If you're looking to purchase a midsize sedan, you have plenty of good options. Do you want a practical city car, or would you prefer a sleek, well-equipped cruiser with a dash of performance flair to liven up the commute? With the 2020 Kia Optima, you'll get a midsize sedan that wears many hats. Underneath that stylish exterior is a vehicle that provides plenty of tech features and comfort as standard, along with an available sporty edge. Comfort or style? With the 2020 Kia Optima, you can have both.
2020 Kia Optima
Research, photos, specs, and expertise
Kia Optima highlights
Customer reviews
5 out of 5
RepairPal reliability rating†
4.5 out of 5
Mileage (EPA estimate)
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
A sleek, well-equipped, midsize sedan
All Kia Optima years
New this year
- The Optima is available in a variety of new trims, including the EX Premium and SE.
- Optima trims have been upgraded with Panoramic Sunroof as standard equipment this year.
- The LX trim now comes with Smart Key as standard equipment.
- The S trim now comes with Navigation System as standard equipment.
- The EX trim now comes with Navigation System as standard equipment.
- The SX trim now comes with Rear Spoiler as standard equipment.
Explore Kia Optima details
S 2WD 4D Sedan
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Bluetooth Technology
- Cruise Control
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leatherette & Cloth
- Overhead Airbags
- Parking Sensors
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear Spoiler
- Rear View Camera
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Traction Control
- UnMapped
- Unsure Research
Optional Features
†- Panoramic Sunroof
- UnMapped
Drive type
2WD
Engine size
2.4L
Horsepower
185
Torque (ft-lbs)
178
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
18.5
Wheelbase
110.4"
Overall length
191.1"
Width
73.2"
Height
57.7"
Leg room
F 45.5"/R 35.6"
Head room
F 39.8"/R 37.8"
Front tires
P235/45VR18
Rear tires
P235/45VR18
Seating capacity
5
Transmission
Automatic
5 reasons to buy the 2020 Kia Optima
1. Good selection of engines
Three is a magic number, and it's also the number of engine options Kia offers on the 2020 Optima. Each one fulfills a purpose relative to what you might want from a midsize sedan. The base 2.4L four-cylinder engine is a good all-rounder for everyday driving, while the two turbocharged powerplants offer something a little different. Want maximum efficiency? Go for the 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which can produce an EPA-estimated 31 mpg combined and 37 mpg highway. Want to lean a little more toward performance? There's the SX trim's 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which produces nearly 250 horsepower, while still managing an EPA-estimated 30 mpg on the highway—ideal for long-distance cruising. Whatever you require from a midsize sedan, one of the Optima's three powerplants can provide what you're looking for.
2. Lots of equipment as standard
The 2020 Kia Optima has four distinct trim levels, with plenty of tech as standard. Features available on the base 2020 Kia Optima include automatic headlights and high-beam control, an eight-inch touchscreen and infotainment system—with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. There's also a suite of driver convenience features, including lane-keeping assistance, rear parking sensors, and forward-collision warning. This helps make the 2020 Kia Optima an appealing choice at every trim level.
3. Plenty of driver convenience features
The 2020 Kia Optima boasts a great selection of driver convenience tech right at your fingertips, from the base LX model on up. On S models, you'll also get fog lights, keyless entry and ignition, and a hands-free unlocking trunk. On the EX, you'll get adaptive cruise control, dual-zone climate control, and the optional Premium package, which includes a navigation system and a heated steering wheel. And on the SX, you'll enjoy LED headlights and fog lights with automatic high-beam control, and an enhanced driver information display. Whether for business or pleasure, the 2020 Kia Optima makes every journey as effortless as possible.
4. Practical interior
Not only does the 2020 Kia Optima have plenty of space for passengers, but there are also plenty of storage options for small items and additional cargo. The standard body can seat up to five people, with a total of 104.8 cubic feet of passenger volume. And, with 15.9 cubic feet of cargo volume in the trunk, you'll have more than enough room for a week's supply of groceries. Not only that, but the rear seats fold down in a 60/40 split-folding configuration for extra luggage space, and a hands-free unlocking trunk is available on S, EX, and SX trims. Other touches—such as two cupholders for rear-seat passengers, as well as front- and rear-door bottle holders and overhead sunglass holders—make the 2020 Kia Optima a pleasant and convenient place to relax and stow your stuff.
5. Choice of eight exterior colors
Right out of the gate, the 2020 Kia Optima is a very stylish car. It's a midsize sedan with swooping lines and a strong presence, which make it stand out from the crowd. To enhance that style, you have a selection of eight exterior colors from which to choose. Subtle standards like black, white, and gray/silver are covered, as well as bolder options such as Sangria, Horizon Blue, and Passion Red. All help maximize the curb appeal of this sleek sedan, and make the 2020 Kia Optima a car that will turn heads.
Similar vehicles
If you're interested in the 2020 Kia Optima, you should also check out these similar vehicles from previous model years.
Hyundai Sonata
With comfortable, supportive seats and a user-friendly infotainment system, the 2019 Hyundai Sonata is a smart choice in the sedan market. This year's model comes with the choice of three powertrains: the 185-horsepower base engine, a turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 178 horsepower, and a 245-horsepower turbo four-cylinder engine. A sophisticated ride, the Sonata is an excellent commuter car. Hyundai includes standard an array of technology features on the 2019 Sonata, like blind-spot detection, lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert; all of these give you more confidence on the road. With a seven-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, a USB port, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay included in the 2019 base model, the Sonata is a smart choice for sedan drivers.
The Kia Stinger is a small luxury sedan that was introduced in 2018. It has seating for five people and 23.3 cu-ft of cargo space across all model years. The Stinger comes standard with a 255-hp turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine until 2022, when the standard engine was upgraded to a 300-hp 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder. Twin-turbo V6 engine options are also available. Here's what you'll find on the Kia Stinger in model years 2018–2022:
Genuine leather seats and heated from seats
Standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity
Available all-wheel drive
The fourth-generation Kia Sportage (2017-2021) crossover checks all your boxes with its great mix of standard features and options. The 2017-2021 Sportage comes with a standard 181-horsepower 2.4L four-cylinder engine, while the trim-topping SX Turbo model has a turbocharged 2.0L making an impressive 240 hp.
Standard features on 2017-2021 Kia Sportage models include:
Five-inch touchscreen (eight inches for 2020+)
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration (2020+)
Rear climate vents
Ratings & reliability
RepairPal reliability rating†
Excellent
RepairPal gave the Kia Optima an overall reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Kia Optima 7th out of 31 among Midsize Cars.
- Cost RepairPal reports that the average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Kia Optima is $347, compared to an average of $405 for Midsize Cars and $556 for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
- Frequency According to RepairPal, Kia Optima owners bring their vehicles into a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.8 times per year, compared to an average of 0.8 times for Midsize Cars and 1.4 times for all the vehicle models RepairPal considered in its dataset.
- Severity RepairPal reported that the probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 7% for the Kia Optima, compared to an average of 9% for Midsize Cars and 12% for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
2020 Kia Optima trims
LX:
Includes heated mirrors, eight-inch touchscreen, rear parking sensors, lane-keeping assistance, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more.
S:
Adds fog lights, keyless entry and ignition, power driver seat, hands-free unlocking trunk, an optional panoramic sunroof, and more.
EX:
Adds adaptive cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, leather upholstery, the optional Premium package, and more.
SX:
Unlocks LED headlights and fog lights, sports suspension, wheel-mounted shifter paddles, a rear spoiler, red brake calipers, and more.
More about 2020 Kia Optima
Color options
Exterior colors:
Ebony Black
Horizon Blue
Passion Red
Platinum Graphite
Sangria
Snow White Pearl
Sparkling Silver
Titanium Silver
Interior details
104.8 cubic feet of passenger volume
Seats up to five passengers
15.9 cubic feet of cargo volume
60/40 split-folding rear seats for extra storage
Sunglass holders and front/rear water bottle holders in doors
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