Skip to main content

2020 Kia Optima

Change year or car
$23,390

starting MSRP

Key specs

Base trim shown

Sedan

Body style

27

Combined MPG

5

Seating capacity

191.1” x 57.7”

Dimensions

Front-wheel drive

Drivetrain

Overview

(74 reviews)

The good:

  • Many standard safety, driver-assistance features
  • Spacious interior
  • Intuitive controls

The bad:

  • Unremarkable engines
  • So-so handling
  • Firm ride with sport suspension (SX)

6 trims

Starting msrp listed lowest to highest price

Wondering which trim is right for you?

Our 2020 Kia Optima trim comparison will help you decide.

See also: Find the best Sedans for 2024

Notable features

  • Five-seat mid-size sedan
  • 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine standard
  • Turbo 1.6-liter, 2.0-liter engines available
  • Automatic emergency braking standard
  • Android Auto, Apple CarPlay standard
See also: How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2020 Kia Optima?

2020 Kia Optima review: Our expert's take

What Is the 2020 Kia Optima?

The Kia Optima mid-size sedan seats five and competes with the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima. It’s powered by a standard 185-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine or a turbocharged 1.6- or 2.0-liter four-cylinder that make 178 and 245 hp, respectively. The 2.4- and 2.0-liter engines work with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the 1.6-liter engine pairs with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. 

What’s New on the 2020 Kia Optima?

The standard automatic emergency braking system adds pedestrian detection, while EX and SX trim levels now have wireless device charging. 

What Features in the 2020 Kia Optima Are Most Important?

Standard exterior cues include 16-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights and power-adjustable heated side mirrors. Inside, there’s a standard 8-inch touchscreen multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, and a Harman Kardon premium stereo is optional. Standard active safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, high-beam assist and a driver attention warning. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability is optional. 

Should I Buy the 2020 Kia Optima?

The Optima is a spacious mid-size sedan that features intuitive controls, and it’s packed with important active safety features. However, we weren’t impressed with its powertrains, and the SX trim’s sport-tuned suspension is firm. 

Consumer reviews

(74 reviews)
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.9
  • Interior 4.8
  • Performance 4.5
  • Value 4.6
  • Exterior 4.9
  • Reliability 4.7
Write a review

Most recent consumer reviews

Wouldn't buy another Kia 4 years old 2020 Kia Optima and

Wouldn't buy another Kia 4 years old 2020 Kia Optima and it is using oil before 5000 mile oil change it was two quart low. Change my oil but didn't input any information in the system to confirm of the oil consumption test. That was on July 2nd, 2024. Here we are here today August 9th, 2024 just too have the oil consumption test start a new per Service manager. I am not a happy consumer with Kia service agreement practices.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 1.0
  • Value 3.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 1.0
  • Does not recommend this car
0 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No

I wish I could give 0 stars in reliability I've owned

I wish I could give 0 stars in reliability I've owned this car for almost 2 years now and it's went through already 2 motors!! It's sitting in my driveway I'm afraid to drive it!! I got it used and it only has 120,000 miles on it and already went through 2 motors within 20,000 miles Kia is aware of there engines but won't fix it had to pay for not only one but two so yeah if you ever get a chance to get a Kia optima ANY YEAR DONT DONT DONT RUN AWAY AS FAST AS YOU CAN!!!!!! THE WORST CAR IVE EVER OWNED!!!!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 1.0
  • Interior 1.0
  • Performance 1.0
  • Value 1.0
  • Exterior 1.0
  • Reliability 1.0
  • Does not recommend this car
1 person out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No

2020 Kia Optima EX. Still not fixed!!!

I have nothing but problems. I go to accelerate and it hesitates. Doesn’t always do it. Kia can’t duplicate it so they say they can’t fix it. They replaced the actuator? and clutches. Still does it. Then they said it’s the front axels. Replaced those still does it. This was at St. Augustine Family Kia. Not a fan.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 1.0
  • Value 4.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 1.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does not recommend this car
2 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No
See all 74 consumer reviews

Safety

Based on the 2020 Kia Optima base trim.
Combined side rating front seat
5
Combined side rating rear seat
5
Frontal barrier crash rating driver
5
Frontal barrier crash rating passenger
4
Overall frontal barrier crash rating
5
Overall rating
5
Overall side crash rating
5
Risk of rollover
9.8%
Rollover rating
5
Side barrier rating
5
Side barrier rating driver
5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5

Warranty

New car and Certified Pre-Owned programs by Kia
New car program benefits
Bumper-to-bumper
60 months/60,000 miles
Corrosion
60 months/100,000 miles
Powertrain
120 months/100,000 miles
Roadside assistance
60 months/60,000 miles
Certified Pre-Owned program benefits
Maximum age/mileage
6 years or newer/less than 80,000 miles
Basic warranty terms
12 months/12,000 miles
Powertrain
10 years/100,000 miles
Dealer certification required
165-point inspection
Roadside assistance
Yes
View all cpo program details

Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?

Compare the competitors

Latest 2020 Optima stories

kia k5 ex 2021 angle  blue  exterior  rear 17 jpg
chevrolet tahoe high country 2021 badge  black  exterior  rear 10 jpg
August Sales 2020 gif
See all 2020 Kia Optima articles