SPOT.
Photo of a Kia Optima

Kia Optima

Kia’s design revolution came with a 274-hp punch: the 2011 Optima SX Turbo.12

Researched November 2, 2026 from 29 sources

At a glance

0150300
123.25–274 hpPower
0510
6.4–8.9 s0–60 mph
0125250
192–246.2 km/hTop speed
0200400
156.9–375 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,391–1,769 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.24911121314

Engine
1.6–2.4 L gas I4s, 2.5–2.7 L V6s; diesels, hybrids and plug-in hybrids41011
Layout
Front-engine, FWD; K5 offers AWD from 20204
Gearbox
5/6-speed manuals; 4/5/6-speed automatics; CVT; 7-speed dual-clutch411
Built at
Hwaseong Plant, South Korea; KMMG, West Point, United States4

The story

Created to share costs after Hyundai bought into Kia, the Sonata-based Optima later became a showcase for Peter Schreyer’s styling. Its fourth generation gained 50% in torsional rigidity.134

2000: MS debuts with Sonata underpinnings20002005: MG arrives as Lotze and Magentis20052010: TF: Peter Schreyer’s new direction20102011: Hybrid: 64.55 mpg across 48 states20112014: GTS manufacturers’ crown20142015: Fourth generation: 50% stiffer20152016: Sportswagon and Kia’s first plug-in20162018: Europe gets two new 1.6-liter engines20182019: K5 becomes the global name2019 Kia Concord: 1987–1995Kia ConcordKia Credos / Clarus: 1995–2001Kia Optima / Magentis (MS): 2000–2006; China 2004–2011MSKia Optima / Magentis / Lotze (MG): 2005–2010MGKia Optima / K5 (TF): 2010–2015TFKia Optima (fourth generation): 2015–2020 19901995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones14252627
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1987–1995Kia Concord
1995–2001Kia Credos / Clarus
2000–2006; China 2004–2011Kia Optima / Magentis (MS)
2005–2010Kia Optima / Magentis / Lotze (MG)
2010–2015Kia Optima / K5 (TF)
2015–2020Kia Optima (fourth generation)
2000MS debuts with Sonata underpinnings
2005MG arrives as Lotze and Magentis
2010TF: Peter Schreyer’s new direction
2011Hybrid: 64.55 mpg across 48 states
2014GTS manufacturers’ crown
2015Fourth generation: 50% stiffer
2016Sportswagon and Kia’s first plug-in
2018Europe gets two new 1.6-liter engines
2019K5 becomes the global name
  1. 2000

    MS debuts with Sonata underpinnings

    Shown in South Korea in July, the MS Optima was the first result of Hyundai–Kia platform integration, using the Sonata’s architecture.4

  2. 2005

    MG arrives as Lotze and Magentis

    The second generation launched in South Korea in November as the Kia Lotze; Magentis served most markets, with Optima retained in the US and Malaysia.4

  3. 2010

    TF: Peter Schreyer’s new direction

    The TF debuted in New York with Peter Schreyer’s new profile and Tiger Nose grille. K5 served South Korea and China; Optima replaced Magentis elsewhere.4

  4. 2011

    Hybrid: 64.55 mpg across 48 states

    Wayne Gerdes and Chris Bernius drove a stock 2011 Optima Hybrid over 7,899 miles through 48 adjoining US states for a Guinness fuel-economy record.5

  5. 2014

    GTS manufacturers’ crown

    Five wins and five poles helped Kinetic Motorsports/Kia Racing secure the GTS manufacturers’ crown with its Optima.67

  6. 2015

    Fourth generation: 50% stiffer

    More refinement came with a stronger, lighter shell: torsional rigidity rose 50%, while bodyshell weight fell 8.6 kg.1

  7. 2016

    Sportswagon and Kia’s first plug-in

    The Sportswagon debuted at Geneva; Europe also gained Kia’s first plug-in hybrid, whose 9.8 kWh battery gave over 54 km of electric range.89

  8. 2018

    Europe gets two new 1.6-liter engines

    A 1.6 CRDi replaced the 1.7 diesel, while a new 1.6 T-GDi gasoline option used a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.10

  9. 2019

    K5 becomes the global name

    Introduced in 2019, the fifth generation unified the family under the K5 badge worldwide.4

Every generation

  • Kia Concord
    Kia Concord1987–1995
  • Kia Credos / Clarus
    Kia Credos / Clarus1995–2001
  • Kia Optima / Magentis
    MS2000–2006; China 2004–2011
  • Kia Optima / Magentis / Lotze
    MG2005–2010
  • Kia Optima / K5
    TF2010–2015
  • Kia Optima (fourth generation)
    Kia Optima (fourth generation)2015–2020

Power over the years

From 170 hp to 274 hp in 10 years.

0100200300 2000200520102015 hp 2001 · 170 hp · SE V6: 2.5 L2006 · 161 hp · 2006.5 EX: 2.4 L, 5-speed auto2009 · 194 hp · EX/SX: 2.7 L V62011 · 206 hp · Hybrid: 2.4 L, 6-speed auto2011 · 274 hp · SX Turbo: 2.0 L2012 · 200 hp · EX: inline-four, 6-speed auto2016 · 178 hp · LX 1.6T: 7-speed dual-clutch2016 · 185 hp · 2.4 L: 6-speed automatic2016 · 245 hp · SX 2.0T: smaller turbo2017 · 202 hp · Plug-in Hybrid EX: system output2018 · 177 hp · Europe: 1.6 L T-GDi 274 hp SX Turbo: 2.0 L 170 hp SE V6: 2.5 L
23410111314151617
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2001170SE V6: 2.5 L
20061612006.5 EX: 2.4 L, 5-speed auto
2009194EX/SX: 2.7 L V6
2011206Hybrid: 2.4 L, 6-speed auto
2011274SX Turbo: 2.0 L
2012200EX: inline-four, 6-speed auto
2016178LX 1.6T: 7-speed dual-clutch
20161852.4 L: 6-speed automatic
2016245SX 2.0T: smaller turbo
2017202Plug-in Hybrid EX: system output
2018177Europe: 1.6 L T-GDi

Versions

12 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    New Optima

    2004–2005

  • LX / EX / SX

    Standard

    LX / EX / SX

    2009–2010

  • Si / SLi / Platinum (Australia)

    Standard

    Si / SLi / Platinum (Australia)

    2011–2015

  • Si / GT (Australia)

    Standard

    Si / GT (Australia)

    2015–2018

  • Sportswagon

    Standard

    Sportswagon

    2016

  • Plug-in Hybrid sedan / Sportswagon

    Standard

    Plug-in Hybrid sedan / Sportswagon

  • SX Turbo / EX Turbo

    Performance

    SX Turbo / EX Turbo

    2011

    274 hp
  • GT / GT Line (Europe)

    Performance

    GT / GT Line (Europe)

    2018

  • Optima Regal

    Special

    Optima Regal

    2002–2005

  • Special

    Lotze World Special

    2006

  • Special

    SX Limited (SXL)

    2013

    274 hp

  • Special

    Batman-themed SX Limited

How to spot one

Look for

  • Original Optima: crisp body creases and chrome around the side windows.3
  • Third generation: a chrome arc runs over the windows from the A-pillars to the C-pillars.424
  • Third generation: a cutout at the top of the windshield echoes the tiger-nose grille.24
  • Fourth generation: wraparound LED taillights have a halo-like light signature.1
  • Fourth generation: the rear quarter window kicks upward ahead of a raised trunk lid.1

Year by year

  1. 2001–2002, Korea

    2001: white side repeaters and chrome trunk strip. For 2002, new wheels, black headlamp bezels and white rear turn signals.12

  2. 2004–2005

    US grille gains a Kia badge for 2004; headlights change for 2005. Korean 2004 cars gain uppercase badges; Regal adds a horizontal grille and six-spoke alloys.412

  3. 2009

    Second-generation facelift: new front styling and taillights, plus the arrival of SX trim.415

  4. 2013 update / 2014 model

    Facelift brings a revised grille, LED daytime running lights in updated headlights, and small cabin changes.418

  5. Late 2015 / 2016 model

    Fourth generation: longer wraparound headlights meet the grille, while LED taillights adopt a halo pattern.111

  6. 2018, Europe

    New front bumper, lamps, wheels and bright-chrome grille; sedan rear bumper also changes. GT/GT Line add black trim and new 18-inch wheels.10

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Kia Optima
    Optima
    Photo of a Hyundai Sonata
    Hyundai Sonata

    Hyundai Sonata

    The original Optima has sharper creases and chrome-framed side windows; its Sonata twin is rounder despite shared doors, roof and windshield.3

Against its rivals

  • Mazda 6 V6

    Optima vs Mazda 6 V6

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    Optima6.4 s
    Mazda 6 V66.1 s
    2

  • Optima vs Honda Accord EX-L (2012)

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    Optima8 s
    Honda Accord EX-L (2012)8.2 s
    17

Prices

Value today $5.2K–$14.0K415

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$10K$20K$30K$40K 20052010201520202025 Value today: $5,200–$14,000 2006 · $16,955 · US base, LX manual (2006.5)2006 · $22,895 · US EX as tested (2006.5)2011 · $26,690 · US base, SX Turbo2012 · $23,950 · US base, EX2013 · $35,275 · US base, SX Limited2016 · $30,515 · US base, SX 2.0T2017 · $23,095 · US base, LX2017 · $36,105 · US base, Plug-In Hybrid EX 2011 · $35,220 · 2011 Optima, Blake Griffin dunk-contest car, Charity auction $35.2K Charity auction, 2011
2111314172229
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2006Price when new$16,955US base, LX manual (2006.5)
2006Price when new$22,895US EX as tested (2006.5)
2011Price when new$26,690US base, SX Turbo
2012Price when new$23,950US base, EX
2013Price when new$35,275US base, SX Limited
2016Price when new$30,515US base, SX 2.0T
2017Price when new$23,095US base, LX
2017Price when new$36,105US base, Plug-In Hybrid EX
2011Auction sale$35,2202011 Optima, Blake Griffin dunk-contest car, Charity auction
2026Value today$5,200–$14,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 12 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 11 stories from its legend
    • “64.55 US mpg through all 48 adjoining states”
    • “Schreyer's family face earns a design award”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 6 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 29 sources
  1. Optima prod2-press.kia.com
  2. Tested: 2011 Kia Optima SX Turbo caranddriver.com
  3. Kia Optima SE V-6 caranddriver.com
  4. Kia K5 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  5. Kia Optima Hybrid sets new Guinness World Record for fuel economy - Korea Newswire koreanewswire.co.kr
  6. Jonsson: “We’re Looking Forward to Great Battles in GTS Next Year” – Sportscar365 sportscar365.com
  7. Kia Optima - iRacing.com | iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations iracing.com
  8. Style and space for the all-new Kia Optima Sportswagon, making its global debut at Geneva Motor Show preprod2-press.kia.com
  9. Optima Plug-in Hybrid: the next step in Kia’s ‘green’ car revolution preprod2-press.kia.com
  10. New powertrains and fresh design for Kia Optima prod2-press.kia.com
  11. Tested: 2017 Kia Optima caranddriver.com
  12. 기아 옵티마 - 위키백과, 우리 모두의 백과사전 ko.wikipedia.org
  13. 2006.5 Kia Optima EX caranddriver.com
  14. Tested: Refined 2016 Kia Optima 2.0T caranddriver.com
  15. 2007-10 Kia Optima | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  16. 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid Drive – Review – Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  17. Six Family Sedans of 2012-2013 Compared! caranddriver.com
  18. Used Kia Optima review - ReDriven redriven.com
  19. Kia Optima 2015-2018 used car review | RACV racv.com.au
  20. Kia Optima Sportswagon Plug-in Hybrid classe ed eleganza in versione plug-in press.kia.com
  21. 기아 로체 - 위키백과, 우리 모두의 백과사전 ko.wikipedia.org
  22. Kia Motors' Range-Topping Optima SX Limited Arrives In Dealerships prnewswire.com
  23. Kia reveals Batman-themed Optima topgear.com.ph
  24. Optima prod2-press.kia.com
  25. Kia Concord - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  26. Kia Credos - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  27. Used Kia Optima review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  28. Red Dot Design Award: Kia Optima red-dot.org
  29. The Decade-long Odyssey of Blake Griffin’s Dunk-Contest Kia - The Ringer theringer.com
  • prod2-press.kia.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • koreanewswire.co.kr
  • sportscar365.com
  • iracing.com
  • preprod2-press.kia.com
  • ko.wikipedia.org
  • consumerguide.com
  • redriven.com
  • racv.com.au
  • press.kia.com
  • prnewswire.com
  • topgear.com.ph

Photo credits

Other car files