“Love the car. I feel that the sound system should have been better and the material on the seats easier to clean.”
2019 Kia Optima: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2019 Kia Optima is a mid-cycle refresh for gasoline models, led by much broader standard driver-assistance features. Gas models also get updated styling and infotainment, while the Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid receive added standard equipment.
About the 2019 Kia Optima
4th generation (2016-2020), mid-cycle refresh year for the gasoline Optima; Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid stay in the same generation with equipment and safety updates.
The 2019 Optima is Kia’s style-forward midsize sedan for shoppers who want a lot of technology and safety without moving into a luxury brand. Even the lower trims emphasize a big touchscreen and driver-assistance features, while higher trims add turbo power or electrified efficiency without giving up everyday comfort. The Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid versions extend the same sedan formula to buyers who want lower fuel use or short electric-only driving.
The 2019 Optima ranges from the straightforward LX to the sportier-looking S, the more upscale EX, and the performance-focused SX. The EX adds leather, heated front seats, and dual-zone climate control, while the SX pairs a 2.0-liter turbo engine and sport-tuned suspension with navigation, premium audio, and heated and ventilated front seats. Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid versions emphasize efficiency while retaining the EX trim’s comfort and technology.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
The gasoline EX replaces its previous 2.4-liter engine and 6-speed automatic with a 1.6-liter turbo engine and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. The LX Turbo is dropped, and SX Turbo continues under the shorter SX name.
Styling
Gasoline models receive revised front and rear styling and new wheel designs. The S gains a stronger sport appearance with fog lights, LED taillights, dual exhaust, gloss-black trim, and 18-inch wheels.
Safety
Every 2019 Optima variant has blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and reverse parking alerts. Gas models add a broader standard suite that includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, lane-departure warning, high-beam assist, and driver-attention warning; the SX also gains adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go operation.
Tech
Gas models receive a revised infotainment lineup. The LX and S have an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the SX has an 8-inch navigation touchscreen and a Harman Kardon 10-speaker audio system.
Trim lineup
The Hybrid’s former Premium and EX offerings are consolidated into one better-equipped EX trim. The Premium trim is dropped, the LX Turbo leaves the lineup, and SX Turbo is renamed SX.
2019 Kia Optima specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.6 Liter / 4-Cyl, Hybrid, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 6-Spd w/H-Matic | Automatic, 7-Spd Dual-Clutch w/H-Matic / Automatic, 6-Spd w/H-Matic | Automatic, 6-Spd w/H-Matic | Automatic, 6-Spd w/H-Matic |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas / Plug-In Hybrid / Hybrid | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 24 mpg | 27–39 mpg | 24 mpg | 21 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 33 mpg | 37–45 mpg | 33 mpg | 30 mpg |
| Horsepower | 185 hp | 178–202 hp | 185 hp | 245 hp |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft | 140–195 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 15.9 cu-ft | 9.9–15.9 cu-ft | 15.9 cu-ft | 15.9 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 35.6 in | 35.6 in | 35.6 in | 35.6 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Electric Range | 29 (Plug-In Hybrid) | |||
| MPGe Combined | 101 (Plug-In Hybrid) | |||
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||
| Alarm System | ||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||||
| Automatic Leveling Headlights | ||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||
| 360 Camera | ||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||
| Fog Lights | ||||
| LED Headlights | ||||
| LED Tail Lights | ||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | ||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | ||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | ||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||
| Remote Control Liftgate/Trunk Release | ||||
| LCD Instrument Cluster | ||||
| Navigation System | ||||
| Premium Audio | ||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||
| Subwoofer | ||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | ||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||
| Folding Rear Seat | ||||
| Rear Air Conditioning | ||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||
| Heated Rear Seats | ||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | ||||
| Leather Seats | ||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | ||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||
| Power Steering | ||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||
| Rear Window Shades | ||||
| Remote Start | ||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest difference between the 2019 and 2018 Kia Optima?
The biggest difference is that the 2019 gasoline Optima receives a mid-cycle update with refreshed styling, revised infotainment, and a much broader set of standard driver-assistance features.
Did the 2019 Kia Optima EX get a different engine?
Yes. The 2019 gasoline Optima EX replaces the previous 2.4-liter engine and 6-speed automatic with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic.
What safety features became standard on the 2019 Kia Optima?
Gasoline 2019 Optimas gained a broader standard safety suite with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, lane-departure warning, high-beam assist, and driver-attention warning. Blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and reverse parking alerts are standard across the wider Optima family.
Did the 2019 Kia Optima trim lineup change?
Yes. The LX Turbo is dropped, SX Turbo continues as SX, and the Hybrid’s previous Premium and EX trims are consolidated into one better-equipped EX model.
Is the 2019 Kia Optima meaningfully different from the 2018 model?
Yes, especially in gasoline form. The 2019 model is the stronger choice for shoppers who value newer exterior details, updated infotainment, and more driver-assistance features as standard; the Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid changes are mainly equipment and safety updates.
2019 Kia Optima Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2019 Kia Optima.
4.1
2019 Kia Optima
(137 reviews)
“Great gas mileage, sits comfortable, has more tech than i use on the average trip. Was very surprised at how much room was in interior as well at the trunk. The cup holder could be slightly deeper.”
“It is a wonderful car. Great value for the price. Makes you happy whenever you get in it.”
Sources
- kiamedia.com — Models / Optima / 2019
- kiamedia.com — Optima Hybrid / 2019 / Whatsnew
- kiamedia.com — Optima Phev / 2019 / Whatsnew
- kiamedia.com — Optima / 2020 / Whatsnew
- kiamedia.com — Optima Hybrid / 2020 / Whatsnew
- kiamedia.com — Optima Phev / 2020 / Whatsnew
- kiamedia.com — Optima / 2019 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Optima Hybrid / 2019 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Optima Phev / 2019 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Models / Optima Hybrid / 2019
- kiamedia.com — Documenttext / 14265 / 2019 Kia Optima Phev Overview