2020 Kia Optima

The 2020 Kia Optima Sedan is a well-rounded car, but Kia does not have the patent rights to the winning formula for the mid-size sedans. Other brands are all set to retain their piece of the pie by matching Kia's deliverables on the Optima. Sedans like Ford Fusion, Hyundai Elantra, Honda Accord, and Toyota Corolla are ready for the race.

Offered at the price tag of $22,900, the 2020 Kia Optima is available in four trims, LX, S, EX, and the SX. The base LX trim offers a basic 2.0 L Inline-4 cylinder engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The S trim shares the same engine except loaded with more tech-savvy features. Then comes the EX trim which chose a slightly diverted path with its 1.6L Turbo Inline-4, it delivers a tad more torque than the standard powertrain. The SX model sits at the pinnacle of the Optima Lineup. You will get a 2.0L Inline-4 engine with the added might of a turbocharger.

Trim	LX	S	EX	SX
MSRP	$22,900	$24,900	$26,800	$31,900
Key Features	16-inch alloy wheels	18-inch wheels	Power-folding mirrors illuminated door handles	18-inch wheels
	Cruise control	Foglights and LED taillights	Adaptive cruise control	Adaptive LED headlights
	Height-adjustable front seats (with two-way power lumbar adjustment for the driver)	Rear spoiler	Keyless entry and ignition	LED foglights
	Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel	Cloth and faux leather	Hands-free unlocking trunk	Flat-bottom steering wheel with wheel-mounted shift paddles
	Remote locking and unlocking	Push-button start	Dual-zone automatic climate control	Rear spoiler
	Heated mirrors	Panoramic sunroof	Rear air vents	Dual exhaust tips
	Automatic headlights	Gloss-black exterior accents	Heated front seats	Ambient interior lighting
	60/40-split rear seat		Driver-seat memory settings	Larger driver information display
	7-inch touchscreen		Interior wood accents	Metal interior trim
	Apple CarPlay		Electronic parking brake	Sport-tuned suspension
	Android Auto		Leather upholstery	Red brake calipers
	Six-speaker audio system with a USB port

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Kia made all the entire Optima safety suit standard for all trims and the luxury quotient is well mated for the price. Still, the SX trim’s unique styling is something you would love to have.

“Unlike the 2.0T, the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and its unconventional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission suffer from a disappointing lack of responsiveness when accelerating and driving at low speeds. The brakes can be a bit touchy, but handling is decent for the class”- Edmunds

Engine and Transmission

Pop up the hood and you will find a 2.4 L Inline-4 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The powerplant cranks out a 185 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque though that’s the base trim cosmetics. The EX trim trades the standard engine for a Turbocharged 1.6L Inline-4 engine paired to a 7-speed automatic transmission. Being the higher-end trim it was supposed to be more powerful but it's slightly underpowered than the standard powertrain, however, the engine makes amends with its superior torque output. Horsepower and torque figures for the EX trims are rated at 178 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque.

Models	Kia Optima	Ford Fusion	Hyundai Elantra Sedan SE	Toyota Corolla L Sedan	Honda Civic LX Sedan	Mazda 3 Sport Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze Sedan L
MSRP	$22,900	$22,840	$18,100	$18,700	$20,250	$20,240	$18,870
Engine	2.4L I-4	2.5L I-4	2.0 L inline-four	1.8 L inline-four	2.0 L inline-four	2.0 L inline-four	1.4L Turbo Inline 4
Transmission	6-speed automatic	6-Speed Automatic	6-speed Automatic	CVT	CVT	6-speed Auto	6 Speed Automatic
Horsepower	185 hp @ 6000	175  hp @ 6000	147hp @ 6200 rpm	132hp @ 6000 rpm	158hp @ 6500 rpm	155hp @ 6000 rpm	153hp @5600rpm
Torque	178 lb.-ft @ 4000	175 lb.-ft @ 4500	132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm	128 lb-ft @4400 rpm	138 lb.-ft @ 4200 rpm	150 lb.-ft. @4000 rpm	177 lb.-ft. @4000 rpm

The SX trim gets a turbocharged 2.0L Inline-4 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Turbocharger spices up the engine to deliver power worth 245 horsepower and 260-pound feet of torque. All trims are competitively priced and catered to different needs in the mid-size sedan segment.

Acceleration

There is a lot of power on the Optima regardless of your choice of trim. The peppy base engine feels ready to take on the road and the transmission backs the engine while does that. However, things are not that smooth for the EX trim. There might be a lot of power but the chunky 7-speed automatic may disturb your acceleration. SX, on the other hand, is flawless with its 6.8-second acceleration. As you drive further, the Optima took 15.2 seconds to hit the quarter-mile light.

Models	Kia Optima	Ford Fusion	Hyundai Elantra Sedan SE	Toyota Corolla L Sedan	Honda Civic LX Sedan	Mazda 3 Sport Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze Sedan L
0-60 MPH(sec)	6.8*	8.5*	8.3	9.4	8.2	8.0	7.7
Quarter mile(sec)	15.2*	16.3*	16.4	17.2	16.3	16.2	16.3
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	6.1*	7.1*	10.2	9.8	8.4	11.2	5.6
Curb Weight (lb..)	3411*	3431*	2767	2840	2742	2899	2870

* 2018 figures used for reference purposes

Possibly one of the quickest, Kia Optima zoom in with its 6.8-second acceleration. Other sedans like the Ford Fusion and Hyundai Elantra are way too slow for the Optima. Even on the quarter-mile run, the Ford Fusion is a full second behind the Optima.

Ride and Handling

Behind the wheel, Kia Optima inspires confidence with its predictable flat-bottom steering. However, the lack of road communication may dwindle your confidence. The engine dynamics of the car puts no limits on its ability to maneuver, the Optima’s power is satisfying both on the highway and city. Handling might not feel razor-sharp as the Stinger but it's entertaining nevertheless. Optima’s mid-size dimensions give you a hassle-free ride, cutting traffic is a light day for the Optima. The rather thin tires are silent in the city though on the highway they are a real screamer.

There is no concrete problem with Kia’s ride quality but the 7-speed automatic transmission on the EX trim has a mind of its own. The shifts are not smooth and it feels like the car always wants to enter the next gear. Also, the EX takes a lot of motivation and push to gain any momentum. The LX, S, and SX trims have a 6-speed automatic and are not bothered by these delicacies. 

Braking

The braking dynamics seem fair on paper but in the rear world braking is not this Kia’s strong suit. Both the front and rear brake rotors are rated at 12 inches and 11.2 inches, quite reasonable for the industry standards. However, the pedal feels soft and pose a spontaneous vibe. Nail down the brake pedal and this sedan deaccelerates down to a standstill in 124 feet for the 60 to 0 panic brake test.

Models	Kia Optima	Ford Fusion	Hyundai Elantra Sedan SE	Toyota Corolla L Sedan	Honda Civic LX Sedan	Mazda 3 Sport Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze Sedan L
Brake Front (in.)	12	11.8	10.3	10.8	10.2	10.7	10.8
Brake Rear (in.)	11.2	11.9	9.7	9.1	9.8	9.5	10.4
70-0 MPH (ft.)	124(60-0)	122(60-0)	182	183	180	179	110 (60-0MPH)

Not that competitive as cars like Chevrolet Cruz the Optima is below average. The Ford Fusion is a tad early than the Optima with its 122 feet performance.

No buyer will compromise the economy over anything else in the mid-size sedan segment. Though Kia’s rivals are more giving when it comes it mileage the Optima is not far behind. In the city, you can expect a 24 mpg mileage and 33 mpg while cruising on the highway. Its 18.5-gallon tank is relatively larger than its rivals. The fact that the Optima can survive on the regular unleaded engine might save you some money in the long run.

Models	Kia Optima	Ford Fusion	Hyundai Elantra Sedan SE	Toyota Corolla L Sedan	Honda Civic LX Sedan	Mazda 3 Sport Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze Sedan L
MPG (city)	24	21	28	28	32	27	30
MPG (highway)	33	32	37	35	42	36	39
MPG (combined)	27	25	32	31	36	30	33
Fuel Tank Capacity(Gal.)	18.5	16.5	14	13.2	12.39	13.2	13.7

Though the Kia Optima is efficient it’s average when you compare with its direct adversaries. Hyundai Elantra and Honda Civic are the most fuel-efficient sedan with its 32 mpg and 36 mpg of combined mileage.

“There isn't a lot of visual excitement inside the Optima, but it is smartly designed for function. The quality of materials and available features make you feel as if you're getting just a bit more for your money. The only major drawback is the compromised rear visibility”- Edmunds

Seating and Comfort

Functionality over funk and quality over junk- The Optima’s interior may not be the most stylish or loaded with upmarket quality but it's smart and practical. All the knobs and buttons feel premium and meet their function, you don’t need to improvise fall into the conundrum of ambiguous menus to get what you intended. The cabin is roomy and can fairy hold 5 seaters, you get an 8-way power-adjustable driver seat with 2-way power lumbar support. As you climb the trim ladder your Optima will be bequeathed to 10-way power adjustment with heated and ventilated seats.

Models	Kia Optima	Ford Fusion	Hyundai Elantra Sedan SE	Toyota Corolla L Sedan	Honda Civic LX Sedan	Mazda 3 Sport Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze Sedan L
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.8/58.1/45.5	39.2/57.8/44.3	38.8/56.2/42.3	38.3/54.8/42.3	39.3/57.0/37.1	38.3/54.8/42.3	38.9/54.8/42
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.8/56.4/35.6	37.8/56.9/38.3	37.3/55.0/35.7	37.1/55.0/37.4	37.1/55.0/37.4	37.6/54.4/35.8	37.3/53.7/36.1

The cabin is fairly roomy and offers generous seating for five. The front seats offer a lot of legroom and headroom space, 45.3 inches and 39.8 inches to be precise. The second-row seats are not that bad either, 6 feet might have to adjust a little to get more legroom as its limited to 35 inches. The rear headroom and shoulder room are not infected with such a problem.

Cargo Capacity

Though there are a lot of good-sized sedans in the mid-size market the Optima surpasses

them all through its sense of practicality in the market today. The tailgate shares a nice and wide opening with its standard 15.9 cubic feet of the cargo bay. The rear seat features a 60/40 split to open up more cargo space. The cabin utility is top-notch with a lot of door pockets, cubby holes, and a concealed bin under the armrest.

Models	Kia Optima	Ford Fusion	Hyundai Elantra Sedan SE	Toyota Corolla L Sedan	Honda Civic LX Sedan	Mazda 3 Sport Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze Sedan L
Cargo Capacity (lb.)	15.9	16	14.4	13.0	15.2	12.4	14.8

Infotainment

The tech front on the Optima is led by an 8-inch touch screen infotainment. The infotainment is bright, every feature could be easily located except for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which are there but locating them can be a little problematic. Kia backed the touch screen with its Uvo system and used a 10-speaker Harman Kardon music system. The voice controls work really well and the availability of Siri and Google voice assistance makes it even better.

Interior Features

• Audio And Cruise Controls On Steering Wheel
• Overhead Console With Storage
• Front Seatback Storage
• Cruise Control
• Turn Signal In Mirrors
• Dual Illuminating Vanity Mirrors
• Front And Rear Cupholders
• Rear Parking Sensors
• Electric Power Steering
• Tilt And Telescopic Steering Wheel
• Leather Steering Wheel
• Keyless Ignition
• Climate Control
• Electrochromatic Inside Rearview Mirror
• Adaptive Cruise Control

“A sporty profile and a handsome cabin lift the 2020 Kia Optima above the family-sedan pack. Now in its second generation, with a handsome shape that emerged in the 2016 model year, the Kia Optima has an attractive look that’s worked well enough to loan out to Kia’s new sport hatchback, the Stinger”- The Connection

Design and Dimension

Though the Kia Optima is largely unchanged for 2020, it still goes in strong this year. The new Stinger inspired front fascia imbibes a rebellious vibe to this mid-size. The styling is more curvaceous and strikingly similar to the 2016 model when it first came out. Considering its distant cousin Hyundai Sonata, Kia has crafted a better-looking car.

The Kia Optima is 191.1 inches long better than the usual mid-size sedan segment. The width and height are similar to other sends at 73.2 inches and 57.7 inches. You get a 5.3-inch ground clearance and a tad longer wheelbase of 110.4 inches.

Models	Kia Optima	Ford Fusion	Hyundai Elantra Sedan SE	Toyota Corolla L Sedan	Honda Civic LX Sedan	Mazda 3 Sport Sedan	Chevrolet Cruze Sedan L
Curb weight (lb..)	3219	3411	2844	2840	2724	2899	2870
Length(in)	191.1	191.7	181.9	183.1	182.3	180.3	183.7
Width(in)	73.2	75.6	70.9	69.9	70.8	70.7	70.5
Height(in)	57.7	58.1	56.5	57.3	55.7	57.3	57.4
Ground clearance (in)	5.3		5.3	6.7	6.3	6.1	6.4
Wheelbase (in)	110.4	112.1	106.3	106.3	106.3	106.3	106.3

Ford Fusion is the bigger car compared to the Optima though it’s also the heaviest too. Other cars like the Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Corolla, and the Civic revolve around 180 inches of total height. The short length equals results in a shorter wheelbase as well. While the Optima sakes up all the bumps from the ride with its 110 inches long wheelbase.

Exterior Features

• Puddle Lamps
• Rear Bumper Applique
• Mud Guards
• Wheel Locks
• Paint Protection Package

It’s not the practicality, power, or performance which attracts the buyer, but the unparallel safety gear offered on the Optima which magnetizes the buyers to Kia’s showroom. NHTSA awarded a stellar 5-star rating to the 2020 Kia Optima. You get a healthy standard feature list inclusive of safety features like Electronic Stability Control, Hill Assist, active lane control. Lean-departure warning and more.

• 4-Wheel ABS
• Emergency Braking Preparation
• Daytime Running Lights
• Post-Collision Safety System
• Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags
• Front And Rear Head Airbags
• Stability Control
• Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation
• Rear Height Adjustable Headrests
• Remote Anti-Theft Alarm System
• Dusk Sensing Headlamps
• Blind Spot And Lane Departure Warnings Accident Avoidance System
• Tire Pressure Monitoring
• Traction Control
• Ventilated Front Disc / Solid Rear Disc Brakes
• Pre-Collision Safety System
• Engine Immobilizer

Ford Fusion vs Kia Optima

The Ford Fusion is one of the dominant brands in the mid-size sedan segment. Ford has backed its car with more power and handling prowess which the Optima might not match. Though considering the base trims Optima is a more power dominant car. If you compare the price, both are identical, so this is going to be a tough one. No matter how attached to the Fusion you are, its time has come to an end. The feature list is not that rich and cabin is not user-friendly. Considering you can buy the feature savvy Optima for the same make your choice obvious.

Hyundai Elantra vs Kia Optima

Hyundai Elantra’s geeky feature list will surely attract some customers, but it’s not the most sensible buy. The Elantra is underpowered than the Optima and displays a poor ride quality. Being distant relatives the Elantra suffers from the same menacing 7-speed automatic transmission. Kia’s higher power output comes at the cost of mileage which Hyundai capitalizes on. Otherwise, we would suggest you go with Kia Optima as a well-rounded deal.

Honda Accord vs Kia Optima

No matter how great Optima is doing, it's not the class leader. Honda has a knack for delivering more the commuter market than other brands and the Accord is a live example. It's been 10 generations that the Accord has been dominating this segment and is possibly the best car you can buy at that price. It's more powerful, stylish, and comfortable. However, stacking up the Accord may stretch to 2 to 3 grand. Otherwise, the Accord is the car to go with.

The 2020 Kia Optima is a lucrative mid-size rending fair price, adequate power, and acceptable fuel economy numbers, and that’s about all a buyer in this segment wants right? The feature list is as geeky as one can get while driving. The ride quality might feel average but its better than most sedans offered in the segment. It’s a long car that’s for sure with a sloping roofline, this may penetrate into the usable headroom space, that’s a backdrop, but overall Kia has done a fine job with the Optima, as always.