About This Kia Optima LX 2013 Build
We love featuring real builds from real owners. This Kia Optima LX 2013 sits on a set of 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-inch AVID1 AV20 wheels, and the result speaks for itself.
The owner chose AVID1 for a reason. This brand delivers serious quality and a design language that turns heads at every car meet. We see hundreds of Kia Optima LX builds come through WheelFront every month, but this one stands out. The combination of the exterior with the AVID1 AV20 creates a look that balances aggression with elegance.
Fitment Breakdown: AVID1 AV20 on the Kia Optima LX 2013
I walked around this Optima for ten minutes straight at the meet. Putting 18x8.5 AVID1 AV20s on a 2013 LX is a massive upgrade over those factory plastic hubcaps. The 33 offset pushes the wheels right to the edge of the fenders. It creates that flush look every car guy chases.
The +33 offset sits perfect on this platform. It clears the stock front calipers without needing any spacers. I checked the back of the spokes and there is plenty of room for the brake assembly. You get a nice concave profile from the AV20 design that you just do not see on stock wheels.
Those lowering springs really tie the whole package together. They kill that nasty factory wheel gap that ruins the Optima's lines. The car sits low enough to look aggressive but stays practical for daily driving. It handles the bumps without shredding the tire sidewalls on the fenders.
Watch out for the inner fender liners on the front during tight turns. Since we pushed the wheels out to +33, you might hear a slight rub if you hit a massive dip while steering hard. It is nothing a little heat gun work on the plastic liner cannot fix. Most of the time, the clearance is spot on.
The 8.5-inch width provides a solid footprint for the road. You get a much wider patch of rubber hitting the asphalt compared to the skinny OEM tires. It plants the car firmly through the corners. The car feels more confident and eager to turn in.
I looked closely at the hub bore and fitment. You will want to run hub-centric rings to ensure everything stays vibration-free. AVID1 makes these wheels with a universal feel, but the rings make them feel factory-tight. Never skip the rings if you want a smooth ride at highway speeds.
The barrel lip on the AV20 gives the wheel a deeper look than the specs suggest. It draws your eye toward the center cap. It is a clean, simple design that does not overwhelm the Optima's front-wheel-drive proportions. The whole setup looks like it should have come from the factory this way.
What We Recommend for Kia Optima LX 2013 Owners
If you want this look, start with an 18x8.5 square setup. Staggered setups on a front-wheel-drive Kia are a waste of time and money. You want to be able to rotate your tires for even wear. A square setup keeps the handling predictable and balanced.
Stick to a +33 to +38 offset for the best results. Anything higher than +38 will tuck the wheels too deep into the fenders and look weak. Anything lower than +30 might poke too far and cause rubbing issues with your tires. The +33 sweet spot we used here is my personal favorite.
Do not go crazy with tire stretch if this is your daily driver. A 225/45/18 or 235/40/18 tire fits these wheels perfectly. You get enough sidewall protection against potholes. It keeps your wheels safe from road damage while filling the arch nicely.
Many guys make the mistake of buying cheap lug nuts that strip out. Buy a set of quality steel extended lug nuts to match the wheel finish. They look better and hold the wheel much more securely than the soft aluminum junk. It is a small detail that makes a big difference.
If you decide to go lower than these springs, consider rolling your fenders. You might need to adjust your alignment camber to keep the tires from chewing the fenders on hard bumps. A little negative camber goes a long way toward fitting wider wheels. Just keep the alignment specs within a reasonable range so you do not burn through tires in a month.
Style and Build Analysis
The Gunmetal finish on these AV20s is a brilliant choice for this Optima. It provides a moody, tactical contrast against the paint. Black wheels often disappear into the tires, but this Gunmetal hue pops under the sun. It highlights the intricate spoke pattern of the wheel.
The AV20 design features a multi-spoke layout that feels inspired by motorsports. It gives the Kia a sporty, rally-bred aesthetic. It transforms the car from a boring family sedan into something that looks like it belongs on a mountain pass. The wheels add a sense of movement even when the car is parked.
I love how the stance changes the car's silhouette. The drop from the springs brings the body closer to the tarmac, emphasizing the length of the Optima. The wheels fill the arches just enough to look purposeful. It avoids that slammed, broken look while still maintaining a sharp, modified appeal.
Compared to other Optima builds I have seen, this one wins on simplicity. There are no tacky decals or oversized wings here. The wheels carry the entire weight of the visual aesthetic. It shows that you do not need a widebody kit to make a Kia stand out at a local car meet.
The proportions are just right for this chassis. The Optima is a long car with a wide rear deck, and these 18-inch wheels fill the space perfectly. They don't look too small, and they certainly don't look like dubs that belong on an SUV. Everything about the visual weight feels balanced and deliberate.
Why We Love This Build
I cannot stop staring at the way the light catches the Gunmetal finish of these AVID1s. The wheels pull the whole Optima together and give it a personality it was missing from the factory. It’s clean, it’s aggressive, and it’s done with real taste.
Watching this thing pull out of the lot, you can see how the wheels sit perfectly flush with the body lines. The drop on the springs makes the stance look hunkered down and ready for action. It’s a masterclass in how to mod a sedan without going overboard.
This car proves that you don't need a huge budget to turn heads. It’s a simple, effective recipe that makes a world of difference. Go get your own set and fix that wheel gap today.
Full Specs Breakdown
Here is exactly what this owner is running. We break down every detail so you can replicate this build or use it as a starting point for your own setup.
- Car Make & Model: Kia Optima LX 2013
- Vehicle Color:
- Wheel Brand & Model: AVID1 AV20
- Wheel Size: 18×8.5 / 18×8.5
- Offset: 33 / 33
- Wheel Finish: Gunmetal
- Tires: Waterfall Eco Dynamic 235/40 25.4″x9.3″ / 235/40 25.4″x9.3″
- Suspension: Lowering Springs
Before You Buy: Fitment Checklist
We talk to Kia Optima LX owners every day. These are the questions we hear most before they pull the trigger on new wheels.
Will 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-inch wheels fit my Kia Optima LX? Yes, but fitment depends on width, offset, and tire size working together. A wrong offset means rubbing. A wrong tire size means poor handling. Always verify all three.
Do I need to modify my fenders? That depends on your offset and suspension. A conservative offset with stock ride height usually fits without modification. Go aggressive and you may need to roll or pull your fenders.
Can I daily-drive this setup? Absolutely. Thousands of Kia Optima LX owners run 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-inch wheels every day. The key is choosing the right tire with enough sidewall to absorb road imperfections.
