyday usability.
• SX Turbo: This is the most powerful and most upscale gas trim, with the 245-hp turbo engine, sport-tuned suspension, upgraded steering feel, navigation, HD Radio, and Harman Kardon audio. Choose it if you want the most premium driving and feature experience.

Every Optima includes the core driver-assistance suite, while adaptive cruise control and the surround-view camera remain optional upgrades.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2019 Kia Optima?

This is a moderate market, so you can shop selectively without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 31.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,409 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.89% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 54.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,893, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2019 Kia Optima's resale value?

The current average of $11,893 sits slightly below last year's $12,911.

That price movement suggests the Optima has already absorbed some of its recent depreciation, which can help future sellers if the market stays steady. If you buy at a favorable price and keep the car in strong condition, you may be better positioned when it’s time to sell. The model’s broad appeal, value reputation, and strong feature content should help keep buyer interest healthy.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.77/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2019 Kia Optima safe?

The 2019 Kia Optima earns top ratings across the board from IIHS, except for child safety seat LATCH anchor accessibility, which is rated Acceptable rather than Good. It also earns five-star ratings in every NHTSA test assessment except front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision, where it earns a four-star rating.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Every Optima includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking-assist sensors, and a driver-monitoring system. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability is available, and the surround-view camera system is another upgrade. The safety tech is also described as refined and easy to live with, which makes it more likely you’ll keep it turned on.

Should I buy a 2019 Kia Optima or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2019 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2019 if:

• 31.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 54.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.89% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.77/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2019 stands out for its broad safety tech, roomy cabin, and strong value in a segment where many cars compete on similar terms.

The bottom line: If you want the strongest mix of value, safety equipment, and everyday usability, the 2019 is an easy year to target. If you’re especially price-sensitive, you can use the softened market and sizable inventory to shop carefully and wait for a clean, well-priced example rather than settling for the first one you see.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.