Depending on the engine, the Kia Optima can go up to around 245 horsepower, which isn’t bad for a mid-size sedan. But in order to actually put that horsepower to use, you’re going to need the best tires for the terrain.
What are the best tires for a Kia Optima?
- Touring: Bridgestone Turanza Quiettrack – $230.99/tire
- Performance: Bridgestone Potenza Re-71r – $214.59/tire
- All-Terrain: Continental VikingContact 7 – $179.99/tire
- Winter/Snow: Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 – $194.97/tire
Best Tires for the Kia Optima
Touring: Bridgestone Turanza Quiettrack – $230.99/Tire
Touring tires are all about the mileage. You want a comfortable ride and good traction in a tire that will hold up for thousands of miles. This is the tire for road trips and commuting on the highway.
The Turanza Quiettrack achieves this with ComfortCruise Technology, which is really all about shape: A rounded contact patch to reduce vibration and in-groove “quiet tracks” to reduce road noise.
Users give the tire a 9.3 for wet performance, 9.4 for dry, and 9.6 for comfort.
Performance: Bridgestone Potenza Re-71r – $214.59/Tire
A performance tire should be excellent at handling corners. Maybe you’re not hitting the race track any time soon, but if you do a lot of city driving, you want good grip for those tight turns.
The Potenza uses a virtual slick tread for constant contact with the blacktop. The tire is not intended for winter use, but it will drive like a dream in the summer.
Users give the tire a 9.6 for dry performance and report great performance in acceleration and braking.
All-Terrain: Continental VikingContact 7 – $179.99/Tire
If you drive over all sorts of terrain, you need a tire that can handle it. An all-terrain tire isn’t just for off-road enthusiasts, it’s for anyone who has to deal with gravel, mud or loose dirt.
The VikingContact 7 uses a compound that includes canola oil to ensure that the silica stays grippy no matter the terrain. Users report a 9.2 for comfort, 8.8 for wet performance, and 8.9 for winter/snow.
Winter/Snow: Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 – $194.97/Tire
Folks in warmer states don’t have to worry about winter roads, but if you have to drive over ice, slush and snow, you know how important a good winter tire is.
Blizzaks use a multi-cell compound with “bite particles” that prevent water from collecting on the tire, cut through slush, and grip icy roads. Users give it a 9.4 for winter performance and report great results in snowy countryside driving.
People Also Ask…
Does the Kia Optima come with a spare tire?
Not anymore. Over the last few years, we’ve seen automakers phase the spare tire out of their offerings. Some will give you a spare on higher trim levels, but that’s not the case with the Optima. You’ll have to buy it as an add-on.
What’s the recommended tire pressure for a Kia Optima?
34psi. A standard Kia Optima with standard tires is going to have a recommended tire pressure of 34 pounds per square inch, but make sure that you read the number on the wall of the tire before you start filling it up.
How do you reset the tire pressure indicator on a Kia Optima?
Look under the steering wheel. There should be a pressure warning reset switch. Hold that down until the light blinks three times. It will reset after a few minutes. Alternately you can drive on the highway for 10 minutes at 60mph.
