Compare 2012 Hyundai Sonata vs 2012 Kia Optima vs 2012 Volkswagen Passat

2012 Hyundai Sonata
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2012 Kia Optima
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2012 Volkswagen Passat
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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
4-Door Sedan 2.0L DSG TDI SE w/Sunroof
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.0L DSG TDI SE w/Sunroof 30 40 $26,752 $27,895
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.0L DSG TDI SE w/Sunroof & Nav 30 40 $28,286 $29,495
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.0L DSG TDI SEL Premium 30 40 $30,876 $32,195
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.0L Manual TDI SE 31 43 $24,929 $25,995
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.5L Automatic S 22 31 $20,802 $21,690
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.5L Automatic S PZEV 22 31 $20,802 $21,690
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.5L Automatic S w/Appearance 22 31 $21,760 $22,690
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.5L Automatic S w/Appearance PZEV 22 31 $21,760 $22,690
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.5L Automatic SE 22 31 $23,808 $24,825
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.5L Automatic SE PZEV 22 31 $23,808 $24,825
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.5L Automatic SE w/Sunroof 22 31 $24,575 $25,625
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.5L Automatic SE w/Sunroof & Nav 22 31 $25,696 $26,795
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.5L Automatic SE w/Sunroof & Nav PZEV 22 31 $25,696 $26,795
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.5L Automatic SE w/Sunroof PZEV 22 31 $24,575 $25,625
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.5L Automatic SEL 22 31 $27,230 $28,395
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.5L Automatic SEL PZEV 22 31 $27,230 $28,395
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.5L Automatic SEL Premium 22 31 $28,670 $29,895
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.5L Automatic SEL Premium PZEV 22 31 $28,670 $29,895
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.5L Manual S 22 32 $19,746 $20,590
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.5L Manual S PZEV 22 32 $19,746 $20,590
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.5L Manual SE 22 32 $22,752 $23,725
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.5L Manual SE PZEV 22 32 $22,752 $23,725
Passat 4-Door Sedan 3.6L V6 DSG SE w/Sunroof 20 28 $27,806 $28,995
Passat 4-Door Sedan 3.6L V6 DSG SE w/Sunroof & Nav 20 28 $29,341 $30,595
Passat 4-Door Sedan 3.6L V6 DSG SEL Premium 20 28 $31,600 $32,950
Pricing
Invoice Price
$26,345
$23,455
$26,752
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$28,195
$25,100
$27,895
Monthly Payment Estimate
$470 / month
$418 / month
$465 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
8.6
8.6
7.8
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. A massive rear seat and better-than-hybrid highway fuel economy mask the slight loss of refinement and nimble road feel in the 2012 Volkswagen Passat.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
22 mpg 22 mpg 30 mpg
Highway
34 mpg 34 mpg 40 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Large Cars Midsize Cars Mid-Size
Interior Dimensions
Second Leg Room (in)
34.6 34.7 39.1
Front Head Room (in)
38.2 40.0 38.3
Second Hip Room (in)
54.9 54.5 - TBD -
Front Shoulder Room (in)
57.9 57.2 56.9
Passenger Volume (ft³)
103.8 102.2 102.0
Second Head Room (in)
37.2 37.6 37.8
Second Shoulder Room (in)
56.7 55.7 57.0
Front Leg Room (in)
45.5 45.5 42.4
Passenger Capacity
5 5 5
Front Hip Room (in)
55.2 54.7 - TBD -
Exterior Dimensions
Liftover Height (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
72.2 72.1 72.2
Track Width, Front (in)
62.5 62.8 62.1
Min Ground Clearance (in)
5.5 5.3 5.4
Length, Overall (in)
189.8 190.7 191.6
Height, Overall (in)
57.9 57.3 58.5
Track Width, Rear (in)
62.5 62.8 61.0
Wheelbase (in)
110.0 110.0 110.4
Cargo Area Dimensions
Trunk Volume (ft³)
16.4 15.4 15.9
Brakes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
11.8 x 1.1 12.6 x - TBD - 12.3 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 - 10.7 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
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
18.5 18.5 18.5
Steering
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)
2.94 2.9 3.0
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
- TBD - - TBD - NA
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
14.5 - TBD - 16.4
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
35.8 35.8 36.4
Steering Type
Pwr Rack & Pinion Pwr Rack & Pinion Pwr Rack & Pinion
Tires
Rear Tire Size
P225/45R18 P215/55R17 P215/55HR17
Rear Tire Order Code
NA NA NA
Front Tire Size
P225/45R18 P215/55R17 P215/55HR17
Spare Tire Size
T125/80D16 Compact - TBD -
Front Tire Order Code
NA NA NA
Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA NA
Trailering
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
3452 3385 3397
Wheels
Front Wheel Material
Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum
Spare Wheel Material
Steel - TBD - - TBD -
Front Wheel Size (in)
18 x 7.5 17 x 6.5 17 x - TBD -
Spare Wheel Size (in)
Compact Compact - TBD -
Rear Wheel Material
Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum
Rear Wheel Size (in)
18 x 7.5 17 x 6.5 17 x - TBD -
Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
2.8 3.5 9.2
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
- TBD - 600 - TBD -
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
110 110 140
Engine
Fuel System
Direct Injection Direct Injection Direct Injection
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
269 @ 1750-4500 269 @ 1750 236 @ 1500-2500
Engine Order Code
NA NA NA
Displacement
2.0L/122 2.0L/122 2.0L/120
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
274 @ 6000 274 @ 6000 140 @ 4000
Engine Type
Turbocharged Gas I4 Turbocharged Gas I4 Turbocharged Diesel I4
Mileage
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
26 26 34
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
34 34 40
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
22 22 30
Transmission
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.39 1.38 0.90
Trans Description Cont.
Automatic w/manual shift Automatic w/manual shift Automatic w/Manual Shift
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.77 0.77 0.76
First Gear Ratio (:1)
4.65 4.65 3.46
Clutch Size (in)
NA NA NA
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.84 1.84 1.30
Trans Type
6 6 6
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.00 1.00 0.91
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA NA
Reverse Ratio (:1)
3.39 3.39 3.99
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
2.83 2.83 2.05
Trans Order Code
NA NA NA
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
2.89 2.88 4.12, 3.04
Summary
Vehicle Name
Hyundai Sonata Kia Optima Volkswagen Passat
Body Style
4 Door Sedan Sedan 4 Door Sdn
Suspension
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)
0.59 - TBD - - TBD -
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
NA w/Coil Springs NA
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
- TBD - - TBD - NA
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)
0.94 - TBD - - TBD -
Suspension Type - Rear
Multi-Link Multi-Link 4-Link
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
NA w/Coil Springs NA
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
- TBD - - TBD - NA
Suspension Type - Front
MacPherson MacPherson Strut MacPherson Strut
Emissions
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
7.1 7.1 5.0
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
6 6 7
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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