Kia Optima vs Mazda 3
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Mazda 3
Overview
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Mazda 32.5 S |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | LX | 2.5 S |
| Body style | Sedan | Sedan |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2020 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Mazda 32.5 S |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $23,390 (best) | $24,550 |
| Lowest listing price | $10,488 (best) | — |
| Median listing price | $14,117 (best) | — |
| Highest listing price | $18,000 (best) | — |
| For sale now | 8 (best) | 0 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Mazda 32.5 S |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 29 MPG | 30 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 25 MPG | 27 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 35 MPG | 36 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 18.5 gal (best) | 13.2 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Mazda 32.5 S |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 185 hp | 186 hp (best) |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft | 186 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 2.4 L | 2.5 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Mazda 32.5 S |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 15.9 cu ft (best) | 13.2 cu ft |
| Curb weight | 3,230 lbs | 3,111 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 5.3 in | 5.5 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 110.4 in (best) | 107.3 in |
| Length | 191.1 in (best) | 183.5 in |
| Width | 73.2 in (best) | 70.7 in |
| Height | 57.7 in (best) | 56.9 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Mazda 32.5 S |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Rollover | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported | None reported |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Kia Optima | Mazda 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LX $23,390 MSRP(Currently comparing) | 2.5 S $24,550 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | S $24,890 MSRP | 2.5 S $25,550 MSRP |
| 3 | SE $26,390 MSRP | 2.5 S Select Sport $25,440 MSRP |
| 4 | EX $27,190 MSRP | 2.5 S Select Sport $26,740 MSRP |
| 5 | EX $29,310 MSRP | 2.5 S Preferred $27,090 MSRP |
| 6 | EX Premium $30,190 MSRP | 2.5 S Preferred $28,440 MSRP |
| 7 | SX $32,190 MSRP | 2.5 S Carbon Edition $30,210 MSRP |
| 8 | EX $36,090 MSRP | 2.5 S Carbon Edition $31,360 MSRP |
| 9 | — | 2.5 S Premium $31,450 MSRP |
| 10 | — | 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus $36,740 MSRP |
| 11 | — | 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus $37,890 MSRP |
Live inventory
Kia Optima8 for sale
See all
Used2019 Kia Optima
SX
Snow White Pearl•Black50,346 mi$17,446Phil Smith Mitsubishi of Lighthouse Point
Lighthouse Point, FL
Certified2019 Kia Optima
S
Snow White Pearl•Black69,814 mi$14,734Greensboro Auto Center
Greensboro, NC
Used2020 Kia Optima
LX
sangria•black114,297 mi$10,488Secret City Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Oak Ridge, TN
Used2020 Kia Optima
LX
Horizon Blue•black119,032 mi$12,500Mccarthy Chevrolet Lee's Summit
Lee's Summit, MO
Certified2019 Kia Optima
S
Platinum Graphite•black45,738 mi$17,000Fred Anderson Kia Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
- Used
2020 Kia Optima
SE
Passion Red•black38,701 mi$18,000Stanley Wood Chevrolet
Batesville, AR
Kia Optima vs Mazda 3 FAQ
- Which is better: 2020 Kia Optima or 2026 Mazda 3?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2020 Kia Optima vs 2026 Mazda 3 on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2020 Kia Optima or 2026 Mazda 3?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2020 Kia Optima starts lower at $23,390. Live Kia Optima listings start at $10,488.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2020 Kia Optima or 2026 Mazda 3?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (23,390).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2020 Kia Optima or 2026 Mazda 3?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (42).
- Which has better electricRangeMi: 2020 Kia Optima or 2026 Mazda 3?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on electricRangeMi in this comparison (28).
- Which has better horsepower: 2020 Kia Optima or 2026 Mazda 3?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on horsepower in this comparison (245).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2020 Kia Optima vs 2026 Mazda 3?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Kia Optima (5/5 NHTSA overall).