Compare 2018 Kia Optima vs 2018 Mazda MAZDA6 vs 2018 Volkswagen Passat

2018 Kia Optima
X
2018 Mazda MAZDA6
X
2018 Volkswagen Passat
X
Select style
EX Automatic
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Optima EX Automatic 24 34 $24,030 $25,700
Optima LX 1.6T DCT 28 37 $23,058 $24,400
Optima LX Automatic 25 36 $21,823 $22,600
Optima S Automatic 23 32 $22,750 $23,600
Optima SX Automatic 22 31 $28,580 $30,600
Optima Hybrid EX Automatic 39 46 $28,867 $30,990
Optima Hybrid Premium Automatic 39 46 $24,390 $25,995
Optima Plug-In Hybrid EX Automatic N/A N/A $32,921 $35,210
Select style
Grand Touring Automatic
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Mazda6 Grand Touring Automatic 23 31 $27,571 $29,200
Mazda6 Grand Touring Reserve Automatic 23 31 $29,929 $31,700
Mazda6 Signature Automatic 23 31 $32,808 $34,750
Mazda6 Sport Automatic 26 35 $21,836 $23,000
Mazda6 Sport Manual 24 33 $20,951 $21,950
Mazda6 Touring Automatic 26 35 $24,269 $25,700
Select style
2.0T S Automatic
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Passat 2.0T S Automatic 25 36 $22,052 $22,995
Passat 2.0T SE Automatic 25 36 $25,217 $26,295
Passat 2.0T SE w/Technology Automatic 25 36 $28,382 $29,595
Passat 2.0T SEL Premium Automatic 25 36 $30,353 $31,650
Passat R-Line Automatic 25 36 $23,970 $24,995
Passat V6 GT DSG 19 28 $27,952 $29,145
Passat V6 SEL Premium DSG 19 28 $33,230 $34,650
Pricing
Invoice Price
$24,030
$27,571
$22,052
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$25,700
$29,200
$22,995
Monthly Payment Estimate
$428 / month
$487 / month
$383 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
7.2
6.7
6.5
TCC’s Bottom Line
The 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid is a fuel-efficient pick among mid-sizers that doesn’t wear its eco credentials on its sleeves. The 2018 Mazda 6 is a stylish, good handling sedan that finally has the underhood muscle to match. The 2018 Volkswagen Passat does little wrong, but its stoicism means it isn’t much fun.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
24 mpg 23 mpg 25 mpg
Highway
34 mpg 31 mpg 36 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Large Cars Mid-Size Cars Mid-Size Cars
Interior Dimensions
Front Hip Room (in)
56 53.5 -
Second Leg Room (in)
35.6 38.7 39.1
Front Head Room (in)
39.8 37.4 38.3
Passenger Volume (ft³)
104.8 99.7 102
Second Hip Room (in)
56 53.5 -
Front Shoulder Room (in)
58.1 55.9 56.9
Second Head Room (in)
37.8 37.1 37.8
Passenger Capacity
5 5 5
Second Shoulder Room (in)
56.4 55.1 57
Front Leg Room (in)
45.5 42.2 42.4
Exterior Dimensions
Track Width, Rear (in)
63.4 62.4 61
Wheelbase (in)
110.4 111.4 110.4
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
73.2 72.4 72.2
Track Width, Front (in)
63.1 62.8 62.1
Min Ground Clearance (in)
5.3 6.5 5.4
Length, Overall (in)
191.1 192.7 191.9
Height, Overall (in)
57.7 57.1 58.5
Cargo Area Dimensions
Trunk Volume (ft³)
15.9 14.7 15.9
Brakes
Brake Type
4-Wheel Disc 4-Wheel Disc 4-Wheel Disc
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA NA NA
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
12 11.7 12.3
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 10.9 10.7
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
18.5 16.4 18.5
Steering
Steering Type
Rack-Pinion Rack-Pinion Rack-Pinion
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
- 36.7 36.4
Tires
Front Tire Size
P215/55VR17 P225/45WR19 P215/60TR16
Spare Tire Size
NA Compact Compact
Front Tire Order Code
NA NA NA
Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA NA
Rear Tire Size
P215/55VR17 P225/45WR19 P215/60TR16
Rear Tire Order Code
NA NA NA
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
3362 3560 3274
Wheels
Spare Wheel Size (in)
NA Compact Compact
Rear Wheel Material
Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum
Rear Wheel Size (in)
17 X 6.5 19 X 7.5 16 X 6.5
Front Wheel Material
Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum
Spare Wheel Material
NA Steel Steel
Front Wheel Size (in)
17 X 6.5 19 X 7.5 16 X 6.5
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
800 - 330
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
150 150 140
Engine
Engine Type
Regular Unleaded I-4 Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4 Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4
Fuel System
Gasoline Direct Injection Gasoline Direct Injection Gasoline Direct Injection
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
178 @ 4000 310 @ 2000 184 @ 1500
Engine Order Code
NA NA NA
Displacement
2.4 L/144 2.5 L/152 2.0 L/121
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
185 @ 6000 227 @ 5000 174 @ 5000
Mileage
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
24 23 25
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
28 26 29
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
34 31 36
Transmission
Trans Order Code
NA NA NA
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.39 1.00 1.14
Trans Description Cont.
Automatic w/OD Automatic w/OD Automatic w/OD
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.77 0.60 0.67
First Gear Ratio (:1)
4.21 3.49 4.46
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
2.88 4.09 3.23
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.80 1.45 1.56
Trans Type
6 6 6
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.00 0.71 0.85
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA NA
Reverse Ratio (:1)
3.38 3.99 3.19
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
2.64 1.99 2.51
Summary
Body Style
Sedan Sedan Sedan
Vehicle Name
Kia Optima Mazda Mazda6 Volkswagen Passat
Suspension
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
Strut Strut Strut
Suspension Type - Rear
Multi-Link Multi-Link Multi-Link
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
Multi-Link Multi-Link Multi-Link
Suspension Type - Front
Strut Strut Strut
Emissions
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
6.3 6.7 6.1
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
- - 100
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
- - 100
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
- - 1000
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
- - 1000
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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