2015 Kia Optima vs 2015 Volkswagen Passat

2015 Kia Optima

2015 Volkswagen Passat

Select style

4-Door Sedan EX

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Optima 4-Door Sedan EX	23	34	$22,801	$24,340
Optima 4-Door Sedan LX	23	34	$20,893	$21,840
Optima 4-Door Sedan SX	23	34	$24,133	$25,790
Optima 4-Door Sedan SX Turbo	20	31	$25,920	$27,700
Optima 4-Door Sedan SXL Turbo	20	31	$33,140	$35,500
Optima Hybrid 4-Door Sedan	36	40	$24,346	$25,990
Optima Hybrid 4-Door Sedan EX	35	39	$29,815	$32,150

Select style

4-Door Sedan 1.8T Automatic Limited Edition

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Passat 4-Door Sedan 1.8T Automatic Limited Edition	24	36	$23,011	$23,995
Passat 4-Door Sedan 1.8T Automatic Limited Edition PZEV	24	36	$23,011	$23,995
Passat 4-Door Sedan 1.8T Automatic S	24	36	$21,520	$22,440
Passat 4-Door Sedan 1.8T Automatic S PZEV	24	36	$21,520	$22,440
Passat 4-Door Sedan 1.8T Automatic SE	24	36	$25,203	$26,280
Passat 4-Door Sedan 1.8T Automatic SE PZEV	24	36	$25,203	$26,280
Passat 4-Door Sedan 1.8T Automatic SE w/Sunroof & Nav	24	36	$26,952	$28,105
Passat 4-Door Sedan 1.8T Automatic SE w/Sunroof & Nav PZEV	24	36	$26,952	$28,105
Passat 4-Door Sedan 1.8T Automatic SEL Premium	24	36	$30,486	$31,790
Passat 4-Door Sedan 1.8T Automatic SEL Premium PZEV	24	36	$30,486	$31,790
Passat 4-Door Sedan 1.8T Automatic Sport	24	36	$26,962	$28,115
Passat 4-Door Sedan 1.8T Automatic Sport PZEV	24	36	$26,962	$28,115
Passat 4-Door Sedan 1.8T Automatic Wolfsburg Ed	24	36	$23,377	$24,375
Passat 4-Door Sedan 1.8T Automatic Wolfsburg Ed PZEV	24	36	$23,377	$24,375
Passat 4-Door Sedan 1.8T Manual S	24	35	$20,465	$21,340
Passat 4-Door Sedan 1.8T Manual S PZEV	24	35	$20,465	$21,340
Passat 4-Door Sedan 1.8T Manual Sport	24	35	$25,810	$26,915
Passat 4-Door Sedan 1.8T Manual Sport PZEV	24	35	$25,810	$26,915
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.0L DSG TDI SE w/Sunroof & Nav	30	42	$29,585	$30,850
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.0L Manual TDI SE	30	44	$25,985	$27,095
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.0L TDI DSG SE w/Sunroof	30	42	$27,931	$29,125
Passat 4-Door Sedan 2.0L TDI DSG SEL Premium	30	42	$32,534	$33,925
Passat 4-Door Sedan 3.6L V6 DSG SEL Premium	20	28	$34,519	$35,995

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$22,801

$23,011

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$24,340

$23,995

Monthly Payment Estimate

$406 / month

$400 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.4

Read Our Full Review

8.0

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2015 Kia Optima meets all your needs in a sensible four-door sedan, but exceeds expectations for more flair and features.

The 2015 Volkswagen Passat provides a refreshing alternative to the usual mid-sizers, offering a huge interior and the segment's only diesel engine option.

TCC Likes

Sharp details, handsome profile
Simple, sporty dash layout
Improved seats

Expansive rear seat
Excellent turbodiesel fuel economy
Minimalist styling that should endure

TCC Dislikes

Entry and exit to the back seats
For 2015, the most aged mid-size sedan design

Styling can be plain to some
Still some grainy plastic trim
Road and wind noise are noticeable

Fuel Economy

City

23 mpg

24 mpg

Highway

34 mpg

36 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Midsize Cars

Interior Dimensions

Passenger Volume (ft³)

102.2

102

Second Shoulder Room (in)

55.7

Front Leg Room (in)

45.5

42.4

Front Hip Room (in)

54.7

Passenger Capacity

Second Leg Room (in)

34.7

39.1

Front Head Room (in)

38.3

Second Hip Room (in)

54.5

Front Shoulder Room (in)

57.3

56.9

Second Head Room (in)

37.6

37.8

Exterior Dimensions

Height, Overall (in)

57.1

58.5

Track Width, Rear (in)

62.8

Wheelbase (in)

110

110.4

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

72.1

72.2

Track Width, Front (in)

62.8

62.1

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.1

5.4

Length, Overall (in)

190.7

191.6

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

15.4

15.9

Brakes

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.2

10.7

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.8

12.3

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

18.5

Steering

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

35.8

36.4

Tires

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P215/55VR17

P215/55HR17

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P215/55VR17

P215/55HR17

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3272

3230

Wheels

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 X 6.5

17 X 7

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 X 6.5

17 X 7

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

760

330

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

150

140

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

181 @ 4250

184 @ 1500

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.4 L/144

1.8 L/110

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

192 @ 6300

170 @ 4800

Engine Type

Regular Unleaded I-4

Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.21

4.04

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

2.88

3.65

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.80

1.56

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

0.85

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.38

3.19

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.64

2.37

Trans Order Code

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.39

1.16

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.77

0.67

Summary

Vehicle Name

Kia Optima

Volkswagen Passat

Body Style

Sedan

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)