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Depreciation, used prices, ownership costs and model-year data compared
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Kia Optima Depreciation & Resale Value
Buying a 2019 model instead of new saves roughly $10,415 off the original sticker.
The Kia Optima is a midsize sedan sold with conventional, turbocharged, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid configurations during the observed model years.
Market context: Six continuous cohort years cover the fourth-generation Optima without mixing in the K5 successor that adopted a new U.S. name for 2021.
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Compare the Kia Optima with its closest rivals
Open a side-by-side comparison of five-year value retention, depreciation by model year, used asking prices, repair costs, MPG and safety data.
At a glance
Key takeaways
Biggest drop
2020→2019
+5.8% in one year
Smart-buy year
2019
~$12,575 median
Depreciation by Model Year
| Model year | Depreciation from MSRP |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 44.1% |
| 2019 | 49.9% |
| 2018 | 54.8% |
| 2017 | 60.5% |
| 2016 | 65.6% |
| 2015 | 67.9% |
Based on 1,163 real used-car listings. Each listing's price is adjusted to a standard 12,000 mi/year for its age and compared to the vehicle's original MSRP; figures reflect a 5% asking-to-sale estimate.
Resale Value by Age
Estimated value of a typical Kia Optima as it ages, from a ~$23,390 new price.
| Age | Retained | Est. value | Lost that year | Total lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 yr | 92% | $21,600 | −$1,790 | −$1,790 |
| 2 yrs | 83% | $19,442 | −$2,158 | −$3,948 |
| 3 yrs | 75% | $17,500 | −$1,942 | −$5,890 |
| 4 yrs | 67% | $15,752 | −$1,748 | −$7,638 |
| 5 yrs | 61% | $14,178 | −$1,574 | −$9,212 |
| 6 yrs | 55% | $12,761 | −$1,417 | −$10,629 |
| 7 yrs | 49% | $11,486 | −$1,275 | −$11,904 |
| 8 yrs | 44% | $10,339 | −$1,147 | −$13,051 |
Interactive tool
What's your Optima worth?
Estimate a used Optima's value from its year and mileage, using our depreciation model.
Estimated value
$11,500
about typical mileage
At 84,000 miles (about typical for a 7-year-old car, ~84,000 mi). Estimate only — actual value depends on condition, trim, options, and local demand.
Should You Buy a Used Kia Optima?
Thinking about a Kia Optima? It's an average bet for resale. The smartest pick is a 2019 (around $12,575) — it sits just past the steepest depreciation, so the first owner already absorbed the biggest loss. Favor the S trim for the best resale, and always pull a vehicle-history report before buying.
Pros
- Proven longevity — examples regularly list past 150,000 miles and still sell for around $7,999.
- The S trim holds its value best if resale matters to you.
What Affects Kia Optima Resale Value
The 2020-to-2019 transition is where the Optima bleeds the most value, dropping 5.8% points in one year. That makes the 2019 Optima a value sweet spot — the previous owner absorbs the worst of the drop, and you still get a relatively recent car.
Not all trims age alike — the S retains the most value (~48.2% depreciation) and the SXL Turbo the least (~70.4%), a gap worth thousands when you resell.
Which Kia Optima Trims Hold Value Best
Share of original MSRP retained, averaged across model years.
S
51.8% kept· 73 listings
EX Premium
51.3% kept· 12 listings
LX
44.8% kept· 710 listings
SX Turbo
39.9% kept· 76 listings
EX
38.4% kept· 239 listings
LX Turbo
33.4% kept· 14 listings
SXL Turbo
29.6% kept· 32 listings
How Long Does the Kia Optima Last?
Mileage profile across 1,163 listings.
Over 100k mi
52.6%
Over 150k mi
6.5%
Highest mileage
247,583 mi
Price at 120k+ mi
$7,999
Roughly 52.6% of listed Kia Optimas have already crossed 100,000 miles, and 6.5% are past 150,000 — a sign these go the distance with maintenance.
Smartest Year to Buy
The 2019 Kia Optima sits just past the steepest depreciation drop, with a typical asking price around $12,575 — about $10,415 off its original MSRP.
View 2019 details →Price & Depreciation by Year
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year to buy a used Kia Optima?
The 2019 Optima is the value sweet spot: it sits just past the model's steepest one-year depreciation drop, so the first owner has already absorbed the biggest loss. Expect to pay around $12,575 for a typical example, and the S trim will hold its value best from there. As always, a well-maintained, accident-free example with average mileage for its age is worth paying a little more for than a cheap car with a questionable history. Whatever year you settle on, budget for a pre-purchase inspection — at a couple hundred dollars, it's the cheapest insurance against an expensive surprise down the road.
Which Kia Optima trim holds its value best?
The S retains the most value, depreciating about 48.2% on average across model years in our data. Trim choice can swing resale by thousands of dollars over a few years, because desirable trims stay in demand on the used market while stripped-down or niche trims sell at a discount. It's also worth comparing the trim premium new versus used — a pricier trim sometimes depreciates enough to become the smarter used buy. If you expect to resell, the S is the safer bet; if you're keeping the car long-term, buy the trim with the features you actually want and worry less about resale.
Methodology
Depreciation is computed from 1,163 real used-car listings. Each listing's asking price is normalized to a standard 12,000 miles per year for the vehicle's age, adjusted by a 5% asking-to-sale estimate, and compared against the original base MSRP for that VIN's trim. Headline 1/3/5-year figures reflect a smoothed retention curve fitted across all model years (the typical trajectory); individual years in the table above can run above or below it with market conditions. Full methodology. Updated August 2026.