Compare 2012 Hyundai Sonata vs 2012 Kia Optima vs 2012 Nissan Altima

2012 Hyundai Sonata
X
2012 Kia Optima
X
2012 Nissan Altima
X
Select style
4-Door Sedan 2.4L Manual GLS
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
4-Door Sedan 2.4L Manual GLS 24 35 $18,971 $19,795
4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic GLS 24 35 $19,916 $20,795
4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic GLS PZEV 24 35 $19,916 $20,795
4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic 2.4L SE 24 35 $21,952 $23,195
4-Door Sedan 2.0T Automatic 2.0T SE 22 34 $23,400 $24,745
4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic Hybrid 34 39 $24,434 $25,850
4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic 2.4L Limited 24 35 $24,725 $26,445
4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic 2.4L Limited PZEV 24 35 $24,725 $26,445
4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic 2.4L Limited PZEV w/Wine Int 24 35 $24,725 $26,445
4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic 2.4L Limited w/Wine Int 24 35 $24,725 $26,445
4-Door Sedan 2.0T Automatic 2.0T Limited 22 34 $26,345 $28,195
4-Door Sedan 2.0T Automatic 2.0T Limited w/Wine Int 22 34 $26,345 $28,195
Select style
4-Door Sedan 2.4L Manual LX
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
4-Door Sedan 2.4L Manual LX 24 35 $19,095 $19,500
4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic LX 24 35 $20,065 $21,000
4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic EX 24 35 $21,675 $23,200
4-Door Sedan 2.0T Automatic EX 22 34 $23,455 $25,100
4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic Hybrid 34 39 $24,115 $25,800
4-Door Sedan 2.0T Automatic SX 22 34 $24,760 $26,500
Select style
4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.5
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.5 23 32 $19,699 $20,550
4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.5 S 23 32 $21,290 $22,710
4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.5 SL 23 32 $21,290 $22,710
2-Door Coupe I4 Manual 2.5 S 23 31 $22,534 $24,040
2-Door Coupe I4 CVT 2.5 S 23 32 $23,096 $24,640
4-Door Sedan V6 CVT 3.5 SR 20 27 $23,697 $25,570
2-Door Coupe V6 CVT 3.5 SR 20 27 $26,842 $28,970
2-Door Coupe V6 Manual 3.5 SR 18 27 $28,904 $31,200
Pricing
Invoice Price
$18,971
$19,095
$19,699
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$19,795
$19,500
$20,550
Monthly Payment Estimate
$330 / month
$325 / month
$343 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
8.6
8.6
7.6
TCC’s Bottom Line
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. 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. 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.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
24 mpg 24 mpg 23 mpg
Highway
35 mpg 35 mpg 32 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Large Cars Midsize Cars Midsize
Interior Dimensions
Front Hip Room (in)
55.2 54.7 56.8
Second Leg Room (in)
34.6 34.7 35.8
Front Head Room (in)
40.0 40.0 40.6
Second Hip Room (in)
54.9 54.5 52.5
Front Shoulder Room (in)
57.9 57.2 55.7
Passenger Volume (ft³)
103.8 102.2 100.7
Second Head Room (in)
37.8 37.6 36.8
Second Shoulder Room (in)
56.7 55.7 55.5
Front Leg Room (in)
45.5 45.5 44.1
Passenger Capacity
5 5 5
Exterior Dimensions
Track Width, Rear (in)
62.9 63.0 61.0
Wheelbase (in)
110.0 110.0 109.3
Liftover Height (in)
- TBD - - TBD - 27.6
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
72.2 72.1 70.7
Track Width, Front (in)
62.9 63.0 61.0
Min Ground Clearance (in)
5.5 5.3 5.4
Length, Overall (in)
189.8 190.7 190.7
Height, Overall (in)
57.9 57.3 58.0
Cargo Area Dimensions
Trunk Volume (ft³)
16.4 15.4 15.3
Brakes
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA NA NA
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
11.8 x 1.1 11.8 x - TBD - 11.7 x 1.0
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA NA
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
11.2 x 0.4 11.2 x - TBD - 11.5 x 0.4
Brake Type
Pwr-Assisted Pwr Pwr
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
18.5 18.5 20.0
Steering
Steering Type
Pwr Rack & Pinion Pwr Rack & Pinion Pwr Rack & Pinion
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)
2.94 2.9 2.83
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
14.5 - TBD - 16.2
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
35.8 35.8 36.1
Tires
Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA NA
Rear Tire Size
P205/65R16 P205/60R16 P215/60TR16
Rear Tire Order Code
NA NA NA
Front Tire Size
P205/65R16 P205/60R16 P215/60TR16
Spare Tire Size
T125/80D16 NA T135/90D16
Front Tire Order Code
NA NA NA
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA NA 1000
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA NA 100
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
3161 3206 3180
Wheels
Rear Wheel Size (in)
16 x 6.5 16 x 6.5 16 x 7.0
Front Wheel Material
Steel Steel Steel
Spare Wheel Material
Steel NA Steel
Front Wheel Size (in)
16 x 6.5 16 x 6.5 16 x 7.0
Spare Wheel Size (in)
Compact NA Compact
Rear Wheel Material
Steel Steel Steel
Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
2.7 3.7 8.0
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
- TBD - 600 - TBD -
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
110 110 110
Engine
Engine Type
Gas I4 Gas I4 Gas I4
Fuel System
Direct Injection Direct Injection Electronic Fuel Injection
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
184 @ 4250 186 @ 4250 180 @ 3900
Engine Order Code
NA NA NA
Displacement
2.4L/144 2.4L/144 2.5L/- TBD -
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
198 @ 6300 200 @ 6300 175 @ 5600
Mileage
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
28 28 27
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
35 35 32
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
24 24 23
Transmission
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
1.93 1.93 NA
Trans Order Code
NA NA NA
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
3.25-4.33 4.33-3.25 5.79
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.28 1.27 NA
Trans Description Cont.
Manual Manual Continuously Variable Ratio
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.83 0.82 NA
First Gear Ratio (:1)
3.27 3.26 - TBD -
Clutch Size (in)
- TBD - - TBD - NA
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.70 1.69 NA
Trans Type
6 6 1
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.03 1.02 NA
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA NA
Reverse Ratio (:1)
3.59 3.58 1.78
Summary
Body Style
4 Door Sedan Sedan 4 Door Sedan
Vehicle Name
Hyundai Sonata Kia Optima Nissan Altima
Suspension
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Suspension Type - Front
MacPherson MacPherson Strut Strut
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)
0.59 - TBD - 0.68
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
NA w/Coil Springs w/Coil Springs
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)
0.94 - TBD - 0.86
Suspension Type - Rear
Multi-Link Multi-Link Multi-Link
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
NA w/Coil Springs w/Coil Springs
Emissions
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
6.5 6.5 6.9
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
7 7 6
Crash Test Ratings
Overall Rating
Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger
Overall Side Crash Rating
Side Barrier Rating
Side Barrier Rating Driver
Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat
Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat
Combined Side Rating Front Seat
Combined Side Rating Rear Seat
Rollover Rating

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