2014 Kia Optima Battery Size

The 2014 Kia Optima uses a BCI Group 124R battery, rated about 580-650 cold cranking amps (Flooded).

Key takeaways

  • Battery: BCI Group 124R, 580-650 CCA, Flooded.
  • Replace with the same Group 124R.
  • In cold weather, choose a battery at or above 650 CCA.
  • It comes with a flooded battery; you can upgrade to AGM in the same group size.
BCI Group Size124RThe case-size code that sets the physical fit and terminal layout.Verified fit
Battery type (OEM)
Flooded
Cold cranking amps (CCA)
580-650
Terminal position
Reversed-terminal layout (R)
Dimensions (L×W×H)
270×173×205 mm

Gas; hybrids use a separate H6R aux. Always confirm against your owner's manual or current battery label.

Verified fitLast checked
Sources: CarSpecs
Reviewed by the GarageDex editorial team against manufacturer and retailer fitment data.
It comes with a standard flooded battery. You can usually step up to an AGM in the same Group 124R for longer life, but it isn't required. A 580-650 CCA rating is typical for this class. Matching or slightly exceeding the OEM figure is fine; going below it risks hard starts in winter. Group 124R defines the case size and terminal layout (reversed-terminal layout (r)), so any reputable Group 124R battery will fit the tray and connect correctly.

The right battery for your 2014 Kia Optima

Match the group size (Group 124R) and aim for at least 580 CCA - more in cold climates. A standard flooded battery is fine, or upgrade to AGM for longer life. A battery is heavy to ship, so buying in person can win once you count free install and the core-charge refund - but to compare prices and reviews:

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Shop the Group 124R battery

What does a 2014 Kia Optima battery cost?

Group 124R Flooded battery, 2014 Kia Optima
Typical price$80-200
Typical service life3-5 years
Cost per year~$16-67
Core charge~$22 (refundable)

Expect roughly $80-200 for a standard flooded battery in Group 124R, which is what this car takes. Over a typical 3-to-5-year service life that works out to about $16-67 a year. You can fit an AGM in the same Group 124R size if you want the longer service life, and it will cost roughly $125-320 instead. It is an upgrade, not a requirement.

Kia is genuinely mixed on this: 43% of the 2015-and-newer Kia vehicles we hold specs for take AGM and the rest do not, so it varies by model year and even by trim. This is exactly the kind of car worth looking up rather than assuming.

See the full breakdown of what car batteries cost - by type, by make, and what the extras actually add.

Do you need to register the battery?

This car came with a flooded battery and no smart charging system to satisfy, so there is nothing to register. Disconnect, swap, reconnect. You may need to reset the clock and radio presets, and that is the extent of it.

What Group 124R means

A BCI group number describes the battery's physical size and terminal layout, not its power. It is what guarantees the battery drops into the tray and the cables reach the right posts. A Group 124R case measures roughly 270 × 173 × 205 mm. Reversed-terminal layout (R).

Group 124R is one of the less common sizes, at 1.1% of the vehicles we hold specs for. It is still a catalogued BCI size rather than anything exotic, but a smaller store may need to order it, so it is worth calling ahead.

Every vehicle that takes a Group 124R

How many cold cranking amps?

Aim for 580 CCA at minimum. Cold cranking amps measure how much current the battery can deliver at 0°F, which is the one moment a battery is really tested. The 580-650 range reflects the different batteries fitted across this vehicle's trims and options. Going above the OEM rating is safe and does no harm - the starter draws what it needs and no more, so a higher-CCA battery is not "too strong" for the car. It is worth paying for if you park outside in a cold climate, and largely wasted money if you do not. Going below 580 is the one thing to avoid, because that is where hard winter starts come from.

Can you use a higher-CCA battery?

How long it should last

A standard flooded battery typically lasts 3 to 5 years. Heat is what kills batteries, not cold - cold just exposes one that was already failing, which is why so many die on the first freezing morning after a hot summer. Short trips that never fully recharge it shorten its life too. Once this battery passes its third year, get it tested annually rather than waiting to be stranded.

The warning signs are worth knowing because they are easy to miss: cranking that sounds slower than it used to, headlights that dim at idle and brighten when you rev, or a car that starts fine every day until the first cold morning and then does not. A battery rarely warns you twice.

Frequently asked

What size battery does a 2014 Kia Optima take?

The 2014 Kia Optima uses a BCI Group 124R battery, rated around 580-650 cold cranking amps.

Does the 2014 Kia Optima need an AGM battery?

No - it comes with a flooded battery from the factory. You can usually upgrade to AGM in the same Group 124R size, but it isn't required.

How many cold cranking amps (CCA) does it need?

Aim for roughly 580-650 CCA. Choosing at or above the OEM rating is fine; going below can cause hard starts in cold weather.

Where is the battery located on a 2014 Kia Optima?

Check the engine bay first - that is where most vehicles carry the battery. Be aware that some models put it in the trunk or under a seat instead (many BMW and Mercedes-Benz models, plus the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, among others), so if the engine bay has none, look there or in your owner's manual. Reversed-terminal layout (R).

How much does a 2014 Kia Optima battery cost?

Expect roughly $80-200 for a standard flooded battery in Group 124R, which is what this car takes. Over a typical 3-to-5-year service life that works out to about $16-67 a year. You can fit an AGM in the same Group 124R size if you want the longer service life, and it will cost roughly $125-320 instead. It is an upgrade, not a requirement.

Does a 2014 Kia Optima battery need to be registered?

This car came with a flooded battery and no smart charging system to satisfy, so there is nothing to register. Disconnect, swap, reconnect. You may need to reset the clock and radio presets, and that is the extent of it.

How long should a 2014 Kia Optima battery last?

A standard flooded battery typically lasts 3 to 5 years. Heat is what kills batteries, not cold - cold just exposes one that was already failing, which is why so many die on the first freezing morning after a hot summer. Short trips that never fully recharge it shorten its life too. Once this battery passes its third year, get it tested annually rather than waiting to be stranded.

More verified specs for your 2014 Kia Optima

Other vehicles that use a Group 124R battery

Group 124R is a common size, so the same battery fits many other vehicles - including:

Kia Optima battery by year

See all parts & specs for your 2014 Kia Optima