What's New For the 2020 Kia Optima?

Now in its fourth generation of production, the Kia Optima remains a popular choice in its class, which is primarily due to its attractive styling and ride quality. Kia continues to produce a quality vehicle that stands the test of time. Receiving minor changes for 2020, the Optima continues its legacy as a top contender for its body style.

2020 Optima Trims & Features

The 2020 Kia Optima is available in five trim levels: LX, S, EX, EX Premium, and SX. Two cloth-covered seats accommodate up to five people. At the front is an 8-way manually adjustable driver seat with power lumbar support, as well as a 6-way manually adjustable passenger seat.

At the S trim level, Kia introduces steering-wheel leather wrapping and 10-way power adjustability on the driver's seat, and it is the only model with sporty black cloth seat trim with leatherette bolsters. Leather seat trim and front-seat heating are introduced at the EX trim level. Upgrading to the EX Premium provides steering-wheel and front-seat heating, a leatherette-treated instrument panel with silver stitching, and 12-way power adjustability with 4-way power lumbar support on the driver's seat.

Unique to the SX trim are a driver-side memory system and a sports-style seat trim and steering wheel. Standard comfort and convenience features include cruise control, remote keyless entry, a 3.5-inch TFT LCD meter display, Bluetooth audio streaming and hands-free phone calling, Siri Eyes Free, six-speaker audio with AM/FM radio and MP3 playback ability, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, a USB port and an auxiliary jack, and an 8-inch touchscreen display. A smart key system with push-button engine start appears on the S trim and higher.

The EX trim level is where Kia introduces dual-zone automatic climate control, auto-dimming ability on the rearview mirror, wireless phone charging ability, UVO infotainment integration, and SiriusXM satellite radio service. At the EX Premium trim level, the six-speaker setup gives way to a 10-speaker 630-watt Harman Kardon QuantumLogic surround-sound system. Only the SX has a 4.3-inch TFT color LCD (in place of the 3.5-inch) and steering-wheel paddle shifters.

2020 Kia Optima Horsepower

Under the hood of the LX and S trims of the 2020 Kia Optima is a 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine that produces 185 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. A leaner 1.6-liter turbocharged I4-which produces 178 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque and is hitched to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission-powers the EX and EX Premium trim. Only the SX has a turbocharged 2.0-liter I4 with 245 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Like the LX and S, the SX has a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

Kia Optima Safety

Driver-assistance tech on the 2020 Kia Optima consists of blind spot collision warning, driver attention warning, forward collision warning, forward collision-avoidance assistance with pedestrian detection, lane change assist, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, reverse parking distance warning, rear cross-traffic collision warning, and smart cruise control with stop-and-go technology.

Other standard safety features include high beam assist, traction control, LED daytime running lights, a rearview camera, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, seven airbags, and a hill start assist control. Upper-level trims are more likely to have additions or enhancements such as low beam assist and engine immobilization for theft deterrence.

Ready to try out the 2020 Kia Optima? Call us today at our dealership in Houston, Texas, today to set up an appointment with one of our Kia sales specialists.