2019 Kia Optima vs 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The 2019 Kia Optima, while not as groundbreaking as its 2011–2015 predecessor, still managed to capture attention with its appealing design. The car featured a trademark tiger-nose grille, sassy fender-vent trim, and an available black panoramic glass roof. With a variety of trim levels, buyers had options to find the right look at the right price. However, the availability of interior colors was limited, making it challenging to find the perfect combination. Prices ranged from $22,900 for the base LX to $35,790 for the SX Turbo with the luxurious Limited Package. The plug-in hybrid model topped $42,000 but was eligible for federal and state incentives. The SX Turbo trim, without the Limited Package, showcased a stealthy sports sedan appearance with blacked-out exterior, machined-face 18-inch aluminum wheels, red brake calipers, and extra-cost white pearl paint. Inside, black leather with red inserts, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and upgraded instrumentation added to its racy appeal.

In contrast, the 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI was all about stealth and subtlety. Its 2-box design, honeycomb grille, red accents, and twin exhaust outlets hinted at its performance capabilities. The GTI was available in S, Rabbit Edition, SE, and Autobahn trims, with prices starting at $27,595 and going up to $37,095 with the optional 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic. The Rabbit Edition, priced at $28,895, featured gloss black 18-inch wheels, a rear roof spoiler, and side mirror caps, along with unique colors like Urano Gray and Cornflower Blue. The GTI's conservative styling with a touch of attitude made it appealing, though the gloss-black trim and bunny badge on the Rabbit Edition were not to everyone's taste. Inside, the GTI's straightforward dashboard design, quality materials, and whimsical Clark Plaid cloth upholstery in the S and Rabbit Edition trims added to its charm.

The 2019 Kia Optima offered five different engines, including hybrid powertrains. The base LX and sporty S trims had a 185-horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, while the mid-grade EX Turbo featured a 178-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid models were also available, with the former returning 41 mpg in combined driving and the latter offering up to 28 miles of pure electric range. The SX Turbo trim, tested with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, produced 245 hp and 260 pound-feet of torque. The 6-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, with four driving modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart. The SX Turbo's unique rack-mounted electrically assisted steering provided better feel, though it lacked crispness on mountain roads. The sport-tuned suspension offered a firm yet communicative ride, but excess body motion reduced confidence on twisty roads. The SX Turbo averaged 23.5 mpg, just short of the EPA's estimate of 24 mpg in combined driving.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI, known for its performance, saw its turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine's output increase from 220 to 228 horsepower, with torque remaining at 258 pound-feet. The VAQ limited-slip differential, standard on all GTIs, maximized traction and reduced understeer. The GTI's handling was impressive, with the test car's Bridgestone Potenza RE97AS P225/40R18 tires contributing to its performance. Acceleration was quick, reaching 60 mph without needing third gear. The 6-speed manual gearbox, with a light clutch and short throws, made shifting easy. The GTI's lowered sport suspension provided a stiff ride, and wind and road noise were noticeable on the highway. The progressive, variable-ratio steering was responsive, and the brakes, borrowed from the Golf R, were sensitive and effective. The Rabbit Edition test car returned 25.1 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA's estimate of 27 mpg.

The 2019 Kia Optima excelled as a daily driver, offering comfort, simplicity, and ample storage. Controls were logically laid out and easy to use, with buttons and knobs limiting interaction with the touchscreen infotainment system. The spacious interior included a 15.9-cubic-foot trunk and numerous storage cubbies. Front seats offered various power adjustments, heating, and ventilation, though the standard leather felt stiff. The Limited Package upgraded to Nappa leather and added luxury features. Backseat legroom was impressive, with good thigh support and a comfortable backrest angle. Rear air-conditioning vents and quick-charging USB ports were also provided. The Smart Trunk feature, which automatically opened the trunk lid when standing behind the car with the key fob, was convenient but could be turned off if needed.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI was versatile, meeting the needs of a family while providing driving enjoyment. The front seats, with robust bolsters and available in plaid cloth or leather, were height-adjustable and separated by a sliding and height-adjustable center armrest. The thick-rimmed flat-bottom steering wheel, clear gauges, and sensibly arranged controls made for a comfortable driving experience. Storage was plentiful, with a cavernous glove box, wide and deep door-panel bins, and a smartphone tray. Backseat comfort was acceptable, though leg space was tight, and the narrow doors made exit challenging. The trunk, with a claimed 22.8 cubic feet of cargo space, seemed optimistic, but maximum cargo space with the backseat folded was 52.7 cubic feet. A pass-through allowed for carrying long items while retaining 4-passenger seating.

The 2019 Kia Optima came with a generous standard infotainment system, including an 8-inch touchscreen display, UVO technology, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Siri Eyes Free, voice recognition, a USB port, and a reversing camera. The S and EX Turbo trims added satellite radio and UVO eServices, which ran on the smartphone's data plan. New for 2019, UVO eServices included a smartphone app for remote access to vehicle functions and remote start. The SX Turbo trim added a navigation system, HD Radio, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with easy-to-find functions and flexible voice-recognition technology.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI's infotainment system varied by trim. The S and Rabbit Edition trims included a 6.5-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, and Car-Net App Connect with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mirror Link. The SE trim upgraded to an 8-inch display, HD Radio, satellite radio, and a 6-month trial of Car-Net Safety & Security services. The Fender premium sound system was available on the SE and standard on the Autobahn, which also included a navigation system. The Rabbit Edition's infotainment system was basic but functional, with some issues pairing an iPhone XS and running Pandora. The adaptive LED front lighting system was standard on all trims except the S, and the Autobahn trim offered a semi-autonomous parking assistant system.

The 2019 Kia Optima was a standout in safety, with standard driver-assistance and collision-avoidance systems across all trims. These included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Rear parking-assist sensors and a driver-monitoring system were also standard. Upgrades included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and a surround-view camera system. The Optima received top crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with only minor exceptions.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI offered forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert as a $450 option on the S trim. These features were standard on the Rabbit Edition and higher trims. The SE trim added Car-Net Safety & Security services, while the Autobahn trim included adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and an active blind-spot-monitoring system. All GTIs featured an automatic post-collision braking system. The GTI received high crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with some minor exceptions.