Honda Accord Or Nissan Altima: Which One Does V-6 Better?
A decade ago, both the Honda Accord and Nissan Altima were offered in base four-cylinder versions... Read More
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SAFETY | 10 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
Five stars, overall; five stars, frontal and side impact
NHTSA
'Good,' frontal, side, rear, and roof strength; Top Safety Pick
IIHS
Both safety features and accident-avoidance features receive as much, if not more emphasis in the 2011 Kia Optima than in other mid-size sedan models. Front active headrests are standard in the 2011 Optima, along with front seat-mounted side airbags and side-curtain bags. Stability control and anti-lock brakes are of course standard, too; so is Brake Assist, and Hill Assist Control, which helps avoid rolling back when starting uphill.
The Optima has earned top five-star ratings in every test category in the new, more stringent federal tests introduced for 2011; it's also an IIHS Top Safety Pick, with 'good' scores in all tests.
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata, which is closely related structurally but far from identical, has earned 'good' ratings in all categories of testing from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), as well as the insurance-funded organization's Top Safety Pick designation.
Conclusion
In a class full of very safe vehicles, the 2011 Kia Optima will still likely manage to stand out as one of the safest.
