A 2015 Kia Optima still asks 60% of what a 2020 one does — that's how much value it holds after 5 years. Among 82 sedans we price, that ranks #26, above the 54% class median. The steepest single-year drop comes at year 2 (−25%), after which losses ease to about 13.6% a year. Mileage costs it 48%: the same car reads 100k–150k instead of Under 40k miles. Calculated from 483 listings.
Kia Optima value by year
The newest Optima at under half the 2020 price is the 2012, with a median asking price of $4,350 (43% of it). A 2020 and a 2019 ask almost the same, $10,200 against $9,995, so the newer year costs next to nothing extra.
| Year | Trade-in | Median | Dealer | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $7,200 | $14,950 | 36 | |
| 2019 | $7,500 | $13,399 | 43 | |
| 2018 | $5,550 | $11,292 | 43 | |
| 2017 | $2,800 | $10,600 | 14 | |
| 2016 | $3,600 | $9,995 | 64 | |
| 2015 | $3,800 | $9,811 | 68 | |
| 2014 | $2,500 | $8,500 | 39 | |
| 2013 | $2,200 | $8,800 | 75 | |
| 2012 | $2,600 | $5,900 | 24 | |
| 2011 | $2,600 | $5,900 | 22 | |
| 2010 | $1,600 | $6,499 | 11 | |
| 2009 | $1,500 | $5,995 | 8 | |
| 2008 | $2,900 | $6,999 | 6 | |
| 2007 | $2,200 | $3,150 | 3 | |
| 2006 | $1,200 | $6,995 | 8 | |
| 2005 | $2,000 | $6,000 | 5 | |
| 2004 | $1,500 | $3,470 | 5 | |
| 2003 | $1,700 | $2,990 | 4 | |
| 2002 | $2,300 | $2,500 | 5 |
How the Kia Optima depreciates
The newest Kia Optima has a median asking price of $10,200; a 18-year-older one runs about $2,300 — roughly 77% lost over 18 years (compare the typical depreciation curve by age).
Does the Kia Optima hold value better than its rivals?
Over the same 5 years the Toyota Camry keeps 55%, the Honda Accord 67% and the Toyota Prius 69%, against 60% for the Optima. The Optima holds value better than the Toyota Camry, but not the Honda Accord and Toyota Prius.
The Kia Optima market right now
Adjust your Kia Optima value for mileage
Crossing 100k miles costs a Kia Optima about 48% of its under-40k asking price:
Trade-in, private-party & dealer price
For a 2020 Kia Optima: a dealer trade-in offer is around $7,200, selling private-party nets about $10,200, and a lot asks near $14,950 — a $7,750 spread on the same car.
What sellers really ask, from our own listings: for the same model year, the Optima costs a median 29% more from a dealer than from a private seller, across the 8 recent model years with enough of both. Title, state and mileage effects are on the Kia Optima price page.
| Model year | Private seller (listings) | Dealer (listings) | Dealer vs private |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $8,400 (29) | $11,200 (72) | +33% |
| 2019 | $8,225 (52) | $10,054 (90) | +22% |
| 2018 | $6,500 (41) | $8,500 (67) | +31% |
| 2017 | $6,175 (36) | $8,950 (45) | +45% |
Stop guessing at a price range.
- The exact number, not a $4,000 spread
- Market chart: where this model's price is heading
- Price-drop alerts when the model you want gets cheaper
- Full research report as a PDF
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Get an exact Kia Optima value by VIN
More on the Kia Optima
Kia Optima value FAQ
How much is a Kia Optima worth?
It depends mostly on the model year: in our listings the median asking price runs from $2,000 to $10,200 across 19 model years. A 2020 is worth about $10,200, the median of 36 listings.
How much does mileage cut a Kia Optima's value?
Among Optimas from the last eight model years, those with under 40,000 miles ask a median $12,650, and those with over 150,000 miles ask $4,363; crossing 100,000 miles alone costs about 48%.
Which Kia Optima year is the best value?
The newest Optima at under half the 2020 price is the 2012, with a median asking price of $4,350 (43% of it). A 2020 and a 2019 ask almost the same, $10,200 against $9,995, so the newer year costs next to nothing extra.
Is a Kia Optima cheaper from a dealer or a private seller?
Usually from a private seller: for the same model year, dealers ask a median 29% more, across 8 recent model years in our listings.
Does the Optima hold value better than the Toyota Camry?
Yes: over 5 years the Optima keeps 60% of its value and the Toyota Camry 55%, by the median asking prices of the 2020 and 2015 model years.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.