2018
Kia Optima

Starts at:
$25,700
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New 2018 Kia Optima
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Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • LX Auto
    Starts at
    $22,600
    25 City / 36 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • S Auto
    Starts at
    $23,600
    23 City / 32 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • LX 1.6T DCT
    Starts at
    $24,400
    28 City / 37 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • EX Auto
    Starts at
    $25,700
    24 City / 34 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • SX Auto
    Starts at
    $30,600
    22 City / 31 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

Photo & video gallery

2018 Kia Optima 2018 Kia Optima 2018 Kia Optima 2018 Kia Optima 2018 Kia Optima 2018 Kia Optima 2018 Kia Optima 2018 Kia Optima 2018 Kia Optima 2018 Kia Optima 2018 Kia Optima 2018 Kia Optima 2018 Kia Optima 2018 Kia Optima 2018 Kia Optima 2018 Kia Optima 2018 Kia Optima 2018 Kia Optima 2018 Kia Optima 2018 Kia Optima 2018 Kia Optima

Notable features

7-inch touchscreen multimedia system now standard
Android Auto, Apple CarPlay now standard
Blind spot warning now standard
Five-seat mid-size sedan
Turbo four-cylinder engines available
Hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions available

The good & the bad

The good

Overall cabin materials
Roomy interior
360-degree camera system available
Drivetrain choices

The bad

Interior design has large, blank spaces
Interior materials disappoint in a few instances
Performance with 1.6-liter engine

Available cars near you

Safety review

Based on the 2018 Kia Optima base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Overall rating
5/5
Combined side rating front seat
5/5
Combined side rating rear seat
5/5
Frontal barrier crash rating driver
5/5
Frontal barrier crash rating passenger
4/5
Overall frontal barrier crash rating
5/5
Overall side crash rating
5/5
Rollover rating
5/5
Side barrier rating
5/5
Side barrier rating driver
5/5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5/5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5/5
9.8%
Risk of rollover
Side barrier rating driver
5/5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5/5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5/5
9.8%
Risk of rollover

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
5 years / 60,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years / 100,000 miles
Powertrain
10 years / 100,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
5 years / 60,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
6 years or newer / less than 80,000 miles
Basic
12 months / 12,000 miles
Dealer certification
165-point inspection

Compare similar vehicles

Select cars to compare for more detailed info.
  • 2018
    4.9
    Kia Optima
    Starts at
    $22,600
    25 City / 36 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    -
    Warranty
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2018
    4.8
    Hyundai SONATA
    Starts at
    $22,050
    25 City / 36 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    -
    Warranty
    Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2019
    5.0
    Kia Optima Hybrid
    Starts at
    $28,090
    39 City / 45 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    120 month/100,000 miles
    Warranty
    Gas/Electric I-4
    Engine
    Front-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2016
    4.6
    Kia Optima
    Starts at
    $22,140
    24 City / 35 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    -
    Warranty
    Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4
    Engine
    Front-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2019
    Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid
    Starts at
    $35,390
    29 mi.
    Range
    5
    Seat capacity
    120 month/100,000 miles
    Warranty
    Gas/Electric I-4
    Engine
    Front-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • Compare more options
    Use our comparison tool to add any vehicle of your choice and see a full list of specifications and features side-by-side.
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Consumer reviews

4.9 / 5
Based on 329 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.9
Interior 4.8
Performance 4.8
Value 4.8
Exterior 4.9
Reliability 4.9

Most recent

Kia is the worst to deal with.

Kia is the worst to deal with. They don’t want to fix nothing on the car even you take to a dealership. I took my 2018 Kia optima to a dealership telling them I have changed my spark plugs 3 times in 2 months, And what did they do? Change out the spark plugs. Well I already did that. U didn’t fix crap but do what I already did. Still in the same boat. Never again
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does not recommend this car
Comfort 2.0
Interior 2.0
Performance 1.0
Value 1.0
Exterior 3.0
Reliability 1.0
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I love my optima but sunroof guide is broken little part

I love my optima but sunroof guide is broken little part is coming out and hitting my grandson head now I can use I put black tape because is not close right I go to the dealer and he said I need to fixed asap also associated from there love my car is so clean please I need help is my family car also I take my wife for doctors appointment she have stage 3 leaver
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does recommend this car
Comfort 4.0
Interior 5.0
Performance 4.0
Value 4.0
Exterior 4.0
Reliability 4.0
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2018 Kia Optima?

The 2018 Kia Optima is available in 5 trim levels:

  • EX (1 style)
  • LX (1 style)
  • LX 1.6T (1 style)
  • S (1 style)
  • SX (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 2018 Kia Optima?

The 2018 Kia Optima offers up to 25 MPG in city driving and 36 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2018 Kia Optima?

The 2018 Kia Optima compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2018 Kia Optima reliable?

The 2018 Kia Optima has an average reliability rating of 4.9 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2018 Kia Optima owners.

Is the 2018 Kia Optima a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2018 Kia Optima. 97.9% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.9 / 5
Based on 329 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.9
  • Interior: 4.8
  • Performance: 4.8
  • Value: 4.8
  • Exterior: 4.9
  • Reliability: 4.9

Kia Optima history

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