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Used 2017 Kia Optima Sedan Trims Comparison

Trim level differences

Although Kia does not offer much in the way of standalone options, there are a dizzying number of Optima permutations available to buyers. The base LX is fairly light on features, but it also doesn't cost much. The LX 1.6T adds a bit more, but its unique engine-transmission combo is tough to live with. The EX sticks with the LX powertrain and comes with a substantial number of luxury features for a moderate uptick in price. The SX includes a powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter engine among its upgrades, but if you want your Optima to feel like a luxury car, the top-trim SXL does the trick.

Under the hood of the front-wheel-drive Optima in its base LX form is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (185 horsepower, 178 pound-feet) matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. Standard features include 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, remote locking and unlocking, a rearview camera, cruise control, a driver information display, selectable driving modes, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, height-adjustable front seats (with two-way lumbar adjustment for the driver), a 60/40-split rear seat, Bluetooth, a 5-inch central display, and a six-speaker audio system with a CD player, satellite radio and a USB port.

Three packages are available for the Optima LX. The Driver Convenience package adds heated and power-folding mirrors, laminated (i.e. quieter) front window glass, an eight-way power-adjustable driver seat (with four-way lumbar adjustment) and driver-seat memory settings. The Convenience Plus package requires the Driver Convenience package and adds rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and a 7-inch touchscreen display with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Kia's Uvo infotainment system. As an alternative, you can also just get the Convenience package, which costs slightly less and includes everything above minus the touchscreen, but we think getting the touchscreen is a good idea.

Stepping up to the LX 1.6T adds a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (178 hp, 195 lb-ft of torque) paired to a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission. This powertrain is unique to the LX 1.6T. Additional features include a hands-free trunk, illuminated door handles, keyless entry and ignition, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and the laminated windows and mirrors from the Convenience package.

Two packages are available for the LX 1.6T. The Value package adds upgraded headlights, LED daytime running lights, the power driver seat, driver-seat memory settings, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and the 7-inch touchscreen. The Technology package includes the blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and rear parking sensors plus LED taillights, dual-zone automatic climate control, two charge-only rear USB ports, an 8-inch touchscreen and navigation.

The EX sticks with the powertrain from the LX and adds 17-inch wheels, LED taillights, dual-zone automatic climate control, the additional USB ports, leather upholstery and the contents of the Value package.

You probably won't be surprised to hear that there are two packages for the EX. The Premium package includes all of the upgrades in the Technology package, plus a panoramic sunroof, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a power-adjustable passenger seat (with two-way lumbar), ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. Opt for the Premium Plus package and you'll get those and forward collision warning with emergency braking, lane departure warning, an electronic parking brake, rear window sunshades and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

For a sportier Optima, Kia offers the SX. It's powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (245 hp, 260 lb-ft of torque). It is equipped similarly to the EX, with upgrades that include 18-inch wheels, adaptive LED headlights, a rear spoiler, dual exhaust tips, a sport-tuned suspension, a flat-bottom steering wheel with wheel-mounted shift paddles, a larger driver information display, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, rear window sunshades and the 8-inch screen with navigation.

If you want the performance of the SX but don't necessarily need the extra luxury features, you can order it with the new Sport Value package. It's priced lower, but Kia deletes the LED headlights, hands-free trunk, keyless entry and ignition, and an auto-dimming mirror. Additionally, the 7-inch touchscreen is used instead of the 8-inch system. On the other hand, if you'd like more features you can add the Launch Edition package. It adds the contents of the Premium package and the 10-speaker audio system. Then there's the Technology package for the SX that includes everything else from the Premium Plus package, alongside automatic high-beam control and adaptive cruise control.

At the top of the Optima lineup is the SX Limited. It includes everything listed above and a 360-degree parking camera, wireless smartphone charging and upgraded leather upholstery.

Which Optima trim does Edmunds recommend?

Although the Optima comes in many variations, three truly stand out. The LX with the Convenience Plus package is inexpensive and gets you pretty much everything you want in a modern sedan such as blind-spot monitoring and an intuitive touchscreen. The middle-ground EX is also desirable. It comes with leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control and heated front seats but is still reasonably priced. But if you find those Optimas too bland, go with the SX with Sport Value package. It is only marginally more expensive than the EX and includes most of its features plus a powerful turbocharged engine.

Compare trims side-by-side

Comparing average pricing near
Tempe, AZ
Vehicle
Optima LX
Optima LX Turbo
Optima EX
Optima SX Turbo
Optima SXL Turbo
Vehicle
LX
2.4L 4cyl 6A
See all Optima LX for sale
12 for sale near you
LX Turbo
1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM
See all Optima LX Turbo for sale
SX Turbo
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A
See all Optima SX Turbo for sale
SXL Turbo
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A
See all Optima SXL Turbo for sale
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Section Title

Features

Features

Features

Features

Features

Bluetooth
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Navigation
Not Available
optional
optional
standard
standard
Satellite radio
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Keyless Ignition
Not Available
standard
standard
standard
standard
Cruise control
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Adaptive cruise control
Not Available
Not Available
optional
optional
standard
Parking assistance
optional
optional
optional
optional
standard
Upholstery
cloth
cloth
leather
leather
premium leather
Heated seats
Not Available
optional
standard
standard
standard
Cooled/Ventilated seats
Not Available
Not Available
optional
optional
standard
Folding rear seats
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Sunroof
Not Available
Not Available
optional
optional
standard
Section Title

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Drivetrain
front wheel drive
front wheel drive
front wheel drive
front wheel drive
front wheel drive
Engine power
185 hp @ 6,000 rpm
178 hp @ 5,500 rpm
185 hp @ 6,000 rpm
245 hp @ 6,000 rpm
245 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Engine torque
178 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
195 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm
178 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
260 lb-ft @ 1,350 rpm
260 lb-ft @ 1,350 rpm
Engine displacement
2.4 l
1.6 l
2.4 l
2.0 l
2.0 l
Engine configuration
inline 4
inline 4
inline 4
inline 4
inline 4
Transmission
6-speed shiftable automatic
7-speed automated manual
6-speed shiftable automatic
6-speed shiftable automatic
6-speed shiftable automatic
Tire size
205/65R16
205/65R16
215/55R17
235/45R18
235/45R18
Wheel size
16 X 6.5-in
16 X 6.5-in
17 X 7.0-in
18 X 7.5-in
18 X 7.5-in
Wheel type
alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
alloy wheels
polished alloy wheels
chrome alloy wheels
Run flat tires
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Section Title

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

City/Hwy/Combined MPG
24 / 34 / 28 MPG
28 / 37 / 31 MPG
24 / 34 / 28 MPG
22 / 31 / 25 MPG
22 / 31 / 25 MPG
City/Hwy/Combined MPGe
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Fuel Capacity
18.5 gal.
18.5 gal.
18.5 gal.
18.5 gal.
18.5 gal.
Driving Range (city/hwy)
444 / 629 miles
518 / 685 miles
444 / 629 miles
407 / 574 miles
407 / 574 miles
Fuel Type
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
Section Title

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Turning circle
35.8 ft.
35.8 ft.
35.8 ft.
35.8 ft.
35.8 ft.
Curb weight
3,219 lb.
3,224 lb.
3,362 lb.
3,494 lb.
3,594 lb.
Ground Clearance
5.3 in.
5.3 in.
5.3 in.
5.3 in.
5.3 in.
Overall Width with Mirrors
Overall Width without Mirrors
73.2 in.
73.2 in.
73.2 in.
73.2 in.
73.2 in.
Height
57.7 in.
57.7 in.
57.7 in.
57.7 in.
57.7 in.
Length
191.1 in.
191.1 in.
191.1 in.
191.1 in.
191.1 in.
Wheelbase
110.4 in.
110.4 in.
110.4 in.
110.4 in.
110.4 in.
Seating Capacity
Cargo Space
15.9 cu. ft.
15.9 cu. ft.
15.9 cu. ft.
15.9 cu. ft.
15.9 cu. ft.
Front Head Room
39.8 in.
39.8 in.
39.8 in.
39.8 in.
39.8 in.
Front Leg Room
45.5 in.
45.5 in.
45.5 in.
45.5 in.
45.5 in.
Front Shoulder Room
58.1 in.
58.1 in.
58.1 in.
58.1 in.
58.1 in.
Rear Head Room
37.8 in.
37.8 in.
37.8 in.
37.8 in.
37.8 in.
Rear Leg Room
35.6 in.
35.6 in.
35.6 in.
35.6 in.
35.6 in.
Rear Shoulder Room
56.4 in.
56.4 in.
56.4 in.
56.4 in.
56.4 in.
Section Title

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

True Cost to Own®
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Average Cost Per Mile
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Depreciation
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Financing
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Taxes & Fees
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Fuel
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Insurance
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Maintenance
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Repairs
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Section Title

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Interior
Black Cloth, cloth
Beige Cloth, cloth
Merlot Leather, leather
Black Cloth, cloth
Beige Cloth, cloth
Beige Leather, leather
Gray Leather, leather
Black Leather, leather
Merlot Leather, leather
Black Leather, leather
Black Nappa Leather, premium leather
Aubergine Nappa Leather, premium leather
Ivory Nappa Leather, premium leather
Exterior
Horizon Blue
Sangria
Ebony Black
Silky Silver
Sparkling Silver
Platinum Graphite
Aurora Black Pearl
Titanium Silver
Snow White Pearl
Horizon Blue
Sangria
Ebony Black
Silky Silver
Platinum Graphite
Titanium Silver
Snow White Pearl
Horizon Blue
Sangria
Ebony Black
Sparkling Silver
Titanium Silver
Snow White Pearl
Horizon Blue
Ebony Black
Platinum Graphite
Remington Red
Snow White Pearl
Horizon Blue
Sangria
Ebony Black
Titanium Silver
Snow White Pearl