The 2019 Kia Optima sits in the modern midsize sedan category with a strong emphasis on everyday comfort, clean styling, and trim-level variety that changes the tire decision more than the body shape suggests. For buyers replacing worn tires, the key question is not simply whether an Optima needs radials, because every primary fitment here is radial, but which size matches the exact sub-model and wheel package. Depending on trim, the 2019 Kia Optima uses 205/65R16, 215/55R17, or 235/45R18. Available choices lean toward performance-oriented BFGoodrich blackwall radials in several g-Force series. The right pick comes down to matching the original wheel diameter, preserving the intended stance, and choosing a tire that suits the car's use on the road.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2019 Kia Optima
The 2019 Kia Optima uses three primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. All three are metric radial sizes, but they are not interchangeable choices for the same wheel. Before comparing tires, confirm whether the car has 16-inch, 17-inch, or 18-inch wheels and then match the size used by that trim.
215/55R17 is a metric radial size in which 215 identifies the section width in millimeters, 55 is the aspect ratio, R designates radial construction, and 17 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 2019 Kia Optima, this size serves several trims and keeps the vehicle in a modern radial fitment with a 17-inch wheel package. Available choices in this size come from BFGoodrich in blackwall form across the g-Force Comp 2 AS and g-Force Phenom T/A series. It is the right size to evaluate when the car already wears 17-inch wheels and the goal is to stay with that original wheel diameter.
205/65R16 is a metric radial size where 205 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 65 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches. For the 2019 Kia Optima, this size appears on certain trims that use a 16-inch wheel rather than the larger wheel packages found elsewhere in the lineup. Its overall diameter stays close to the other Optima fitments, but the tire still belongs on the correct 16-inch wheel setup. This is the size to confirm first when replacing tires on an Optima LX or Hybrid EX equipped with the smaller factory-style wheel package.
235/45R18 is a metric radial size with a 235-millimeter nominal section width, a 45-series profile, radial construction, and an 18-inch rim diameter. On the 2019 Kia Optima, this size is tied to trims that use the larger 18-inch wheel package, giving tire selection a more performance-oriented direction than the smaller Optima fitments. BFGoodrich offers this size in blackwall form across several g-Force lines, including g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, and g-Force Phenom T/A. It is the size to compare when the car already has 18-inch wheels and the buyer wants to preserve that trim-specific wheel and tire setup.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 2019 Kia Optima because tire size changes with trim and wheel package. Some versions share the same radial size, while others move to a different rim diameter, so identifying the exact sub-model is the first step before choosing replacement tires.
1
2019 Kia Optima EX
The 2019 Kia Optima EX uses the 215/55R17 radial size on a 17-inch wheel package. Tire selection here is mostly about comparing available blackwall performance-oriented radials while keeping the same wheel diameter and trim-specific fitment.
The 2019 Kia Optima Hybrid EX appears with either 205/65R16 or 215/55R17 radial fitment, so wheel diameter needs to be confirmed before ordering. Once the actual wheel size is verified, the focus shifts to choosing the correct modern radial in that exact size.
The 2019 Kia Optima LX can use either 205/65R16 or 215/55R17, which makes wheel confirmation especially important on this trim. Tire selection should start with the wheel already on the car, then move to the available radial choices that match that setup.
The 2019 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid EX uses the 215/55R17 radial size. That keeps the decision straightforward: stay with the 17-inch fitment and compare the available blackwall radial options within that exact size.
The 2019 Kia Optima S uses 235/45R18 radial tires on an 18-inch wheel package. Buyers in this trim should concentrate on matching that lower-profile size and comparing the available BFGoodrich g-Force series options built around the same wheel diameter.
The 2019 Kia Optima SX uses the 235/45R18 radial size. That places tire choice around retaining the 18-inch setup, checking wheel-width compatibility, and selecting among the available blackwall performance-oriented radial lines in this size.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 2019 Kia Optima Tires for Sale
Available 2019 Kia Optima tire choices center on BFGoodrich blackwall radials in several g-Force series. Depending on size, the product grid lets you compare g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, and g-Force Phenom T/A options with different rim-width specifications and load details.
These FAQs focus on the exact tire sizes used on the 2019 Kia Optima, how trim level changes fitment, and what to compare when selecting replacement radial tires for daily driving or longer-term ownership.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2019 Kia Optima?
The 2019 Kia Optima uses three primary tire sizes: 205/65R16, 215/55R17, and 235/45R18. The correct size depends on the exact sub-model and wheel package, not just the model name. LX and Hybrid EX can appear with either 16-inch or 17-inch fitment, while EX and Plug-In Hybrid EX use 215/55R17, and S and SX use 235/45R18.
The most important step is matching the tire to the wheel that is actually on the car. A 16-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 17-inch or 18-inch wheel, and a trim that offered more than one wheel package should be checked directly at the vehicle before ordering replacement tires.
What size rim does a 2019 Kia Optima use?
A 2019 Kia Optima can use 16-inch, 17-inch, or 18-inch rims depending on the sub-model and tire size. The 205/65R16 fitment uses a 16-inch rim, 215/55R17 uses a 17-inch rim, and 235/45R18 uses an 18-inch rim. The rim diameter is built into the tire size itself and must match exactly.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed before comparing tread designs or tire series. If the car has been purchased used or has had wheel changes over time, checking the tire sidewall and the wheel package on the vehicle is the safest way to avoid ordering the right tire size for the wrong rim.
Why does the 2019 Kia Optima have more than one tire size?
The 2019 Kia Optima has more than one tire size because different sub-models use different wheel packages. Some trims share the 215/55R17 size, LX and Hybrid EX can use either 205/65R16 or 215/55R17, and S and SX move to 235/45R18. All of them are radial tires, but they are tied to different trim-level setups.
That means tire selection starts with trim and wheel confirmation rather than preference alone. Even though the overall diameters are close across the three sizes, the wheel diameter changes, and that makes the exact mounted setup far more important than assuming every Optima uses the same replacement tire.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 215/55R17 tire for a 2019 Kia Optima?
Start by confirming that the car actually uses the 215/55R17 size, since that fitment applies to the EX, Plug-In Hybrid EX, and some LX and Hybrid EX cars. In this size, the available choices are BFGoodrich blackwall radials in the g-Force Comp 2 AS and g-Force Phenom T/A series, both built for 17-inch wheels.
After size confirmation, compare the tire series and wheel-width specifications to the actual setup on the car. It also helps to weigh how the Optima is used day to day, since the decision is less about changing size and more about selecting the right 17-inch radial within the correct fitment.
What brands offer tires for the 2019 Kia Optima?
The available tires for this 2019 Kia Optima fitment set come from BFGoodrich. The product range includes several g-Force lines, with 215/55R17 and 235/45R18 both represented in blackwall radial form. The product mix is not spread across multiple brands here, so the main comparison is between BFGoodrich series rather than between manufacturers.
That makes selection more about matching the exact size and reviewing each series within that brand. Buyers should still compare wheel-width compatibility, load details where shown, and the intended use of the car, especially when replacing lower-profile 18-inch tires on S or SX trims.
What tire series are available for the 2019 Kia Optima?
Available tire series for the 2019 Kia Optima include BFGoodrich g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, and g-Force Phenom T/A. The 215/55R17 fitment is offered in g-Force Comp 2 AS and g-Force Phenom T/A, while 235/45R18 adds g-Force Sport Comp 2 to the mix. All of these options are radial blackwall tires.
The practical difference for a buyer is that the series choice happens after the correct size is settled. Once the car's wheel diameter is confirmed, the product grid becomes a comparison of available lines in that exact size, along with rim-width specifications and other details that affect compatibility.
Restoration & Appearance
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2019 Kia Optima restoration?
Correct tire fitment still matters on a 2019 Kia Optima even though it is a modern sedan rather than an older collector car. Using the proper size preserves the intended relationship between tire, wheel, and body, and this model can require 16-inch, 17-inch, or 18-inch fitment depending on trim.
Appearance and function both benefit when the tire matches the wheel package the car is meant to carry. Anyone aiming for a clean, original-style presentation should verify the exact sub-model and wheel setup first, then choose a tire in the proper size rather than treating all Optima trims as interchangeable.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2019 Kia Optima?
On the 2019 Kia Optima, construction is straightforward because the primary fitments are all radial. That means the appearance question is shaped less by bias-ply versus radial and more by staying with the correct size, sidewall profile, and wheel diameter for the trim. A 16-inch setup presents differently from a 17-inch or 18-inch package.
For a tidy restoration-oriented result, the tire should support the car's intended stance instead of altering it. Keeping the proper metric radial size helps preserve that look, while jumping to a different wheel diameter or profile can change the visual balance even before any difference in ride or handling is considered.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2019 Kia Optima?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2019 Kia Optima. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, different offset, lowering springs, or suspension changes can all influence how a 205/65R16, 215/55R17, or 235/45R18 tire sits in the wheel opening and how much clearance it has while turning or compressing.
Any Optima that has been changed from its original wheel setup should be checked carefully before replacement tires are chosen. Measuring the existing wheel diameter and width, then inspecting steering and fender clearance, is especially important on the lower-profile 18-inch fitment where space can be less forgiving.
What should I inspect before driving a 2019 Kia Optima on new tires?
Before driving a 2019 Kia Optima on new tires, inspect the wheel condition, verify that the tire size matches the actual wheel diameter, and make sure inflation is set properly for the installed tires. It is also wise to look over the suspension and alignment condition, especially if the previous tires showed uneven wear.
A short check drive should confirm that there is no rubbing, vibration, or pull once the new tires are mounted. Cars that have sat for a while or changed owners recently deserve extra attention, because worn shocks, bent wheels, or old alignment issues can shorten tire life even when the correct size is installed.
How often should tires on a 2019 Kia Optima be inspected?
Tires on a 2019 Kia Optima should be inspected regularly rather than waiting for a problem to appear. Look at tread wear, air pressure, cuts, bulges, punctures, and sidewall damage as part of normal ownership, and give the tires a closer review before longer trips or seasonal weather changes. That matters whether the car uses 16-inch, 17-inch, or 18-inch fitment.
A careful routine inspection helps catch issues before they affect ride quality or safety. Vehicles that see less frequent use still need attention, since low-use tires can lose pressure or age unevenly over time, and any unusual wear pattern should prompt a check of alignment, wheel condition, and suspension health.
