Kia Optima vs Subaru Impreza
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Subaru Impreza
Overview
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Subaru ImprezaSport |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | LX | Sport |
| Body style | Sedan | Hatchback |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | all 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 | Subaru ImprezaSport |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $23,390 (best) | $26,595 |
| Lowest listing price | $10,488 (best) | $16,250 |
| Median listing price | $14,117 (best) | $21,221 |
| Highest listing price | $18,000 (best) | $29,333 |
| For sale now | 8 | 13 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Subaru ImprezaSport |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 29 MPG | 30 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 25 MPG | 27 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 35 MPG (best) | 34 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 18.5 gal (best) | 16.6 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Subaru ImprezaSport |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 185 hp (best) | 152 hp |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft (best) | 145 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2.4 L (best) | 2 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | flat 4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Subaru ImprezaSport |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 15.9 cu ft | 56 cu ft (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,230 lbs (best) | 3,249 lbs |
| Ground clearance | 5.3 in (best) | 5.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 110.4 in (best) | 105.1 in |
| Length | 191.1 in (best) | 176.2 in |
| Width | 73.2 in (best) | 70.1 in |
| Height | 57.7 in | 58.3 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Subaru ImprezaSport |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 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 | Subaru Impreza |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LX $23,390 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Sport $26,595 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | S $24,890 MSRP | RS $29,495 MSRP |
| 3 | SE $26,390 MSRP | — |
| 4 | EX $27,190 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
Subaru Impreza13 for sale
See all
Used2024 Subaru Impreza
Base
Pure Red•black62,337 mi$21,221Fred Anderson Toyota of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Used2022 Subaru Impreza
Premium
Magnetite Gray Metallic•Black87,640 mi$16,250Hanania Subaru of Orange Park
Jacksonville, FL
Used2021 Subaru Impreza
Premium
Crystal Black Silica•Ivory36,688 mi$19,999Novak Motors New Jersey
Lebanon, NJ
Used2022 Subaru Impreza
None
Crystal White Pearl•black73,563 mi$16,860North Bakersfield Toyota
Bakersfield, CA
Used2024 Subaru Impreza
2.5RS
Silver•Black45,203 mi$21,308Findlay Volkswagen St. George
St. George, UT
Certified2024 Subaru Impreza
Base
MAGNETITE GRAY METALLIC•Black20,598 mi$20,570Subaru of Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV
Kia Optima vs Subaru Impreza FAQ
- Which is better: 2020 Kia Optima or 2026 Subaru Impreza?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2020 Kia Optima vs 2026 Subaru Impreza 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 Subaru Impreza?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2020 Kia Optima starts lower at $23,390. Live Kia Optima listings start at $10,488. Live Subaru Impreza listings start at $16,250.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2020 Kia Optima or 2026 Subaru Impreza?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (23,390).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2020 Kia Optima or 2026 Subaru Impreza?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (42).
- Which has better electricRangeMi: 2020 Kia Optima or 2026 Subaru Impreza?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on electricRangeMi in this comparison (28).
- Which has better horsepower: 2020 Kia Optima or 2026 Subaru Impreza?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on horsepower in this comparison (245).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2020 Kia Optima vs 2026 Subaru Impreza?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Kia Optima (5/5 NHTSA overall); Subaru Impreza (5/5 NHTSA overall).