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
4.6
(73 reviews)
93% of drivers recommend this car
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
- Comfort 4.9
- Interior 4.8
- Performance 4.5
- Value 4.6
- Exterior 4.9
- Reliability 4.7
Most recent consumer reviews
I wish I could give 0 stars in reliability I've owned
May 7, 2024
By Haley
Owns this car
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
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful.Did you?
1.0
2020 Kia Optima EX. Still not fixed!!!
February 9, 2024
By I bought the car with less Ethan 2,000 miles. Needed a new car. Female and frustrated. from Palm Coast, FL
Owns this car
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
0 people out of 2 found this review helpful.Did you?
4.0
Great car for the money.
December 18, 2023
By Bryan G from Los Angeles
Owns this car
164,000 miles no issues. Car services me well. The oil usage is slight. I would get another, but KIA doesn't make them anymore. My commute is about 1 hr one way.
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
- Comfort 5.0
- Interior 5.0
- Performance 5.0
- Value 4.0
- Exterior 5.0
- Reliability 5.0
- Purchased a Used car
- Used for Commuting
- Does recommend this car
4 people out of 4 found this review helpful.Did you?
See all 73 consumer reviews
Safety
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings (scores out of 5)
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
Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?
