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Used 2019 Kia Optima Sedan Trims Comparison

Trim level differences

The 2019 Kia Optima is available in four trim levels. The base LX comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and 16-inch alloy wheels. The S is a sport-themed version of the LX with slightly different styling and tech features, while the EX gets its own unique powertrain. Commendably, Kia has kept the pricing close across these trims. The SX is more expensive, but its powerful turbocharged engine and additional tech and luxury features are enticing.

Under the hood of the entry-level front-wheel-drive Optima LX is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (185 horsepower, 178 pound-feet of torque) matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. Standard features include 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, remote locking and unlocking, cruise control, a driver information display, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, height-adjustable front seats (with two-way power lumbar adjustment for the driver), and a 60/40-split rear seat.

Also standard for the LX are Bluetooth, an 8-inch touchscreen and a six-speaker audio system with a USB port, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and HD and satellite radio. Standard advanced safety equipment includes a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Lane keeping assist, driver attention monitoring, lane departure warning and forward collision warning are made standard for 2019 models.

The optional Premium package adds 17-inch wheels, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, LED interior lighting, some gloss-black exterior trim, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with two-way power lumbar adjustment.

The S adds to the features of the LX with 18-inch wheels, foglights, LED taillights, a rear spoiler, push-button start, and cloth and faux leather upholstery. The optional Panoramic Sunroof package includes a panoramic sunroof and gloss-black exterior accents.

The EX gets its own powertrain, a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (178 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque) and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It loses the spoiler but receives acoustic front door windows, power-folding mirrors, illuminated door handles, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and ignition, a hands-free unlocking trunk, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air vents, heated front seats, driver-seat memory settings, interior wood accents, an electronic parking brake, and leather upholstery. Front passengers have two rapid-charging USB ports at their disposal, while rear-seat passengers get one USB port and one power port.

One package is available on the EX. The Premium package adds a 12-way-adjustable driver's seat with a four-way power lumbar, a 10-way passenger seat with a two-way power lumbar, ventilated front seats, the panoramic sunroof, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, ambient lighting, a heated steering wheel, and a navigation system.

The range-topping SX is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (245 hp, 260 lb-ft) with a six-speed automatic transmission. It is equipped similarly to the EX outfitted with a Premium package, plus additional upgrades including 18-inch wheels, adaptive LED headlights, LED foglights, a rear spoiler, dual exhaust tips, a sport-tuned suspension, red brake calipers, a flat-bottom steering wheel with wheel-mounted shift paddles, ambient interior lighting, metal interior trim, and a larger driver information display. It also adds a temporary spare tire compared to the tire repair kit on other trims.

A choice of three SX Limited packages is available (Aubergine, Black and Bronze), which differ mainly with interior color selection. The rest of the package includes 18-inch black wheels, a black headliner, upgraded door trim and higher-quality leather upholstery, heated outboard rear seats, perforated leather on the steering wheel, body-colored mirrors, rear side window sunshades, and a surround-view camera system.

Which Optima trim does Edmunds recommend?

Every trim level of the 2019 Optima comes well-equipped with not only luxury and convenience features but safety aids as well, with Kia making its full suite of driver assistance technologies standard on every Optima. Our choice would be the SX model because we like both the refreshed interior and exterior styling touches that are unique to the SX. We also like its turbocharged 2.0-liter powertrain. And even when fully loaded, it's priced very competitively among its rivals.

Compare trims side-by-side

Comparing average pricing near
Shakopee, MN
Vehicle
Optima LX
Optima S
Optima EX
Optima SX
Vehicle
LX
2.4L 4cyl 6A
See all Optima LX for sale
3 for sale near you
S
2.4L 4cyl 6A
See all Optima S for sale
EX
1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM
See all Optima EX for sale
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Section Title

Features

Features

Features

Features

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

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

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

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

City/Hwy/Combined MPG
24 / 33 / 27 MPG
24 / 33 / 27 MPG
27 / 37 / 31 MPG
21 / 30 / 24 MPG
City/Hwy/Combined MPGe
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Fuel Capacity
18.5 gal.
18.5 gal.
18.5 gal.
18.5 gal.
Driving Range (city/hwy)
444 / 611 miles
444 / 611 miles
500 / 685 miles
389 / 555 miles
Fuel Type
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
Section Title

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Turning circle
35.8 ft.
35.8 ft.
35.8 ft.
35.8 ft.
Curb weight
3,230 lb.
3,298 lb.
3,285 lb.
3,558 lb.
Ground Clearance
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.
Height
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.
Wheelbase
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.
Front Head Room
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.
Front Shoulder Room
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.
Rear Leg Room
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.
Section Title

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

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

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Interior
Black Cloth, cloth
Brown Cloth, cloth
Black Cloth, cloth
Black Leather, leather
Gray Leather, leather
Bronze Nappa Leather, premium leather
Black Nappa Leather, premium leather
Aubergine Nappa Leather, premium leather
Black Leather, leather
Red Leather, leather
Exterior
Snow White Pearl
Sparkling Silver
Horizon Blue
Platinum Graphite
Sangria
Ebony Black
Passion Red
Snow White Pearl
Horizon Blue
Platinum Graphite
Ebony Black
Snow White Pearl
Sparkling Silver
Horizon Blue
Platinum Graphite
Sangria
Titanium Silver
Ebony Black
Snow White Pearl
Sparkling Silver
Horizon Blue
Passion Red
Ebony Black