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

2012 Hyundai Sonata
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2012 Kia Optima
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2012 Nissan Altima
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Select style
4-Door Sedan 2.0T Automatic Limited
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Sonata 4-Door Sedan 2.0T Automatic Limited 22 34 $26,345 $28,195
Sonata 4-Door Sedan 2.0T Automatic Limited w/Wine Int 22 34 $26,345 $28,195
Sonata 4-Door Sedan 2.0T Automatic SE 22 34 $23,400 $24,745
Sonata 4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic GLS 24 35 $19,916 $20,795
Sonata 4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic GLS PZEV 24 35 $19,916 $20,795
Sonata 4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic Hybrid 34 39 $24,434 $25,850
Sonata 4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic Limited 24 35 $24,725 $26,445
Sonata 4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic Limited PZEV 24 35 $24,725 $26,445
Sonata 4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic Limited PZEV w/Wine Int 24 35 $24,725 $26,445
Sonata 4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic Limited w/Wine Int 24 35 $24,725 $26,445
Sonata 4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic SE 24 35 $21,952 $23,195
Sonata 4-Door Sedan 2.4L Manual GLS 24 35 $18,971 $19,795
Select style
4-Door Sedan 2.0T Automatic EX
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Optima 4-Door Sedan 2.0T Automatic EX 22 34 $23,455 $25,100
Optima 4-Door Sedan 2.0T Automatic SX 22 34 $24,760 $26,500
Optima 4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic EX 24 35 $21,675 $23,200
Optima 4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic Hybrid 34 39 $24,115 $25,800
Optima 4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic LX 24 35 $20,065 $21,000
Optima 4-Door Sedan 2.4L Manual LX 24 35 $19,095 $19,500
Select style
2-Door Coupe I4 CVT 2.5 S
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Altima 2-Door Coupe I4 CVT 2.5 S 23 32 $23,096 $24,640
Altima 2-Door Coupe I4 Manual 2.5 S 23 31 $22,534 $24,040
Altima 2-Door Coupe V6 CVT 3.5 SR 20 27 $26,842 $28,970
Altima 2-Door Coupe V6 Manual 3.5 SR 18 27 $28,904 $31,200
Altima 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.5 23 32 $19,699 $20,550
Altima 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.5 S 23 32 $21,290 $22,710
Altima 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.5 SL 23 32 $21,290 $22,710
Altima 4-Door Sedan V6 CVT 3.5 SR 20 27 $23,697 $25,570
Pricing
Invoice Price
$26,345
$23,455
$23,096
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$28,195
$25,100
$24,640
Monthly Payment Estimate
$470 / month
$418 / month
$411 / 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
22 mpg 22 mpg 23 mpg
Highway
34 mpg 34 mpg 32 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Large Cars Midsize Cars Midsize
Interior Dimensions
Second Hip Room (in)
54.9 54.5 47.6
Front Shoulder Room (in)
57.9 57.2 53.9
Passenger Volume (ft³)
103.8 102.2 89.3
Second Head Room (in)
37.2 37.6 35.6
Second Shoulder Room (in)
56.7 55.7 52.4
Front Leg Room (in)
45.5 45.5 42.5
Passenger Capacity
5 5 5
Front Hip Room (in)
55.2 54.7 54.2
Second Leg Room (in)
34.6 34.7 34.4
Front Head Room (in)
38.2 40.0 39.7
Exterior Dimensions
Track Width, Front (in)
62.5 62.8 61.0
Min Ground Clearance (in)
5.5 5.3 5.3
Length, Overall (in)
189.8 190.7 180.9
Height, Overall (in)
57.9 57.3 55.9
Track Width, Rear (in)
62.5 62.8 61.2
Wheelbase (in)
110.0 110.0 105.3
Liftover Height (in)
- TBD - - TBD - 26.2
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
72.2 72.1 70.7
Cargo Area Dimensions
Trunk Volume (ft³)
16.4 15.4 8.2
Brakes
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
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 12.6 x - TBD - 11.7 x 1.0
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
18.5 18.5 20.0
Steering
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
14.5 - TBD - 16.2
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
35.8 35.8 34.7
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 -
Tires
Rear Tire Order Code
NA NA NA
Front Tire Size
P225/45R18 P215/55R17 P215/55TR17
Spare Tire Size
T125/80D16 Compact T135/90D16
Front Tire Order Code
NA NA NA
Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA NA
Rear Tire Size
P225/45R18 P215/55R17 P215/55TR17
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA NA 100
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA NA 1000
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
3452 3385 3124
Wheels
Front Wheel Size (in)
18 x 7.5 17 x 6.5 17 x 7.5
Spare Wheel Size (in)
Compact Compact Compact
Rear Wheel Material
Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum
Rear Wheel Size (in)
18 x 7.5 17 x 6.5 17 x 7.5
Front Wheel Material
Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum
Spare Wheel Material
Steel - TBD - Steel
Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
2.8 3.5 8.0
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
- TBD - 600 - TBD -
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
110 110 110
Engine
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
269 @ 1750-4500 269 @ 1750 180 @ 3900
Engine Order Code
NA NA NA
Displacement
2.0L/122 2.0L/122 2.5L/- TBD -
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
274 @ 6000 274 @ 6000 175 @ 5600
Engine Type
Turbocharged Gas I4 Turbocharged Gas I4 Gas I4
Fuel System
Direct Injection Direct Injection Electronic Fuel Injection
Mileage
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
34 34 32
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
22 22 23
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
26 26 26
Transmission
Clutch Size (in)
NA NA NA
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.84 1.84 NA
Trans Type
6 6 1
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.00 1.00 NA
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA NA
Reverse Ratio (:1)
3.39 3.39 1.75
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
2.83 2.83 NA
Trans Order Code
NA NA NA
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
2.89 2.88 5.79
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.39 1.38 NA
Trans Description Cont.
Automatic w/manual shift Automatic w/manual shift Continuously Variable Ratio
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.77 0.77 NA
First Gear Ratio (:1)
4.65 4.65 - TBD -
Summary
Vehicle Name
Hyundai Sonata Kia Optima Nissan Altima
Body Style
4 Door Sedan Sedan 2 Door Coupe
Suspension
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
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
Emissions
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
6 6 6
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
7.1 7.1 7.2
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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