2018 Kia Optima S
Unverified
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 2018 Kia Optima S is a 185-hp inline-4 with a 6-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $23,600 MSRP and is rated at 28 mpg combined.
It makes 185 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 178 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 24 mpg city and 34 mpg highway (28 mpg combined).
The Optima measures 191.1 inches long on a 110.4-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,362 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Sedan |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $23,600 |
| MSRP with Destination | $24,495 |
| Destination Charge | $895 |
| 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 | 24 MPG |
| Highway | 34 MPG |
| Combined | 28 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 | 17 in |
| Wheels Rear | 17 in |
| Tires Front | 215/55R17 |
| Tires Rear | 215/55R17 |
| 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 | 3,362 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 2018 Kia Optima S 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
2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2018 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
Mar 8, 2018 · HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Optima hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.
Consequence: If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install two newly designed Battery Management Systems (BMS) that contain Overvoltage Protection Devices (OPDs), free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC162.
NHTSA campaign 18V161000
232 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2018 Kia OPTIMA
Owner Complaints
232 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Kia OPTIMA (10 mention a crash, 10 a fire, 7 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Engine | 131 |
| Unknown Or Other | 37 |
| Electrical System | 33 |
| Power Train | 18 |
| Service Brakes | 17 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 14 |
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 2018 KIA OPTIMA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.