2020 Kia Optima Safety and Reliability

The 2020 Kia Optima's crashworthiness reviews resulted in a top-notch overall safety rating of five-stars out of a possible five stars from the NHTSA. And, having scored top results of Good for all six of the IIHS's specified crash test reviews for both 2019 and 2020, the Optima carries the authority's top achievement of Top Safety Pick+ for 2019, too.

There's a vast array of safety and advanced driver-assist features in every Optima, with the standard selection including seven standard airbags (driver's side knee airbag, dual-front, and full-length side curtain), and essentials such as ESC, ABS, VSM, TCS, as well as a rearview camera, cruise control, hill-start assist, and impact sensing door unlock functionality. Standard driver-assist technology includes blind-spot collision warning, lane change assist, lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, driver attention warning, rear cross collision warning, rear park assist, forward collision warning, and forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection - from even the entry-level trims and up under the Drive Wise banner. Smart cruise control with stop-and-go functionality and pedestrian radar are added to the EX, EX Premium, and SX models.

There have been no recalls commissioned for the young 2020 Kia Optima in the USA, but the 2019 year model fell subject to one with the problem pertaining to the forward collision-avoidance system which may not have engaged on occasion. Fortunately, Kia has upgraded the system this year and the issue should be resolved. Kia does, however, cover the Optima with a five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and an industry-leading ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.