2012 Kia Optima vs. Its Competition

Meta Rating 8.6 out of 10

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Our expert editors build comparisons like this one to make it easy for you to understand the small handful of cars you should compare to whatever car you are already looking at. You get general thoughts on each car you should consider plus an easy way to compare basic information for yourself.

Marty Padgett

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Marty Padgett is High Gear Media's Editorial Director, overseeing the words that skim across High Gear Media's portfolio of automotive destinations... More

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Jan 20, 2012

The Kia Optima's successful social climbing pits it directly against some of the best-selling cars in America.

Kudos on that, and on outdoing the current Honda Accord, which still has some of the driving feel of Hondas of old, even though it's very large and in retrospect, awkwardly clothed.

The latest Mazda6 hasn't been a sales hit, but its slightly offbeat styling is appealing, and so is its crisp steering and roomy back seat.

Both the Ford Fusion and Nissan Altima match distinctive styling with good gas mileage and more responsive handling than most large family sedans.

But of all the cars it competes with, the Optima's sibling rival, the Hyundai Sonata, is most like it--though over time we've come to prefer the Optima's sparer styling and its slightly better driving dynamics.

2012 Kia Optima Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Ford Fusion Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Honda Accord Sedan Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Hyundai Sonata Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Mazda MAZDA6 Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Nissan Altima Get FREE Price Quote
Quick Specs
Meta Rating
8.6 The basics don't have to be boring: the 2012 Kia Optima evades design and driving boredom with suave looks, good performance and great gas mileage and features.	8.2 The 2012 Ford Fusion stays at the top of its game, especially as a Hybrid, with perky handling and its cut-above looks.	8.2 Though the 2012 Honda Accord now has one of the more dated four-door sedan designs--and Bluetooth connectivity remains hard to get--its comfortable interior and perky, refined performance hit the sweet spot for families.	8.6 After more than a decade on the market, the latest Hyundai Sonata's an overnight success--thanks to great gas mileage, grabby styling, and exceptional value for the dollar.	8.2 The 2012 Mazda6 is just as comfortable, practical, and refined as most other mid-size sedans, but it's a little more enjoyable to drive.	7.6 The 2012 Nissan Altima isn't as roomy as the newest mid-offerings, but as a coupe or as a sedan, it's one of the best-looking and most sporty mid-sizers.
MSRP From
$19,500	$20,705	$21,480	$19,795	$20,480	$20,550
Gas Mileage
22 MPG City / 39 MPG Hwy	17 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy	20 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy	22 MPG City / 39 MPG Hwy	18 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy	18 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy
Engine
Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas I4
EPA Class
Midsize Cars	Mid-Size Sedan	Large	Large Cars	Midsize	Midsize
Style Name
4-Door Sedan 2.4L Man LX	4-Door Sedan S FWD	4-Door I4 Man LX	4-Door Sedan 2.4L Man GLS	4-Door Sedan Man i Sport	4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.5
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity
5	5	5	5	5	5
Passenger Doors
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Body Style
Sedan	4 Door Sedan	4 Door Sedan	4 Door Sedan	4 Door Sedan	4 Door Sedan
Transmission
Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual w/OD	Continuously Variable Ratio