Price cuts on new vehicles are always good. Or are they? In the case of the facelifted 2019 Kia Optima Hybrid (the 2018 Optima Hybrid is pictured here), a $3,000 price reduction is welcomed but as CarsDirect discovered, there are some trade-offs. Unlike last year's model, the 2019 Optima Hybrid will only be available in one trim, EX, instead of the base Premium and upgraded EX.

Before you panic, note that the Optima EX's price has been reduced by $2,980. Instead of last year's $31,885 base price, that figure is now $28,905. Apparently, the base Premium Optima Hybrid wasn't selling well enough for it to continue.

At the same time, the 2019 Optima Plug-in Hybrid receives a very small price boost, from $36,105 to $36,210. But with the Optima Hybrid's nearly $3,000 price cut comes a few sacrifices (despite LED daytime running lights, heated exterior mirrors and a blind spot warning system with rear parking sensors now all standard fare). All of the following which was previously standard on the EX is now optional: navigation, 10-speaker Harmon/Kardon, audio, 17-inch alloy wheels, and 12-way power seats. If you want any of those items you'll need to fork over an additional $5,200 for the Tech Package.

However, if you further compare the EX Hybrid's updated price to that of the regular gasoline-powered Optima EX, there's serious value to be found.

The regular Optima EX begins at $27,720, (we previously tested and were impressed with the 2019 Optima SX) compared to the EX Hybrid's aforementioned $28,905 price. That's only a $1,185 price difference, a deciding factor for those who want to save money at the pump. Last year, however, the price difference between the Optima EX and Optima EX Hybrid was much bigger at $5,290. In other words, Kia has made the 2019 Optima Hybrid a better value over last year's version.

In fact, the 2019 Optima EX Hybrid may be one of the better values in the entire Optima lineup, especially when compared to the Optima PHEV's higher base price of $36,210. Do the math and that's a $7,305 difference. Of course, that's before any federal and state tax incentives for PHEV vehicles are applied.