Hyundai Sonata vs Kia Optima
Overview | |
Years produced1989-Present | Years produced2001-2020 |
MSRP$26,900 | MSRP$22,900 |
Listings9543 | Listings4054 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews9.0 out of 10 | Expert reviews9.0 out of 10 |
Pros
Cons
| |
Reviews SummaryWhile its standout features are its value and safety ratings, in N Line trim the Sonata also offers some emotional appeal. Affordable sports sedans are increasingly rare, and aside from the Kia K5 GT and Subaru Legacy Sport, there’s little else in the 2025 Sonata N Line’s segment that gives you this much horsepower for this kind of price. Of course, there is a penalty to pay at the gas pump, but otherwise the N Line delivers. In general, new rear-seat air conditioning vents and improved crash-test ratings boost the 2025 Sonata’s appeal and while gas models aren’t very fuel-efficient, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid fares better in this respect. Verdict: Hyundai refreshed the Sonata in 2024 and improved its safety rating in 2025, keeping it competitive against midsize sedan rivals. All versions offer compelling value and are impressively safe, while the N Line model is pleasantly sporty. | |
Reviews SummaryEven though Americans appear to be trading in cars for good, the midsize family sedan looks better than it’s ever been. Nearly every choice in the segment sports impressive design, engineering, and equipment, and the 2019 Kia Optima shows just how good a typical midsize car can be. From its stylish looks and wide range of engine choices to its roomy interior and sophisticated safety technologies, the 2019 Optima is more than just a great value. It’s a great car. | |
No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine | Engine2.4L 185 hp I4 |
Drive Train | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower | Horsepower185 hp @ 6000 rpm |
MPG City | MPG City24 |
MPG Highway | MPG Highway33 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.5L 191 hp I4 | Engine Name2.4L 185 hp I4 |
Torque181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | Torque178 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
Horsepower191 hp @ 6100 rpm | Horsepower185 hp @ 6000 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City | MPG City24 |
MPG Highway | MPG Highway33 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Navigation SystemStandard | Navigation System |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall4 | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space16.0 cu ft | Cargo Space15.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight3232 lbs | Curb Weight3230 lbs |
Height56.9 in | Height57.7 in |
Length193.3 in | Length191.1 in |
Width73.2 in | Width73.2 in |
Wheelbase111.8 in | Wheelbase110.4 in |
Maximum Payload1162 lbs | Maximum Payload |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
Years produced | 1989-Present | 2001-2020 |
MSRP | $26,900 | $22,900 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 9.0 out of 10Read full review | 9.0 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
Cons
| |
Summary | While its standout features are its value and safety ratings, in N Line trim the Sonata also offers some emotional appeal. Affordable sports sedans are increasingly rare, and aside from the Kia K5 GT and Subaru Legacy Sport, there’s little else in the 2025 Sonata N Line’s segment that gives you this much horsepower for this kind of price. Of course, there is a penalty to pay at the gas pump, but otherwise the N Line delivers. In general, new rear-seat air conditioning vents and improved crash-test ratings boost the 2025 Sonata’s appeal and while gas models aren’t very fuel-efficient, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid fares better in this respect. Verdict: Hyundai refreshed the Sonata in 2024 and improved its safety rating in 2025, keeping it competitive against midsize sedan rivals. All versions offer compelling value and are impressively safe, while the N Line model is pleasantly sporty. | Even though Americans appear to be trading in cars for good, the midsize family sedan looks better than it’s ever been. Nearly every choice in the segment sports impressive design, engineering, and equipment, and the 2019 Kia Optima shows just how good a typical midsize car can be. From its stylish looks and wide range of engine choices to its roomy interior and sophisticated safety technologies, the 2019 Optima is more than just a great value. It’s a great car. |
Video | No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.4L 185 hp I4 | |
Drive Train | FWD | |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 185 hp @ 6000 rpm | |
MPG City | 24 | |
MPG Highway | 33 | |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.5L 191 hp I4 | 2.4L 185 hp I4 |
Torque | 181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 178 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
Horsepower | 191 hp @ 6100 rpm | 185 hp @ 6000 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 24 | |
MPG Highway | 33 | |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | 5 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 16.0 cu ft | 15.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3232 lbs | 3230 lbs |
Height | 56.9 in | 57.7 in |
Length | 193.3 in | 191.1 in |
Width | 73.2 in | 73.2 in |
Wheelbase | 111.8 in | 110.4 in |
Maximum Payload | 1162 lbs | |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |

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