2016 Kia Optima LX
All photo credits
- Photo: 2016 Kia Optima LX Plus in Snow White Pearl, front left, 2024-09-06 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Kia K5 JF FL black (1) by Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Kia K5 JF white (1) by Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2016 Kia Optima LX Plus in Snow White Pearl, rear left, 2024-09-06 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Kia Optima (JF) Interior by Milhouse35, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2016 Kia Optima LX is a 185-hp inline-4 with a 6-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $22,140 MSRP and is rated at 29 mpg combined.
It makes 185 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 178 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 25 mpg city and 36 mpg highway (29 mpg combined).
The Optima measures 191.1 inches long on a 110.4-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,219 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Sedan |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $22,140 ($29,981 *) |
| MSRP with Destination | $22,990 ($31,132 *) |
| Destination Charge | $850 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | Theta II G4KJ 2.4L GDI DOHC inline-4, Dual-CVVT, naturally aspirated |
| Horsepower | 185 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Valvetrain | DOHC 16-valve with Dual-CVVT |
| Bore and Stroke | 88.0 x 97.0 |
| Compression Ratio | 11.3:1 |
| Injection Type | Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| 1st Gear | 4.212 |
| 2nd Gear | 2.637 |
| 3rd Gear | 1.8 |
| 4th Gear | 1.386 |
| 5th Gear | 1 |
| 6th Gear | 0.772 |
| Reverse | 3.385 |
| Final Drive | 2.885 |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 25 MPG |
| Highway | 36 MPG |
| Combined | 29 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular unleaded |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | Independent, MacPherson strut, coil springs, anti-roll bar |
| Rear Suspension | Independent, multi-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar |
| Turning Diameter | 35.8 ft |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 16 in |
| Wheels Rear | 16 in |
| Tires Front | 205/65R16 |
| Tires Rear | 205/65R16 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 191.1 in |
| Width | 73.2 in |
| Height | 57.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 110.4 in |
| Front Track | 63.1 in |
| Rear Track | 63.4 in |
| Ground Clearance | 5.3 in |
| Cargo Volume | 15.9 ft³ |
| Curb Weight | 3,219 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 39.8 in |
| Headroom Rear | 37.8 in |
| Legroom Front | 45.5 in |
| Legroom Rear | 35.6 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 58.1 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 56.4 in |
| Hip Room Front | 56 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 56 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2016 Kia Optima LX with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ (9.8 % risk) |
Recalls
5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2016 Kia OPTIMA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Aug 24, 2023 · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC278.
NHTSA campaign 23V594000
Dec 19, 2018 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
NHTSA campaign 18V907000
Jan 6, 2017 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Kia Motors America (Kia) has recalled one 2016 Optima vehicle. In this vehicle, the end seal for the driver's frontal air bag inflator may not have been properly installed, possibly resulting in reduced inflation of the frontal air bag in the event of a crash.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: The affected vehicle was remedied on January 10, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC143.
NHTSA campaign 17V007000
Oct 3, 2016 · POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 13, 2015, to April 23, 2016 and equipped with a 2.4l engine. The right front axle driveshaft may crack and fail.
Consequence: If the driveshaft cracks and separates from the vehicle, it will not be able to move forward. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied upon exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll. Either scenario can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC139.
NHTSA campaign 16V705000
Apr 21, 2016 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 10, 2015, to February 12, 2016. In these vehicles, a chemical enhancer required for the for the second stage deployment of the driver's frontal air bag was not loaded, resulting in the second stage not deploying in necessitating crashes.
Consequence: If the second stage air bag does not deploy it increases the risk of injury or death.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 6, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC131.
NHTSA campaign 16V231000
760 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2016 Kia OPTIMA
Owner Complaints
760 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Kia OPTIMA (27 mention a crash, 20 a fire, 17 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Engine | 426 |
| Unknown Or Other | 121 |
| Electrical System | 104 |
| Power Train | 74 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 53 |
| Exterior Lighting | 47 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2016 KIA OPTIMA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.