Kia Optima Versus Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry & Honda Accord
When it was first redesigned in 2011, the Kia Optima leveled the playing field with the competition and other manufacturers have been trying to catch up ever since. four years later, now that the 2011 Optima is on the used car lot, how does the new 2016 Kia Optima stack up to its rivals, the Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, and Honda Accord?
In 2012, the Optima was voted “Best New Family Car” and “Car of the Year” by Motoring 2012, and was Auto123.com’s pick for “2012 Mid-size car of the year.” When it was first introduced, the Optima’s new design also garnered the Red Dot Design Award and the iF Product Design Award.
What about the competitors? The Ford Fusion was recently redesigned on the exterior for 2013, however it remains to be seen if the new design and EcoBoost engine combinations will stand the test of time. Read on to learn more about how the Camry, Sonata and Accord compare to the Kia Optima.
Breaking Down the 2016 Kia Optima Versus the Competition
Apart from an award-winning design, the Kia Optima also overtakes the competition on a number of points.
Kia Optima Performance Vs. Competition
The Optima’s standard 192 horsepower engine offers more standard horsepower than any of the competition, outdoing the Ford Fusion (175 hp), Toyota Camry (178 hp) and the Honda Accord (185 hp). The available 274 horsepower-turbocharged four-cylinder engine also provides more available horsepower than all but the Accord’s larger displacement V6, and even beats the bigger V6 in the torque department.
Kia Optima Warranty Vs. Competition
Kia’s standard warranty coverage of 5 years or 100,000 km is superior to the basic offerings by Ford, Honda, Toyota (3 years/60,000 km), while being on par with the competition by Hyundai. It’s evidence that Kia vehicles are among the most reliable on the road today.
Kia Optima Roominess Vs. Competition
When it comes to headroom, the Kia Optima provides better front headroom than the Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry, and Honda Accord, while also beating the Accord on headroom in the back. Rear legroom was comparable to the Hyundai Sonata at 880 mm. The Kia also offers more front legroom than the Fusion, Camry or Accord, tying with the Fusion for the most front space.
Kia Optima Drivetrain Vs. Competition
Part of the Optima’s appeal is its fun-to-drive combination of power and an efficient, smooth transmission. With an option for either a 6-speed automatic with manual shift mode or a true 6-speed manual transmission, you have the freedom to fly through the gears. The Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry are only available with an automatic transmission – where’s the fun in that?
Kia Optima Price Vs. Competition
A well-equipped Kia Optima is listed at a starting price of $24,795 from the factory. It fits under the wire, starting at a few hundred dollars that’s over $500 less than the starting price for the Honda Accord, and $540 less than the more expensive Hyundai Sonata. The only vehicles that offer a lower price than the Optima is the base Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry with a less powerful engine and lower warranty coverage. Which vehicle would you be the most confident in?
