2012 Kia Optima vs 2012 Mitsubishi Galant

2012 Kia Optima

2012 Mitsubishi Galant

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 ES

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Galant 4-Door Sedan ES	21	30	$20,974	$21,899
Galant 4-Door Sedan SE	21	30	$23,273	$24,299

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$23,455

$20,974

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$25,100

$21,899

Monthly Payment Estimate

$418 / month

$365 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.6

Read Our Full Review

6.8

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

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 Mitsubishi Galant has endured as a rental-fleet special, but sedan shoppers would do better with nearly every other mid-size four-door on the market.

TCC Likes

Handsome, chiseled shape
Interior looks sporty, refined
Engaging handling

SE has navigation, Bluetooth
Resilient ride quality
Good passenger space

TCC Dislikes

Seats have short, flat bottom cushions
Fast roofline cuts down on head room
Nav system eliminates UVO

Outdated powertrain
Poor driving dynamics
Gas mileage lags competitors

Fuel Economy

City

22 mpg

21 mpg

Highway

34 mpg

30 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Midsize Cars

Midsize

Interior Dimensions

Front Hip Room (in)

54.7

55.5

Second Leg Room (in)

34.7

37.0

Front Head Room (in)

40.0

39.6

Second Hip Room (in)

54.5

53.7

Front Shoulder Room (in)

57.2

57.3

Passenger Volume (ft³)

102.2

101.0

Second Head Room (in)

37.6

37.0

Second Shoulder Room (in)

55.7

56.6

Front Leg Room (in)

45.5

42.6

Passenger Capacity

Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase (in)

110.0

108.3

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

72.1

72.4

Track Width, Front (in)

62.8

61.8

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.3

5.9

Length, Overall (in)

190.7

191.1

Height, Overall (in)

57.3

57.9

Track Width, Rear (in)

62.8

61.8

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

15.4

13.3

Brakes

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.6 x - TBD -

10.9 x - TBD -

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.2 x - TBD -

10.3 x - TBD -

Brake Type

Pwr

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

18.5

17.7

Steering

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

2.9

2.94

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

- TBD -

17.1

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

35.8

38.1

Steering Type

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Tires

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P215/55R17

P215/60R16

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P215/55R17

P215/60R16

Spare Tire Size

Compact

T125/70D16

Front Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3385

3395

Wheels

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Steel

Spare Wheel Material

- TBD -

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 x 6.5

16 x 6.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

16 x - TBD -

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Steel

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 x 6.5

16 x 6.5

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

3.5

- TBD -

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

600

525

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

110

Engine

Engine Type

Turbocharged Gas I4

Gas I4

Fuel System

Direct Injection

Electronic Fuel Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

269 @ 1750

157 @ 4000

Engine Order Code

4G69

Displacement

2.0L/122

2.4L/145

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

274 @ 6000

160 @ 5500

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

2.88

3.76

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.38

0.68

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/manual shift

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.77

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.65

2.84

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.84

1.00

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.39

2.21

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.83

1.57

Trans Order Code

Summary

Body Style

Sedan

4 Door Sedan

Vehicle Name

Kia Optima

Mitsubishi Galant

Suspension

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson Strut

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

0.87

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

7.1

7.6

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

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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