2018
Kia Optima

Starts at:
$23,600
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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
See all specifications

Available cars near you

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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
See all CPO program details

Compare similar vehicles

Select cars to compare for more detailed info.
  • 2018
    4.9
    Kia Optima
    Starts at
    $22,600
    2018 Kia Optima
    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
    2018 Hyundai SONATA
    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
    2019 Kia Optima Hybrid
    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
    2016 Kia Optima
    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
    2019 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid
    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

97% of drivers recommend this car
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

  • By Victoria from Oklahoma City
    Owns this car
    April 12, 2025

    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
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By fernando from Orlando,florida
    Owns this car
    January 5, 2025

    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
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Crickett from New Bedford, MA
    Owns this car
    February 8, 2023

    Optima is a great car for the money!

    Just traded in my 2013 for a 2018 with less than 18,000 miles on it. I loved my Optima and wanted another. This one is nice, but missing the heated steering wheel my other EX had. I like the looks of the cabin on my 2013 better than this one, but it’s not bad. It’s a smooth comfortable ride, good on gas and has some nice safety features. Definitely not disappointed.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Keith from Dallas TX
    Owns this car
    July 6, 2022

    I love my 2018 Kia optima

    I just purchased a 2018 Kia optima from a used dealership at first I was concerned. But it only has 48,000 miles on it. Now 51,000 I always thought Kia was a girl car. But as a man. I love it. It has plenty room in the back. The car runs smoothly and I like the safety alert it gives when another vehicle is to close on you. I didn't want to drive it to work but the gas mileage is much better than my 2004 Ford escape . I've had my Kia almost a month now and I'm still trying to figure out how to work the features. Yes I recommend this car. Even if you get one with 100,000 miles on it. It would still run great
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    10 people out of 10 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Chrisjeit54 from Johnston, RI
    Owns this car
    June 17, 2022

    2018 Kia Optima Is One Sweet Ride

    As a former GM owners we went into buying our next used car with an open mind. I knew Kias were known for their reliability and overall value, but until we took this car for a test drive, we weren't really aware of how good theses cars got. It's quiet rides real well gets great mileage...around 38-40 on the highway, upper 20's around town, it's the FE edition or Fleet Edition, it has a ton of features including, keyless entry, pwr windows, locks and mirrors, carplay, heated mirrors, I could go on and on but this car is great and looks great too. We bought it used a year ago with just under 46000 miles. the bottom line is when looking at used cars check out the Optima. You won't be disappointed.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    10 people out of 10 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Irish from Sea Girt NJ
    Owns this car
    May 3, 2021

    More than meets my expectations for safety

    I like it. It has a number of safety features as well a great radio with car play, panoramic glass roof, heated and cooled seats and good gas mileage
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    13 people out of 15 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By TD45 from Farmington, Utah
    Owns this car
    March 26, 2021

    Feel comfortable and classy while saving on gas

    This car meets all of my needs. Good fuel economy. Comfortable interior. Attractive exterior. All the tech and gadgets the average Joe could need. Rides smooth. Handles well. It's not super powerful, but not bad. I don't have to floor it or anythinf to get it going. Kick it into sport mode, and it's fun to drive!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    6 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Jimbo Baggans from Everson
    Owns this car
    March 11, 2021

    This is the best car I have ever owned.

    This car does everything well. Reliable, great looking, fun to drive. My next car will be the Kia stinger. That is an Optima, only better.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    5 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Ferndawg420 from Las Vegas , NV
    Owns this car
    February 15, 2021

    Amazing purchase for the price

    This car drives super smooth, has the updated features of most cars, and looks classy . It’s very spacious and gives you your money’s worth ! I am very happy with this car !
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Kikilove78 from Jacksonville, Florida
    Owns this car
    December 14, 2020

    Great vehicle

    The vehicle itself is great but extremely overpriced for what I’m paying 2018 based off Kelley blue blue book value is only worth $16,000 I am paying or a excuse me I will be paying twice as much is that when I get done paying for this vehicle because they have me paying 21,000 for the vehicle at $599 a month
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Mark from Dunstable
    Owns this car
    October 19, 2020

    A true joy to drive

    Inside and out, this car looks and feels great. Lots of amenities, but most of all, plenty of room both front and back, and extremely comfortable to drive.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Tlovaa from South amboy NJ
    Test drove this car
    September 27, 2020

    Most reliable family car

    Smooth riding, very perfect for families nice big trunk and big space in the back seat. It's very sporty yet perfect for big families. Only thing I don't like is jktkkkh
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
See all reviews

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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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