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By KBB Editors
Updated December 23, 2019
If you’re looking for a fuel-efficient family sedan that isn’t easily lost in a crowded parking lot, the 2013 Kia Optima is it. Combining stunning styling with an affordable price and an unbeatable warranty, the 2013 Kia Optima goes beyond the basic family sedan in features, performance and resale value.
The 2013 Kia Optima’s styling may be a bit too over-the-top for some, and its sloping rear roof severely cuts into rear-seat headroom. Also, some of the Optima’s interior plastics still look and feel a bit hard.
For 2013, Kia has added a Limited model to the SX trim than includes Nappa leather seating, LED daytime running lights, red brake calipers and 18-inch chrome wheels. The manual transmission on the LX trim has been dropped, as has the turbo version of the EX.
The famous automotive leader Bob Lutz once said it costs as much to build an ugly car as it does a beautiful one. In the 2013 Kia Optima sedan, Mr. Lutz’s words have been proven spot on. Costing no more than a comparably-equipped Toyota Camry or Honda Accord, the Optima for 2013 outshines its competition with stunning good looks, compact car-like fuel economy, a great warranty and ever-improving resale figures. Add to the mix a panoramic sunroof and heated and cooling seats, and the Optima might appear to be the bargain of the century. Models range from the well-equipped entry LX to the luxurious EX to the fuel-efficient Hybrid. There’s even a high-performance turbo model that will shame some premium brands costing tens of thousands more.
Used 2013 Kia Optima pricing starts at $6,930 for the Optima LX Sedan 4D, which had a starting MSRP of $21,975 when new. The range-topping 2013 Optima Limited-SXL Sedan 4D starts at $9,150 today, originally priced from $35,300.
Original MSRP | KBB Fair Purchase Price (nat'l average) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
$21,975 | $6,930 | |||
$24,275 | $7,370 | |||
$26,675 | $7,462 | |||
$27,575 | $8,087 | |||
$32,725 | $8,536 | |||
$35,300 | $9,150 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for used 2013 Kia Optima models in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly.
After just a short time behind the wheel of the 2013 Kia Optima, we came away impressed, both by the car’s driving dynamics and its 2.4-liter 4-cyinder engine. Confident cornering aided by nicely-weighted steering encouraged us to push the Optima sedan hard, and the electronic traction and stability controls always intervened when we pushed a bit too hard. The naturally-aspirated 2.4-liter engine develops an impressive 200 horsepower. This gasoline direct-injection engine is smooth, powerful and able to deliver 35 highway miles on a single gallon of gasoline. Whether it was passing slow-moving traffic or climbing steep grades, the 2013 Kia Optima’s 4-cylinder engine never failed to impress us. There is also a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine for those who crave more power. Equally as smooth and quiet as the 2.4-liter engine, the 2.0 turbo pumps out 274 horsepower, but is mated to the same 6-speed Sportmatic manually-shifting automatic transmission.
On upper-end EX and SX trims, customers can opt for such extravagant features as a dual-panel moonroof, heated and cooling front seats, heated rear seats and a voice-activated navigation and infotainment system similar to Ford’s SYNC. While we love the look of the 2013 Kia Optima sedan’s interior, some of the plastic on the dash and steering wheel still lack the quality look and feel found in Honda, Mazda and even some GM and Ford products. The front seats are pretty comfortable for tall folks, but the Optima’s sharply-raked rear roofline may cause some headroom issues for the rear-seat passengers.
Looking a bit like something from the sci-fi movie Tron, the Kia’s 2013 Optima is a bold and original piece of work from the ground up. From its cross-hatch front grille and long sweptback headlight housing, to the weather-vane-style wheels on the SX trim, the Optima looks likes it’s going fast even when it’s parked. There is a duality about the Optima sedan for 2013, speaking to both luxury and performance all while masking its true nature to serve duty as a humble family sedan. Even base trims offer such nice features as heated side mirrors, chrome door-handle inserts and 16-inch wheels.
EXTERIOR STYLING
The 2013 Kia Optima sedan is one of the sportiest, most stylish mid-size sedans out there. We’d even put it up against the styling of some $40,000 European luxury brands.
TURBOCHARGED 2.0-LITER ENGINE
Who needs a V6 anyway? This four-cylinder engine has 274 horsepower and an EPA highway estimate of 34 mpg.
Every 2013 Kia Optima family sedan offers Bluetooth phone connectivity, iPod/USB audio connectivity, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and a cooling glove box that keeps drinks chilled. As for safety, the Optima has an impressive array of features including six airbags and electronic stability control. Like other base-priced models in its class, the entry-level Optima includes 16-inch steel wheels and a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Optional equipment highlights include a panoramic sunroof, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, Nappa leather seating, Infinity sound system, touch-screen navigation system, UVO infotainment voice-active system and rearview camera. In addition to a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, the top-of-the-line 2013 Kia Optima SX and SX Limited models offer a lightly sport-tuned suspension and more aggressive styling cues. The 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid features lightweight wheels in your choice of standard 16-inch or sporty 17-inchers, as well as the EcoMinder LCD panel with graphics and lighting that change to show when the car is achieving maximum fuel economy.
The 2013 Kia Optima sedan doesn’t offer the option of a V6, and why should it? The standard 2.4-liter 4-cylinder is nearly as powerful as some V6 engines and gets far better fuel economy. In fact, it has more power and better fuel economy than many other 4-cylinder cars in the category, as well. Those wanting more power can opt for the turbocharged 2.0 liter (SX trims only). Only one transmission is offered: A 6-speed Sportronic automatic with manual-shift mode. The Optima Hybrid uses the 2.4-liter engine mated to a 40-horsepower electric motor for a combined output of 206 horsepower.
2.4-liter inline-4 (LX and EX trims)
200 horsepower @ 6,300 rpm
192 horsepower @ 6,300 rpm (Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle)
186 lb-ft of torque @ 4,250 rpm
181 lb-ft of torque @ 4,250 rpm (Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/35 mpg
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (SX and SX Limited)
274 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
269 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/34 mpg
2.4-liter hybrid inline-4 + electric motor/generator (Hybrid)
166 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
40 horsepower @ 1,400-6,000 rpm (electric motor)
154 lb-ft of torque @ 4,250 rpm
152 lb-ft of torque @ 0-1,400 rpm (electric motor)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 35/40 mpg
Our Expert Ratings come from hours of both driving and number crunching to make sure that you choose the best car for you. We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. When all that dust settles, we have our ratings.
We require new ratings every time an all-new vehicle or a new generation of an existing vehicle comes out. Additionally, we reassess those ratings when a new-generation vehicle receives a mid-cycle refresh — basically, sprucing up a car in the middle of its product cycle (typically, around the 2-3 years mark) with a minor facelift, often with updates to features and technology.
Rather than pulling random numbers out of the air or off some meaningless checklist, KBB’s editors rank a vehicle to where it belongs in its class. Before any car earns its KBB rating, it must prove itself to be better (or worse) than the other cars it’s competing against as it tries to get you to spend your money buying or leasing.
Our editors drive and live with a given vehicle. We ask all the right questions about the interior, the exterior, the engine and powertrain, the ride and handling, the features, the comfort, and of course, about the price. Does it serve the purpose for which it was built? (Whether that purpose is commuting efficiently to and from work in the city, keeping your family safe, making you feel like you’ve made it to the top — or that you’re on your way — or making you feel like you’ve finally found just the right partner for your lifestyle.)
We take each vehicle we test through the mundane — parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading — as well as the essential — acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability.
Curb Weight | 3223 lbs. | ||
---|---|---|---|
EPA Passenger | 102.2 cu.ft. | ||
EPA Total Interior | 117.6 cu.ft. | ||
Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gallons | ||
Front Head Room | 40.0 inches | ||
Front Leg Room | 45.5 inches | ||
Max Seating Capacity | 5 | ||
Minimum Ground Clearance | 5.3 inches | ||
Overall Length | 190.7 inches | ||
Front Shoulder Room | 57.3 inches | ||
Trunk or Cargo Capacity | 15.4 cu.ft. | ||
Turning Diameter | 35.8 feet | ||
Wheel Base | 110.0 inches | ||
Width with mirrors | 72.1 inches |
Alloy Wheels | Available | ||
---|---|---|---|
Fog Lights | Available | ||
Number of Doors | 4 doors |
City | 24 mpg | ||
---|---|---|---|
Highway | 35 mpg | ||
Combined | 28 mpg |
Drivetrain | FWD | ||
---|---|---|---|
Transmission Type | Automatic | ||
6 speed | Available | ||
Recommended Fuel | Regular | ||
Hill Start Assist | Available |
Horsepower | 200 @ 6300 RPM | ||
---|---|---|---|
Torque | 186 @ 4250 rpm | ||
Engine | 4-Cyl, 2.4 Liter |
Basic | 5 years / 60000 miles | ||
---|---|---|---|
Powertrain | 5 years / 60000 miles | ||
Corrosion | 5 years / 100000 miles |
Used 2013 Kia Optima | Used 2015 Nissan Versa | Used 2016 Dodge Dart | Used 2013 Ford Fusion | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price | $7,377 | $6,655 | $6,740 | $6,699 | |
KBB.com Rating | 3.9 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 4.0 | |
Consumer Rating | 4.6 | 3.9 | 4.2 | 4.5 | |
Fuel Economy | City 24/Hwy 35/Comb 28 MPG | City 31/Hwy 40/Comb 35 MPG | City 22/Hwy 35/Comb 27 MPG | City 22/Hwy 34/Comb 26 MPG | |
Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | |
Safety Rating | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
Basic Warranty | 5 years or 60000 miles | 3 years or 36000 miles | 3 years or 36000 miles | 3 years or 36000 miles | |
Horsepower | 200 @ 6300 RPM | 109 @ 6000 RPM | 184 @ 6250 RPM | 170 HP | |
Engine | 4-Cyl, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, 1.6 Liter | 4-Cyl MltAr Tgrshrk 2.4L | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
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