Kia Optima Trunk Space — 16 cu ft and What Fits

Quick answer

Among 178 sedans and coupes with a similar-sized cabin, the average is 14.9 cu ft, so the Optima sits above it.

What actually fits in a Optima

The trunk grew from 13 cu ft in 2001 to 16 cu ft in 2020.

FIG.01·Kia Optima — what fits in the trunk
What you are loading	How many fit	Each item
Checked suitcases	2	27 × 21 × 14″ — 4.6 cu ft
Carry-on cases	8	22 × 14 × 9″ — 1.6 cu ft
Grocery bags	12	about 1 cu ft each
Golf bags	2	full set, about 5 cu ft
Folded stroller	Fits	about 6 cu ft

ROWS 5·SOURCE ForCar, computed from EPA cargo volume

Cabin or cargo — where the space went

FIG.02·Kia Optima — cabin versus cargo
Space	Volume	Share of total
Passenger cabin	106 cu ft	86.9%
Cargo area	16 cu ft	13.1%
Total interior	122 cu ft	100%

ROWS 3·SOURCE EPA interior volume

Against cars with a similar cabin

FIG.03·Kia Optima against similar cars
Measure	This car	178 sedans and coupes with a similar cabin	Difference
Cargo volume	16 cu ft	14.9 cu ft	+1.1 cu ft
In checked suitcases	2	2	+0

ROWS 2·SOURCE ForCar, computed across cars of similar cabin size

Cars with the same room

Against its closest rivals: the Cadillac CTS has 13 cu ft, the Ford Fusion 16 cu ft and the Nissan Maxima 14 cu ft, next to 16 cu ft for the Optima.

FIG.04·Kia Optima — cars with the same cargo room
Car	Trunk volume	vs Kia Optima	Checked suitcases	Measured
Mercedes-Benz 300	16 cu ft	0 cu ft	2	2023
Toyota Avalon	16 cu ft	0 cu ft	2	2022
Hyundai Azera	16 cu ft	0 cu ft	2	2017
Kia Cadenza	16 cu ft	0 cu ft	2	2020
Honda Clarity	16 cu ft	0 cu ft	2	2021
Hyundai Equus	16 cu ft	0 cu ft	2	2016

ROWS 6·SOURCE EPA interior volume + ForCar

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Everything on the Kia Optima

Recalls67 campaigns Fuel economy42 mpg best Reliability4.5/5 Common problems7,531 complaints Check a VINAgainst this exact build DimensionsSize, weight, generations Used prices3,007 listings What yours is worthValue by year & mileage Insurance costEstimated per year Window stickerOriginal Monroney label Decode a VINWhat each character means About this car2001–2020

Frequently asked questions

How much cargo space does the Kia Optima have?

16 cu ft in the trunk in the 2020 model, with 106 cu ft of passenger space. The average for 178 sedans and coupes with a similar cabin is 14.9 cu ft.

Does the Optima have more cargo space than the Cadillac CTS?

Yes: 16 cu ft against 13 cu ft for the 2019 Cadillac CTS, about 3 cu ft more.

Has the Optima's trunk got bigger over the years?

Yes: from 13 cu ft in 2001 to 16 cu ft in 2020.

Which cars have the same cargo room as the Optima?

The closest by volume in the same body family are the Mercedes-Benz 300 (16 cu ft), Toyota Avalon (16 cu ft) and Hyundai Azera (16 cu ft), against 16 cu ft for the Optima.

Cargo and passenger volumes from EPA interior-volume records, measured 2020 for the Kia Optima, seats up. Luggage capacity computed by ForCar at 80% usable volume against airline-standard case sizes (how we count). Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.

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