The Kia Optima turned into a completely different kind of car with its last redesign in 2011.
In short, it graduated from being a bland yet high-value offering to one that's top-notch, sophisticated, and full-featured.
The changes to the Optima for 2014 aren't all that significant, but it doesn't need much in styling or interior appointments to take on the latest Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, and Honda Accord--all of which were redesigned for 2013.
The Optima most directly faces the Accord, with its good compromise between ride and handling.
The all-new 2014 Mazda6 is also a strong rival in style, and it actually drives with more verve than the Optima, although the Mazda's infotainment systems are inferior to the Optima's.
The Ford Fusion is one of our favorite cars on the market, with great handling and a rakish appearance to match that of the Optima.
Meanwhile, the base Nissan Altima beats the Optima's highway mileage, with up to 38 mpg on the highway.
And as for the Hyundai Sonata, it's closely related to the Optima, but we like the Kia for its simpler, more elegant styling--that we think will age better.
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 2014 Kia OptimaBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Ford FusionBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Hyundai SonataBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Mazda MAZDA6Browse Used Listings |  2014 Nissan AltimaBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | ||||
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The 2014 Kia Optima is a sensible and spacious four-door sedan, but it moonlights as something a little more stylish and adventuresome. |
The 2014 Ford Fusion has stunning good looks, satisfying performance, and top-notch safety and fuel economy--all without skimping on the interior space and ride comfort that really means something to mid-size sedan shoppers. |
The 2014 Hyundai Sonata remains one of the best buys among mid-size sedans--although with so many much-improved rival models, it's no longer such a standout. |
The 2014 Mazda 6 is a beauty, with refined, perky powertrains and a driving experience that mostly delivers on what the exterior suggests. |
Following improvements that hit all the right spots, the 2014 Nissan Altima is a solid choice for those who don't mind a CVT. |
| MSRP From | ||||
| $21,500 | $21,970 | $21,450 | $20,990 | $22,170 |
| Gas Mileage | ||||
| 20 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 41 MPG Hwy | 21 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy | 25 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | ||||
| Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 |
| EPA Class | ||||
| Mid-Size Cars | Mid-Size Cars | Large Cars | Mid-Size Cars | Mid-Size Cars |
| Style Name | ||||
| 4-Door Sedan EX | 4-Door Sedan S FWD | 4-Door Sedan 2.4L Automatic GLS PZEV | 4-Door Sedan Manual i Sport | 4-Door Sedan I4 2.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | ||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | ||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | ||||
| Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan |
| Transmission | ||||
| Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Manual w/OD | CVT w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | ||||
| 2014 Kia Optima vs. 2014 Ford Fusion | 2014 Kia Optima vs. 2014 Hyundai Sonata | 2014 Kia Optima vs. 2014 Mazda MAZDA6 | 2014 Kia Optima vs. 2014 Nissan Altima | |
