Every car owner wants it; They want to buy a car and find out that it has loads of value for resale or trade when it is time to move on. Some cars do it better than others, and the Kia Optima recently topped the list of vehicles with the highest resale and trade value. So, if you have a Kia Optima, should you be rushing out to sell it or trade it? 

Is the Kia Optima a good car? 

The Kia Optima is an affordable midsize sedan with good safety ratings and a generous complement of standard features. However, not every model year is created equal. Specifically, in the most recent years of Optima, the 2019 Kia Optima gets the worst owner satisfaction scores by a large margin. Owners report dissatisfaction with the driving experience, comfort, and value. Furthermore, the 2019 Ford Fusion, 2019 Honda Accord, and 2019 Hyundai Sonata were all reportedly much more satisfying to own. 

However, unlike the 2019 model, the 2020 and 2018 Optima have higher customer satisfaction figures. Furthermore, Consumer Reports found the recent Kia Optimas to offer easy-to-use technology and a spacious interior. Finally, although the Optima has below-average fuel economy for the segment, it does offer a hybrid version.  

Which years of Kia Optima have the highest resale and trade value? 

The 2018, 2019, and 2020 Optimas are the best in the highest resale and trade value. These model years recently tied the Tesla Model 3 as one of the cars with the highest value compared to 2019. Specifically, owners who opt to sell or trade-in can expect to get upwards of 12% more than three years ago. So Kia Optima drivers who can manage it might consider cashing in on the market.

Which cars are better than the Kia Optima? 

Kia Optima owners looking to make a lateral move might consider a recent Toyota Camry, like a 2021 model year. The 2021 Toyota Camry is recommended by Consumer Reports and has a much higher overall owner satisfaction rating. Also, the Camry is a green choice vehicle with a respectable combined fuel economy rating of 32 mpg. Also, both cars are on the list of cars with the highest resale and trade value.

Should I sell or trade in my car right now? Should you take advantage of the high resale value? 

Although it might be tempting to trade your Kia Optima in for a new car, you might want to consider a few things. First, if you don’t have a second vehicle, selling your Kia might be inconvenient. Next, you might want to make sure that the car you want to replace it with is available. New cars are a hot commodity, given the inventory shortages and supply chain issues.

Finally, just because you’re getting more from your trade doesn’t mean that your target vehicle won’t also cost more. Make sure you can afford what you want to trade into or buy. Scroll down to the following article to read more about other cars with the highest resale and trade value.