Lineups of Yesterday for a New Age: Used Kia Optima

Nowadays, if you’re shopping for a brand-new Kia Optima, sadly, you’ll be out of luck as they’ve been discontinued. However, just because the Optima has been rebranded into the new K5 vehicles that have been making headlines, this doesn’t mean the Optima doesn’t still hold a prominent place in the market. In actuality, the Optima is one of the very best pre-owned sedans that you can purchase today. The last model to be released before the lineup’s transformation was for the 2020 model year, and before that, there’s well over a decade of reliable and versatile automobiles to select from. You’ll find lineups such as the Optima, and many others, at Allentown Kia, your quintessential Bethlehem pre-owned Kia dealer.

Because of the recent transition, the last Optima model is still highly relevant and has a feature set to match. This model has finally begun reaching various pre-owned marketplaces as it’s no longer brand-new and has a successor in the form of the 2021 K5. Nevertheless, the 2020 Optima is one of the very best pre-owned vehicles that you can purchase today. However, that doesn’t mean that older model Optimas won’t make an excellent addition to your driveway.

Should you be looking to save extra money yet retain many of the sedan’s best qualities, then you can opt for an older model, too, such as the 2016 Optima, for example. Although both the 2020 and 2016 models were produced within the same generation of this classic lineup, they both display a host of differences. For example, you can opt for a plug-in hybrid variant of the Optima if you opt for any model made after the year 2017, including the 2020 model, whereas the 2016 Optima remains a gasoline-powered automobile. This is just one of the many ways a pre-owned Optima vehicle allows you to customize your shopping experience.

How Does the Kia Optima Perform?

The Optima has historically always provided decent performance with exceptional fuel-efficiency. This became even more true once hybrid variants were released; however, models such as the 2016 Optima managed to provide both performance and efficiency as well. Let’s say you opt for an older model, such as the 2016 Optima; your vehicle may be fitted with one of three powertrain configurations. One of these engines was your standard traditional gasoline engine, while the other two were turbocharged variants that allowed for high performance and ample fuel-efficiency.

Coming standard in the 2016 Optima was a basic 2.4L 4-cylinder that came paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. While this engine’s 185 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque isn’t the most powerful engine around, it provides enough performance for the average everyday commute, whether it’s heading to work or driving the kids to school. Because of its excellent fuel-efficiency, which is around 24 MPG city and 34 MPG highway, the Optima is a fantastic choice even for those long road trips.

As previously mentioned, there are two available turbocharged engines for the 2016 Optima. The first of these is a 1.6L 4-cylinder that produces 178 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. Unlike the base engine, this upgraded powertrain also includes a dual-clutch 7-speed automatic transmission that allows for far smoother gear shifting while accelerating. The decrease in horsepower is a minor disadvantage that’s immediately overshadowed by the far greater fuel-efficiency of this engine, along with an increase in torque output. With this engine equipped, your Optima will achieve a much greater 28 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway.

Lastly, the second available turbocharged engine is a far better choice for those looking to maximize their investment with the utmost horsepower and torque-output. This engine is a 2.0L 4-cylinder that produces 245 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, a stark increase in horsepower and torque output over the base engine. With this vast performance increase, however, its EPA-estimated ratings are slightly lower than its counterparts, with 22 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway.

Safety Features

Near the end of the Optima’s production cycle, it had adopted several advanced safety features that have since made their way over to the new K5 vehicles. A majority of these safety features began appearing on the Optima with the 2019 model year, which you can now find on the pre-owned market. Models before this were reliable, but as far as safety features go, it pales in comparison. This is largely thanks in part to the standard inclusion of the Advanced Driver Assistance System, which adds an assortment of enhancements that are designed to make your driving experience as safe as it can be.

Among these additions, you’ll find features such as Lane Keep Assist along with Lane Departure Warning. These two features are designed to improve freeway travel by helping you stay in your intended lane at all times. Both features work in tandem with Lane Departure Warning, ultimately being the system that will warn you if it detects that your vehicle has begun switching lanes to increase your awareness and response time. Lane Keep Assist then helps by adjusting your steering to correct your position on the road. With the help of another added feature, Kia’s Blind-Spot Collision Warning, you’ll essentially have an extra pair of eyes on the road and a much appreciated extra layer of visibility at all times. Although it’s worth mentioning that these features are merely assistive technologies, and you’ll still have to keep close attention at all times when on the road.

Another feature that comes as part of Kia’s Advanced Driver Assistance System includes Forward Collision Warning, which will provide you with an alert if the vehicle detects that you’re approaching another vehicle too quickly, thus allowing you to press on the brakes to avoid an accident. Sometimes, the average response time of a human just isn’t enough, and because of this, features such as Kia’s Forward Collision-Avoidance Assistant are present, applying even more pressure to the brakes in an attempt to prevent any collision from occurring. Lastly, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist is present as part of this safety package, which is the ultimate safety feature in events such as reversing out of a parking space, for example. This is because your vehicle will warn you if an obstruction such as a bypassing vehicle is in your way, proving to be an immensely useful tool.

Finding Your Pre-Owned Kia Optima

At Allentown Kia, you’ll find all of the fan-favorite lineups from this prestigious manufacturer, including newer lineups such as the venerable K5 and its predecessor, the Optima. With the help of our sales team, your dream vehicle is just moments away, and our staff is here to help you every step of the way. You’ll find our vehicles at competitive prices and an on-site service center with certified mechanics at the helm who are trained to provide exceptional service on time. Our dealership is one of the highest-rated Kia dealerships around. You can find us at 2350 Lehigh Street in Allentown, around the corner from Willy Joe’s Steak Shop and across from Redner’s Warehouse Market. We look forward to helping you find the Kia vehicle that you need.