Kia Optima vs Nissan Altima
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Nissan Altima
Overview
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Nissan AltimaSV |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | LX | SV |
| Body style | Sedan | Sedan |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2020 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Nissan AltimaSV |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $23,390 (best) | $27,580 |
| Lowest listing price | $10,488 (best) | $10,995 |
| Median listing price | $14,117 (best) | $19,791 |
| Highest listing price | $18,000 (best) | $30,470 |
| For sale now | 8 | 53 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Nissan AltimaSV |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 29 MPG | 32 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 25 MPG | 27 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 35 MPG | 39 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 18.5 gal (best) | 16 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Nissan AltimaSV |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 185 hp | 188 hp (best) |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft | 180 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 2.4 L | 2.5 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Nissan AltimaSV |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 15.9 cu ft (best) | — |
| Curb weight | 3,230 lbs (best) | 3,281 lbs |
| Ground clearance | 5.3 in (best) | 5 in |
| Wheelbase | 110.4 in | 111 in (best) |
| Length | 191.1 in | 193 in (best) |
| Width | 73.2 in (best) | 73 in |
| Height | 57.7 in (best) | 57 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Nissan AltimaSV |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Rollover | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| 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 | Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LX $23,390 MSRP(Currently comparing) | SV $27,580 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | S $24,890 MSRP | SV $29,080 MSRP |
| 3 | SE $26,390 MSRP | SR $28,980 MSRP |
| 4 | EX $27,190 MSRP | SR AWD $30,480 MSRP |
| 5 | EX $29,310 MSRP | — |
| 6 | EX Premium $30,190 MSRP | — |
| 7 | SX $32,190 MSRP | — |
| 8 | EX $36,090 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
Nissan Altima53 for sale
See all
Used2024 Nissan Altima
2.5 SV
Garnet Pearl Metallic•Charcoal63,765 mi$18,797Peachtree Mitsubishi
Atlanta, GA
Certified2021 Nissan Altima
2.5 S
Glacier White•charcoal123,823 mi$10,995Wholesale Direct Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
Used2017 Nissan Altima
2.5 S
Cayenne Red•charcoal78,978 mi$13,599Jim Coleman Nissan Bethesda
Bethesda, MD
Used2025 Nissan Altima
2.5 SV
Garnet Pearl Metallic•Charcoal51,248 mi$18,754Honda of Lake City
Lake City, FL
Used2024 Nissan Altima
2.5 SL
Pearl White Tricoat•charcoal53,524 mi$22,536Classic Nissan Newport News
Newport News, VA
Used2023 Nissan Altima
2.5 SV
Pearl White Tricoat•Charcoal62,043 mi$18,588Walla Walla Toyota
Walla Walla, WA
Kia Optima vs Nissan Altima FAQ
- Which is better: 2020 Kia Optima or 2026 Nissan Altima?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2020 Kia Optima vs 2026 Nissan Altima 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 Nissan Altima?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2020 Kia Optima starts lower at $23,390. Live Kia Optima listings start at $10,488. Live Nissan Altima listings start at $10,995.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2020 Kia Optima or 2026 Nissan Altima?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (23,390).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2020 Kia Optima or 2026 Nissan Altima?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (42).
- Which has better electricRangeMi: 2020 Kia Optima or 2026 Nissan Altima?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on electricRangeMi in this comparison (28).
- Which has better horsepower: 2020 Kia Optima or 2026 Nissan Altima?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on horsepower in this comparison (245).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2020 Kia Optima vs 2026 Nissan Altima?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Kia Optima (5/5 NHTSA overall); Nissan Altima (5/5 NHTSA overall).