2020 Honda Civic vs 2019 Kia Optima

The 2019 Kia Optima, while not as revolutionary in design as its 2011–2015 predecessor, still managed to capture attention with its signature tiger-nose grille, fender-vent trim, and optional black panoramic glass roof. The variety of trim levels allowed buyers to find a look that suited their taste and budget. However, the limited availability of interior colors, except for black, made it challenging to get the perfect combination. Prices ranged from $22,900 for the base LX to $35,790 for the SX Turbo with the Limited Package, and the plug-in hybrid model topped $42,000. The SX Turbo trim, with its blacked-out exterior, 18-inch aluminum wheels, and red brake calipers, looked like a stealthy sports sedan. The interior featured black leather with red inserts, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and upgraded instrumentation, making it a visually appealing choice.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda Civic was the crown jewel of Honda's lineup, offering a sharp design in three body styles: sedan, coupe, and 4-door hatchback. The sedan featured a sleek roofline, while the hatchback had a quirky tall rump. The 2019 model year brought upgrades to the grilles, bumpers, and wheels, which carried over to 2020. The Civic Si sedan had new matte-black 18-inch wheels, LED fog lights, and an updated grille. The interior was simple yet high-quality, with soft-touch materials and minimal instrumentation. The 2020 model introduced new dash accents and revised sport seats for the Si, enhancing the overall look and feel.

The 2019 Kia Optima offered five different engines, including hybrid powertrains. The base LX and sporty S trim had a 185-horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, while the mid-grade EX Turbo featured a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 178 hp. The hybrid models provided 41 mpg in combined driving, and the plug-in hybrid offered up to 28 miles of pure electric range. The SX Turbo trim, with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 245 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, delivered smooth, linear acceleration. The 6-speed automatic transmission, with a manual shift gate and paddle shifters, powered the front wheels. Four driving modes—Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart—allowed for a customizable driving experience. The SX Turbo trim had a unique rack-mounted steering system, providing better feel at the wheel, and sport-tuned suspension components for a firm yet communicative ride.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered four engines and two transmissions, all front-wheel drive. The base LX and Sport trims had a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine with 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual transmission or an optional CVT. The EX and above trims featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 with 174 hp and 162 lb-ft, while the hatchbacks in Sport or Sport Touring trims produced 180 hp. The Civic Si, with a boosted 1.5-liter engine, delivered 205 hp and 192 lb-ft, and the Type R offered an impressive 306 hp and 295 lb-ft. The Si and Type R came exclusively with a stick-shift. The Si's adaptive dampers reduced body roll, and the precise steering and torque-rich engine made it a thrill to drive. The 2020 model saw a reduction in the final-drive ratio, improving acceleration but slightly reducing fuel economy. Most Civic models with the CVT achieved at least 30 mpg city and up to 42 mpg highway.

The 2019 Kia Optima excelled as a daily driver, offering comfort, simplicity, and ample storage. The controls were logically laid out and easy to use, with buttons and knobs limiting interaction with the touchscreen infotainment system. The spacious interior featured a 15.9-cubic-foot trunk and plenty of storage cubbies. The front seats offered various power adjustments, heating, and ventilation options. The backseat provided impressive legroom, good thigh support, and a comfortable backrest angle. Rear air-conditioning vents and quick-charging USB ports added to the convenience. The Smart Trunk feature automatically opened the trunk lid when standing behind the car with the key fob, though it could be turned off if needed. Overall, the Optima was easy to live with, offering comfort, practicality, and a touch of luxury with the SX Turbo's Limited Package.

The 2020 Honda Civic made significant improvements in 2019, including a volume knob and better cupholders. The hatchback added more sound insulation, and the EX hatchback models featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The three-spoke steering wheel had controls for the central display and instrument panel, providing easy access to various functions. The center console offered configurable storage with item trays and cupholders. The Civic felt roomy for rear passengers, with two-stage heated outboard seats, though it lacked rear air vents. The trunk's cargo space was generous, with 15 cubic feet in sedan trims, 12 cubic feet in coupes, and 26 cubic feet in hatchbacks, expanding to 46 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

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

The 2020 Honda Civic's infotainment system was outdated, running slower and looking graphically dated compared to newer systems in other Honda models. The 7-inch touchscreen, standard on all models except the base LX, included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The top-end trims had Garmin-based navigation with accurate voice recognition. The Civic Si introduced Active Sound Control, which pumped fake engine sounds through the speakers, though it could be turned off. The Si also came with push-button start, keyless entry, a power moonroof, and heated front seats. LaneWatch, a camera mounted on the right-side mirror, provided a live feed of the blind spot. Automatic climate control was standard, and the Si models included Honda Sensing, leather on the EX-L sedan and hatchback, rain-sensing wipers on the Touring trim, and LED headlights on Touring, Si, and Sport Touring models.

The 2019 Kia Optima included important driver-assistance and collision-avoidance systems as standard, making it a great value for a family-size car. The advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) operated with remarkable refinement, and the car received top-notch crash-test ratings. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking-assist sensors, and a driver-monitoring system. Upgrades included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and a surround-view camera system. The Optima received top ratings from the IIHS and 5-star ratings from the federal government, except for a 4-star rating for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision.

The 2020 Honda Civic came with Honda Sensing, which included forward collision warning, emergency forward braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Improvements to the optional LED headlights earned the Civic a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for all body styles except the Type R. The Civic received the top "Good" rating in all six crash tests. The NHTSA rated the 2020 Civic five stars in all categories, except for four stars in the passenger frontal crash rating on the coupe.