Enter the 17-character VIN of your Kia Optima to see the factory basics. Free, with no registration.
Look on the dashboard, the driver's door frame or in the registration document.
Type all 17 characters. The letters I, O and Q are never used in a VIN.
See the factory basics for free, and order a full report for the history behind the VIN.
Enter the 17 character VIN of a Kia Optima and the free decoder reads the manufacturer, the model year and the country of manufacture, with no registration needed. Our data for the Optima covers model years 2000 to 2020, two body styles (Sedan and Wagon) and power from 134 to 278 hp across 10 versions, from Kia Optima I to Kia Optima IV Sportswagon (facelift 2018).
A VIN does not contain accidents, mileage, theft or previous owners, so the decoder cannot show them. That information comes from a paid vehicle history report, and when you view a car, check that the VIN on the car matches the one in the documents and that the decoded model year fits the car in front of you.
2000 - 2020
Production years
134 - 278 hp
Power
2
Body styles
10
Versions
Versions and generations in our data. Use the VIN to confirm which one you have.
| Version | Years | Body | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Optima I | 2000 - 2002 | Sedan | 134 - 181 hp |
| Kia Optima I (facelift 2003) | 2003 - 2005 | Sedan | 134 - 176 hp |
| Kia Optima II | 2005 - 2008 | Sedan | 140 - 188 hp |
| Kia Optima II (facelift 2008) | 2008 - 2010 | Sedan | 150 - 193 hp |
| Kia Optima III | 2010 - 2013 | Sedan | 165 - 278 hp |
| Kia Optima III (facelift 2013) | 2013 - 2015 | Sedan | 136 - 278 hp |
| Kia Optima IV | 2015 - 2018 | Sedan | 141 - 245 hp |
| Kia Optima IV Sportswagon | 2016 - 2018 | Wagon | 141 - 245 hp |
| Kia Optima IV (facelift 2018) | 2018 - 2020 | Sedan | 134 - 245 hp |
| Kia Optima IV Sportswagon (facelift 2018) | 2018 - 2020 | Wagon | 136 - 238 hp |
The 10th character of the VIN is the model year. For the Kia Optima, with model years 2000 - 2020 in our data, these are the characters to expect. The letters repeat every 30 years, so always confirm the year against the car itself.
On the driver's side, visible through the windshield.
On a sticker on the door frame or the edge of the door.
Printed in the vehicle registration or title.
Stamped on the firewall or the frame on many models.
A VIN is built from six parts, and each one says something about the vehicle. Our guides explain how to read it and what it can and cannot tell you.
Enter the 17-character VIN and see the factory basics in seconds.
Our data lists model years 2000 - 2020 across 10 versions of the Kia Optima. The VIN of a particular car shows its model year in the 10th character.
It is the 10th character. For the Kia Optima the characters to expect are Y (2000), 1 (2001), 2 (2002), 3 (2003), 4 (2004), 5 (2005), 6 (2006), 7 (2007), 8 (2008), 9 (2009), A (2010), B (2011), C (2012), D (2013), E (2014), F (2015), G (2016), H (2017), J (2018), K (2019), L (2020).
10 versions, in 2 body styles, with power up to 278 hp. Use the VIN to confirm which one you have.
The decoder gives you the model year from the 10th character, which you can set against the versions in our data, such as Kia Optima III (facelift 2013) or Kia Optima IV (facelift 2018). A model year alone may not settle the version, so confirm it against the registration papers and the car itself.
Check that all 17 characters are identical on the plate, in the registration papers and in any sales paperwork. Letters I, O and Q are never used in a VIN, so if one appears, a character has probably been misread or copied wrongly.
It will not tell you about accidents, mileage, theft or owners, because none of that is stored in the VIN. The decoder only reads the manufacturer, the model year and the country of manufacture.