Used 2020 Kia Optima Consumer Reviews
Used Optima for sale
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2020 Optima, so we've included reviews for other years of the Optima since its last redesign.
Unmatched Value
Greg, 06/02/2019
2019 Kia Optima EX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
I would like to start my review off by saying that I have never owned a mid-size sedan before, and most vehicles I have owned in the past have been old used cars, or low trim new economy sedans. I do have four years experience working on cars though, so I've seen the good, the bad and the ugly first hand. I mention this because of the simple fact that this vehicle, based on it's pricing, made it possible for me to start driving a near top level trim of what I believe is one of the sharpest looking cars on the road under $30,000. The ride is so smooth, and I really love the sound dampening windows on the EX trim. It makes a huge difference on highway driving and really allows you to enjoy the radio. It's not as "engaging" as some of its counterparts but I'm not the type of driver that drag races people to the next stop sign/light. With that said I have given it some throttle and did feel it had a decent punch, thanks to the turbo. I love Android Auto because I can turn an 8" display into a nav system with Google maps, I can listen to and browse (to a degree) Spotify or iHeartRadio, and best of all I don't have to struggle to tell my system to call Mom, and it respond with "Did you mean to call Work?" This is made possible by the Google Assistant which is ages better at voice recognition than standard Bluetooth systems, and also has years of my own personal voice history stored. Speaking of the radio, I'm not an audiophile but I am pretty picky when I comes to sound. The base system is about average for a non-premium, but I do hear rattling in the door panel even without the bass cranked to 11. I live in Upstate NY and so the heated seats will be a welcome luxury for me, I've even used them on a couple of cooler spring nights and found they heat up fast. Overall, as most reviewers have stated, the cabin is just really well composed and easy to use, something a lot of vehicles fail to do. Overall I am very happy with this vehicle. I've received a lot of compliments on the look. And knowing the vehicles I've driven in the past a lot of people have been surprised I could afford it.
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Peculiar omissions
Brian, 06/29/2020
2020 Kia Optima EX Premium 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
Test drove several Optimas. Hard to beat for the money, BUT a car that will keep you in your lane, will heat, or cool your bottom, and has a heated steering wheel( a feature Honda doesn't offer in an Accord) doesn't have the basic homelink garage door opener , or Remote start?! Remote start is available as an app for $180 year? 1.6T is OK, but not up to par with the other turbos, and the trans is a little clunky.
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2020 Kia Optima for sale near you
Showing 3 of 48 listings
- LX SedanMSRP: $16,8047 mi away
- EX Premium SedanMSRP: $16,79569 mi away
- SX SedanMSRP: $18,50062 mi away
See all 48 listings
Road Noise-STILL!!! 2nd. Review
Willie G., 08/18/2019
updated 02/22/2022
2019 Kia Optima S 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
10 of 12 people found this review helpful
2019 Kia Optima S. Have 18" low-profile tires and lots of road noise! Switched to expensive tires and the noise calmed down a bit. Still sounds like driving on pebbles most of the time. Owned 2 Optimas previously. A 2013 and 2018. Pretty quite ride in both vehicles. They had 16" and 17" Touring tires. These 18" tires are high-performance tires. Don't need them on a Optima 4-dr. sedan. My ace mechanic took car for a ride. He said its definitely the tires, and why do I have low-profile high-performance tires on the car. The tires are made for speed and sporty handling. Well, I can't afford to change the tires again because you have to change the wheel size too. Kia helped me put better tires on the car when I switched them out. So here we are-nothing has changed as far as rode noise is concerned. I was also told that high performance tires have a different pattern in the center of the tire for traction. Also these tires do not absorb the road noise like a touring tire. I can wait till the tires need to be replaced or until we purchase a new car again. Anybody else having the same problem?? August 19, 2020
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Nice
David, 07/28/2019
2019 Kia Optima LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
Was always a little leery about bargain brand cars. Was surprised at first Optima I drove, then again when it was restyled. Almost bought one, but bought 2014 Sportage instead. Liked. Now drive 2019 LX dark blue. Really nice. Great UVO infotainment center. Nice motor/at combination. Willing to wind out satisfyingly if you ask it too. Stylish. Only one usb port, however. Not a deal breaker. Love Android Auto. Maps are really nice, etc. Less muscular than it used to be, but more sophisticated.
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2019 Optima SXL (Limited Package)
Michael SXL, 01/01/2020
2019 Kia Optima SX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Love this car! Up front I will say that at 6.7 seconds 0-60mph, it’s not the fastest in its class. HOWEVER, the trade-offs you would have to make for similar class models with a faster 0-60mph time just aren’t worth it. The Optima SXL-Limited Package isn’t as well known as the base SX model. You can’t find many pictures/videos about the SXL online, but there are a few out there. The Limited Package adds about $4,000 to the MSRP. I got the Aubergine color combo. The Nappa leather seats scream luxury, and aren’t as tacky as the basic red/black SX seats. Also, other features are more plush such as the suede headliner, heated rear seats, and the rear window sun-shades. The “Birdseye” Surround View Monitor (only in SXL) is super cool, automatically comes on when reversing but can be turned on as long as you aren’t going faster than 9mph, which comes in handy. You can view all cameras at once, or select cameras individually to view. The SXL model has upgraded 18” Dark Satin rims with red painted brake calipers. The side mirrors are the same color as the car (black on the SX), and they automatically fold in/out when you lock/unlock the doors which is kinda cool too. There are added chrome accents to the side sills, and of course there is the “SXL” tag on the back of the car with the letter “L” in shiny red. I LOVE the panoramic sunroof and it is a must get option for this car! I think it adds about $1,000 to MSRP. Safety features galore! The Lane Keep Assist will literally steer the car to stay in your lane without you even having to touch the steering wheel. As long as there are well painted road lines, this car will steer for you, even driving over 60mph. Obviously not recommended to use like this lol, but it works! Several different crash avoidance systems, like automatic emergency braking, blind spot warnings on the side mirrors, parking assist, rear cross traffic assist, lane departure warning etc. This model has it all. The premium Hardon Kardon sound system with subwoofer and surround sound is amazing. I had the 2017 Regal GS with the Bose system, and the Hardon Kardon blows it away! The car feels like it has zero turbo lag which was always apparent in my 2017 Regal GS. The Optima SXL takes off with virtually no turbo lag, and I can certainly tell the difference when driving in Sport mode. According to the specs the Regal GS beats the 2019 Optima SXL at 0-60mph in 6.2sec versus the Optima at 6.7sec. But honestly, it doesn’t feel like it to me! All around, the 2019 Optima SXL has a great design and sporty look inside and out. With all the added safety features and limited additions, best car in its class at this price range. $37,410 for my car after charges for White Pearl paint job, wheel locks, carpeted floor mats etc. Pretty hard to beat!
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