Used Kia Optima Prices — What Moves the Number

Quick answer

For the same model year, dealers ask 22 points more than private sellers; a salvage title knocks off about 10%; GA is the cheapest state at -13% and CO the priciest at +23%; a hybrid Optima asks +6% against the median of its model year.

Kia Optima price by model year

FIG.01·Kia Optima prices by model year
Year	Typical price	Spread	Listings
2020	$10,600	2×	42
2019	$9,998	1.9×	47
2018	$7,495	2×	42
2017	$6,400	—	19
2016	$6,850	2.2×	50
2015	$6,500	2.5×	66
2014	$5,400	3.2×	34
2013	$5,500	3.9×	71
2012	$3,800	—	22
2011	$4,499	—	21
2010	$2,950	—	8
2008	$4,200	—	8
2006	$2,900	—	8
2002	$2,300	—	5

ROWS 14·SOURCE Live classified listings

For the 2016 model year, the Kia Optima has a median asking price of $6,850; the Ford Fusion asks $6,000 and the Buick LaCrosse $9,999. Only the Buick LaCrosse asks more.

Dealer or private seller

On the Kia Optima the dealer markup works out at 22% over a private sale of the same year.

FIG.02·Kia Optima — dealer versus private
Seller	Listings	vs median year	Average asked
Dealer	723	+10.6%	$7,449
Private seller	627	-11.4%	$5,428

ROWS 2·SOURCE Live listings, normalized per model year

What a branded title costs

FIG.03·Kia Optima — price by title status
Title	Listings	vs median year	Average asked
Clean title	1,198	+1.5%	$6,554
Rebuilt	69	-5.8%	$6,793
Salvage	34	-9.5%	$5,371

ROWS 3·SOURCE Live listings, normalized per model year

Branded titles are harder to insure, finance and resell, so check the exact car first: run its VIN against the records.

How fast price falls with mileage

Measured on the 2015 Optima, the model year with the most listings, so age does not mix in. Between the 50–75k and 175–200k bands the asking price falls 39%.

FIG.04·Kia Optima — price by mileage
Mileage	Price drop	Listings
50–75k miles	baseline	15
75–100k miles	+19%	34
100–125k miles	−1%	62
125–150k miles	−20%	52
150–175k miles	−36%	23
175–200k miles	−39%	20

ROWS 6·SOURCE Live listings, 2015 model year only

Which options hold value

The single biggest swing on a Kia Optima is fuel: HYBRID asks +6% against the median of its own model year.

FIG.05·Kia Optima — what options are worth
Item	Option	Listings	vs median year
Fuel	Hybrid	58	+5.7%
Fuel	Gas	1,241	+0.1%

ROWS 2·SOURCE Live listings, normalized per model year

Where it's cheaper

States where the Kia Optima asks least and most, measured against the national median for each model year. Most expensive is CO at +23%, cheapest GA at -13% — 37 points apart, which on a $6,300 car is roughly $2,300.

FIG.06·Kia Optima — cheapest and priciest states
State	Listings	vs national median
GA	40	-13.2%
FL	162	-12.7%
TX	88	-7.8%
NC	46	-0.9%
MO	57	+1.3%
MN	33	+15.5%
AZ	61	+20.5%
WI	36	+22.0%
WA	93	+22.7%
CO	46	+23.3%

ROWS 10·SOURCE Live listings, normalized per model year

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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 Cargo space16 cu ft 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 does a used Kia Optima cost?

The median asking price is $6,300 across 1,563 live listings. A 2002 asks about $2,300 and a 2020 about $10,600. The most listed year is 2013, at $5,500.

Is a used Optima cheaper than a Ford Fusion?

No. For the 2016 model year the Optima has a median asking price of $6,850 and the Ford Fusion $6,000, so the Optima asks 14% more.

Is it cheaper to buy a Optima from a private seller?

Yes. Against the median for the same model year, dealers ask 10.6% above and private sellers 11.4% below, a gap of about $2,332 on a 2020 at $10,600.

How much value does a Optima lose per 25,000 miles?

About 9% of the asking price for every 25,000 miles on the 2015 Optima, measured from the 50–75k band to the 175–200k band. To price one car by its year and mileage, use the Kia Optima valuation tool.

How much less is a salvage-title Optima worth?

A salvage-title Optima asks 10% less than the median for its model year (34 listings): about $1,007 off a 2020 at $10,600.

Where is the cheapest place to buy a Optima?

Of the states with enough listings, GA asks least at -13.2% against the national median, and CO most at +23.3%. On the typical $6,300 Optima that spread is about $2,300.

Why do Optima prices for the same year vary so much?

Among 71 listings of the 2013 Optima, the priciest tenth asks 3.9× what the cheapest tenth does: $8,995 against $2,300.

Asking prices from live classified listings, normalized against the median for each model year. Slices below a minimum listing count are omitted. Asking prices exceed transaction prices (how we count). Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.

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