2016 Kia Optima  RealSafeCars76Safety Rating

#40 of 2016 Sedan/Hatchback/Wagons

#86 of all 2016 vehicles


The Optima, a mainstay of Kia's lineup since 2001, is a midsize sedan with seating up to 5. Strong on technology, it has offered Android Auto and Apple CarPlay since 2015. Exceeding the average MPG (miles per gallon) for its class, it reduces fuel costs and the carbon footprint. The Kia Optima packs some potency, exceeding the average horsepower for its class. Kia offers a 5-year, 60,000-mile basic warranty, and a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty on its lineup.


The 2016 Kia Optima is below average compared to all vehicles.

Comparison to all vehicles.  This plot shows RSC safety scores on the horizontal axis vs. the number of vehicles with each safety score (depicted by bar height and percentages at the bottom). Colors reflect vehicle safety, ranging from red (not that safe) to green (safer). For reference, a score of 0 implies a 0.15% chance of driver death (13% chance of driver injury) over 15 years, and a score of 100 reflects a 0.016% chance (1.4% chance of driver injury). The 2016 Kia Optima has a score of 76, implying a 0.047% chance of driver death (4.2% chance of injury). If equipped with optional advanced driver safety features, the chance of death falls to 0.041%, and the chance of injury falls to 3.6%.

We estimate that the 2016 Kia Optima has a vehicle lifetime fatality chance of 0.0474% and a vehicle lifetime injury chance of 5.4095%, meaning the average driver has a 0.0474% chance of dying in an accident if they drive the car under regular conditions for fifteen years, and a 5.4095% chance of being injured.

Compared to the average vehicle, the 2016 Kia Optima is 2% more likely to result in a fatal accident. Compared to other sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons, the 2016 Kia Optima is 6% less likely to result in a fatal accident.

2016 Kia Optima offers AEB optionally. With AEB, the vehicle lifetime fatality chance drops by 14%.


And it is about as safe as many comparable models.

8858Chevrolet MalibuHonda AccordNissan AltimaMazda 6Subaru LegacySubaru OutbackFord FusionChrysler 200Kia OptimaToyota CamryVolkswagen PassatHyundai SonataComparison to similar models.  This plot compares the RSC rating of the 2016 Kia Optima with its main competition. Models are plotted on a scale from 58 to 88. The 2016 Kia Optima is safer than the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, the 2016 Honda Accord, the 2016 Nissan Altima, and the 2016 Mazda 6 and less safe than the 2016 Ford Fusion, the 2016 Subaru Outback, and the 2016 Subaru Legacy.

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