carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $21,141–$27,242 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2016 Kia Optima S is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.3/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.2/10, while Technology at 6.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.8/10 for reliability, this sedan trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 8.2/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.2/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. Technology scores 6.5/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $21,141–$27,242, 22 MPG, seating 5, the Kia Optima S sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. Its value score of 8.2/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2016 Kia Optima S sits in the middle of the field. Until its reliability and technology scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2016 Kia Optima S ranks #802 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 39% of the segment. Its 7.3/10 overall score is 0.2 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $21,141 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 24%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the Optima S model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 7.4/10 | $24,480 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.5/10 | $23,645 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.3/10 | $22,810 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.3/10 | $21,976 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 7.3/10 | $21,141 | |
| 2015 | 7.2/10 | $20,306 | Read review → |
Explore the full lineup of Kia models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.