Verified Performance Tests Updated May 2026 · 30 recorded runs

Kia Optima 0–60 Times

The Kia Optima 0–60 times and quarter-mile times below are from 30 recorded performance tests sourced from reputable automotive resources such as Car and Driver, Motor Trend and Motor Week and more.

The fastest tested Kia Optima is the 2011 Kia Optima SX Turbo, which went from 0 to 60 mph in 6.10 seconds, reaching the ¼ mile in 14.50 seconds at 99.4 mph, according to Road & Track.

The slowest tested Kia Optima is the 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid, which took 9.40 seconds to reach 60 mph, running the ¼ mile in 17.10 seconds at 83.0 mph, according to Motor Week.

Out of all the Kia Optima tests in our database, the average 0–60 mph time is 7.82 seconds. The average quarter-mile time is 16.07 seconds at 88.59 mph.

Fastest 0–60 6.10sec 2011 SX Turbo · stock

Average 0–60 7.82sec Across 30 runs

Avg ¼ Mile 16.07sec @ 88.6 mph trap

Slowest 0–60 9.40sec 2011 Hybrid

Across 30 verified runs, the Kia Optima ranges from 6.10 to 9.40 seconds 0–60, with a 7.82-second average.

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Kia Optima Performance Overview

Across 30 independently verified tests spanning 2001 to 2019, the Kia Optima traces a midsize-sedan performance arc from modest V6 and four-cylinder gasoline outputs to turbocharged and electrified variants. The first-generation MS (2001–2005) ran naturally aspirated gasoline engines rated at 138–169 hp, with the 2001 SE V6 reaching 60 mph in 8.6 seconds before the 2003 LX lowered the mark to 8.3. The MG generation (2006–2010) remained gasoline-only at 162–185 hp, and its quickest recorded result, the 2007 EX V6 at 8.6 seconds to 60 mph, kept the Optima in the high-eight-second range.

A larger step came with the TF generation (2011–2015), which introduced Theta II turbocharging alongside naturally aspirated and hybrid options. That broadened the lineup from 192 to 274 hp and produced the model’s quickest verified run: the 2011 SX Turbo at 6.1 seconds to 60 mph and a 14.5-second quarter-mile at 99.4 mph. At the other end, the 2011 Hybrid posted 9.4 seconds to 60 mph. In the JF era (2016–2019 here), gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid versions continued, with 178–245 hp available; the current-generation benchmark is the 2019 SX Turbo at 6.7 seconds, placing the late Optima in the mid-pack of modern family-sedan acceleration.

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Kia Optima 0–60 Times by Generation: MS to JF

4 generations

Generation	Years	Avg 0–60	Fastest 0–60	Tests	Notes
JF	2016–2020	7.34s	6.70s — 2019 SX Turbo	9	The JF generation (2016–2020) averaged 7.34 seconds to 60 mph across 9 tests, led by the 2019 SX Turbo at 6.70 seconds. Output ranged from 178 to 245 hp across 1.6L Turbo I-4, 2.0L I-4 + Elec 1.6-kWh, 2.0L I-4 + Elec 9.8-kWh, 2.0L Turbo I-4, 2.4L I-4 configurations.
TF	2011–2015	7.60s	6.10s — 2011 SX Turbo	13	The TF generation (2011–2015) averaged 7.60 seconds to 60 mph across 13 tests, led by the 2011 SX Turbo at 6.10 seconds. Output ranged from 192 to 274 hp across 2.0L Turbo I-4, 2.4L I-4, 2.4L I-4 + Elec , 2.4L I-4 + Elec 30-kW 1.4-kWh configurations.
MG	2006–2010	8.80s	8.60s — 2007 EX V6	4	The MG generation (2006–2010) averaged 8.80 seconds to 60 mph across 4 tests, led by the 2007 EX V6 at 8.60 seconds. Output ranged from 162 to 185 hp across 2.4L I-4, 2.7L V6 configurations.
MS	2001–2005	8.65s	8.30s — 2003 LX	4	The MS generation (2001–2005) averaged 8.65 seconds to 60 mph across 4 tests, led by the 2003 LX at 8.30 seconds. Output ranged from 138 to 169 hp across 2.4L I-4, 2.5L V6 configurations.

JF 2016–2020

Avg 0–60 7.34s

Fastest 6.70s

Tests 9

2019 SX Turbo

The JF generation (2016–2020) averaged 7.34 seconds to 60 mph across 9 tests, led by the 2019 SX Turbo at 6.70 seconds. Output ranged from 178 to 245 hp across 1.6L Turbo I-4, 2.0L I-4 + Elec 1.6-kWh, 2.0L I-4 + Elec 9.8-kWh, 2.0L Turbo I-4, 2.4L I-4 configurations.

TF 2011–2015

Avg 0–60 7.60s

Fastest 6.10s

Tests 13

2011 SX Turbo

The TF generation (2011–2015) averaged 7.60 seconds to 60 mph across 13 tests, led by the 2011 SX Turbo at 6.10 seconds. Output ranged from 192 to 274 hp across 2.0L Turbo I-4, 2.4L I-4, 2.4L I-4 + Elec , 2.4L I-4 + Elec 30-kW 1.4-kWh configurations.

MG 2006–2010

Avg 0–60 8.80s

Fastest 8.60s

Tests 4

2007 EX V6

The MG generation (2006–2010) averaged 8.80 seconds to 60 mph across 4 tests, led by the 2007 EX V6 at 8.60 seconds. Output ranged from 162 to 185 hp across 2.4L I-4, 2.7L V6 configurations.

MS 2001–2005

Avg 0–60 8.65s

Fastest 8.30s

Tests 4

2003 LX

The MS generation (2001–2005) averaged 8.65 seconds to 60 mph across 4 tests, led by the 2003 LX at 8.30 seconds. Output ranged from 138 to 169 hp across 2.4L I-4, 2.5L V6 configurations.

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Kia Optima 0–60 Times by Year and Trim

30 tests · 12 years

▾

Model Year 12

2019 Kia Optima

1 verified run

Avg 0–60 6.70 sec

Avg ¼ Mile 15.10 sec

Recorded Tests 1

#04

2019 Kia Optima SX Turbo

6.70sec 0–60

0.0s · 0mph 0.0s · 0mph

15.10s ¼ mi @ 93.9 mph

▾

0–60 mph: 6.70 sec
¼ Mile ET: 15.10 sec
Trap Speed: 93.9 mph
Engine: 2.0L Turbo I-4
Drivetrain: FWD
Transmission: 6A
Horsepower: 245 hp
Torque: 260 lb-ft
Curb Weight: 3,552 lbs
Power-to-Weight: 14.5 lbs/hp
MPG EPA: 21 C / 30 H
Production Vehicle
Body Type: Sedan
Powertrain: Gasoline
Test Source: Motor Trend
Overall Rank: #4 of 30

How we verify Kia Optima performance data

We include only independently published road-test results from automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed 0–60 times are excluded unless clearly labeled. When multiple publications test the same Kia Optima trim, each run is listed separately — weather, tires, surface, rollout, and instrumentation all affect results.

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Kia Optima 0–60 and quarter-mile distribution

0–60 vs ¼ mile · lower-left is faster

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Kia Optima performance FAQs

11 questions

The 2019 Kia Optima SX Turbo reaches 60 mph in 6.7 seconds. In the same test, it ran the quarter-mile in 15.1 seconds at 93.9 mph. That makes it the quickest 2019 Optima test on record, with 245 hp, 260 lb-ft, and front-wheel drive.

For 2019, the recorded Kia Optima test is the SX Turbo, which does 0-60 in 6.7 seconds and the quarter-mile in 15.1 seconds at 93.9 mph. Across all 30 Optima tests, the overall average is 7.82 seconds to 60 mph and 16.07 seconds at 88.6 mph in the quarter-mile.

The fastest Kia Optima on record is the 2011 SX Turbo, with a 0-60 time of 6.1 seconds. It also owns the quickest quarter-mile result for the model at 14.5 seconds with a 99.4 mph trap speed. That run is from a stock car, not a modified build.

The fastest stock Kia Optima is also the fastest Optima overall: the 2011 SX Turbo at 6.1 seconds from 0-60 mph. Its best quarter-mile pass is 14.5 seconds at 99.4 mph. All 30 Optima tests are production vehicles, so there is no separate modified result ahead of it.

The JF-generation Kia Optima, covering 2016 to 2020, averages 7.34 seconds from 0-60 mph across 9 tests. The quickest JF example is the 2019 SX Turbo at 6.7 seconds. This generation spans naturally aspirated, turbocharged, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid versions.

The fastest JF-generation Optima is the 2019 SX Turbo, which reaches 60 mph in 6.7 seconds. Within the 2016-2020 JF generation, that stands as the best recorded acceleration result. Across 9 JF tests, the generation average is 7.34 seconds to 60 mph.

The TF-generation Kia Optima, sold from 2011 to 2015, averages 7.6 seconds from 0-60 mph across 13 tests. Its quickest version is the 2011 SX Turbo at 6.1 seconds. TF cars were tested with naturally aspirated, turbocharged, and hybrid powertrains.

The fastest TF-generation Optima is the 2011 SX Turbo, posting a 6.1-second 0-60 time. It is not just the quickest TF car, but the quickest Kia Optima overall. The TF generation covers 13 tests and averages 7.6 seconds to 60 mph.

The SX Turbo is clearly quicker. Across recorded tests, the Optima SX Turbo averages 6.73 seconds from 0-60 mph, with a best of 6.1 seconds. The Optima EX averages 8.28 seconds, with a best of 7.5 seconds. On straight-line acceleration, the turbo trim has a substantial edge.

The SX Turbo is the faster trim in recorded testing. The Optima SX Turbo averages 6.73 seconds to 60 mph and has a best run of 6.1 seconds. The LX 1.6T averages 7.4 seconds, with a best of 7.3 seconds. That puts the SX Turbo ahead in both average and peak performance.

Across all 30 Kia Optima tests, the average quarter-mile time is 16.07 seconds at 88.6 mph. The quickest Optima quarter-mile on record comes from the 2011 SX Turbo, which ran 14.5 seconds at 99.4 mph. For the 2019 SX Turbo specifically, the quarter-mile is 15.1 seconds at 93.9 mph.

Sources

Car and Driver

Motor Trend

Motor Week

Road & Track

0–60 and quarter-mile times vary with driver, weather, tire temperature, and wear. We collect every verified run we can find — so you see the range of what a Kia Optima can do, not a single marketing claim.

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Other Kia 0–60 times

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Kia Optima 0–60 Times

Kia Optima Performance Overview

Kia Optima 0–60 Times by Generation: MS to JF

Kia Optima 0–60 Times by Year and Trim

2019 Kia Optima

2017 Kia Optima

2016 Kia Optima

2014 Kia Optima

2013 Kia Optima

2012 Kia Optima

2011 Kia Optima

2008 Kia Optima

2007 Kia Optima

2006 Kia Optima

2003 Kia Optima

2001 Kia Optima