2019 Kia Optima vs 2020 Hyundai Elantra

The 2019 Kia Optima brought a sophisticated design despite not being as groundbreaking as the 2011–2015 model. It still maintained striking appeal with its trademark tiger-nose grille, sassy fender-vent trim, optional black panoramic glass roof, and diverse trim levels. This array of choices allowed buyers to find the right look at the right price. However, selecting a preferred interior color was challenging except for black, as Kia limited interior color availability. Price variations ranged from $22,900 for the base LX to $35,790 for the SX Turbo with the luxurious Limited Package, and the plug-in hybrid model went up to over $42,000 with options, though federal and state incentives helped offset some costs.

The tested SX Turbo trim sported an attractive blacked-out exterior, machined-face 18-inch aluminum wheels, red brake calipers, and an extra-cost white pearl paint, all adding up to a stylish yet stealthy sports sedan appearance. Inside, black leather with red inserts, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and upgraded instrumentation enhanced its racy look. With these features, the test Optima's window sticker was $33,505, including a $925 destination charge. As appealing as the SX Turbo was, the Limited Package upgrade, with plush quilted Nappa leather, chrome details, and improved interior materials, was preferred for its luxurious touches and perceived value at under $37,000.

In contrast, the 2020 Hyundai Elantra's latest redesign came in 2017, followed by a bold restyle in 2019. For 2020, the Elantra remained visually unchanged, retaining its angular, geometric influence foreshadowing the all-new 2021 model. Available in six versions—SE, SEL, Value Edition, Eco, Limited, and Sport—the Elantra’s prices spanned from $19,300 to $24,150. A Limited test vehicle with the Ultimate Package and floor mats brought the final price to $27,630, inclusive of the $975 destination charge. Hyundai also offered the Elantra GT hatchback.

The black paint job on the Elantra highlighted its angular headlight, fog light, and wheel designs, creating a stylish yet potentially divisive small car look. The interior, with its silver trim detailing and enough hard plastic to remind you it’s a mainstream compact, conveyed an upscale appearance in the Limited trim.

The 2019 Kia Optima offered a choice of five engines, including hybrid powertrains. The base LX and sporty S trims utilized a 185-horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, while the mid-grade EX Turbo featured a fuel-efficient 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder performance at 178 horsepower. Hybrids provided a 41 mpg combined rating and the plug-in hybrid offered up to 28 miles of electric-only range. The SX Turbo test car came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine generating 245 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, delivering smooth, linear acceleration across the rev range without aggressive pushback.

A 6-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, featuring a manual shift gate and paddle shifters. Four driving modes—Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart—were available, with Smart mode often preferred for its adaptive behavior. The car averaged 23.5 mpg during testing, near the EPA's 24 mpg estimate. The SX Turbo trim offered a unique rack-mounted electrically assisted steering system, providing better feel aside from Sport mode’s artificial heft. Bigger front discs on the SX Turbo's brakes worked well under typical conditions, though they faded on twisty roads. Despite the firm and communicative sport-tuned suspension, excess body motion on uneven surfaces reduced confidence slightly.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra’s base engine was a 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder paired with a new CVT that replaced the previous six-speed automatic. Two specialty trims, Eco and Sport, provided additional engine options. The Eco model featured a 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder making 128 horsepower and 156 lb-ft of torque, with improved combined fuel economy of 36 mpg. The Sport trim delivered a 1.6-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, along with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and independent rear suspension.

The Limited test car's CVT, called an “Intelligent Variable Transmission,” employed a chain belt for improved highway efficiency and low-end responsiveness. Despite Hyundai's 34 mpg combined rating claim, real-world testing delivered an average of 29.3 mpg, slightly less than anticipated. The simple torsion beam axle rear suspension detracted from ride and handling, giving the Elantra an unsettled feel on rough surfaces, unlike the superior ride quality of the independent rear suspension on the Elantra Sport.

As a daily driver, the 2019 Kia Optima offered comfort and simplicity with well-laid out controls and limited touchscreen interaction. The spacious interior included a 15.9-cubic-foot trunk and ample storage cubbies. Front seats featured various adjustments, heating and ventilation options, and standard leather that could be upgraded to Nappa leather in the Limited Package. Rear seat passengers enjoyed generous legroom and thigh support, along with air-conditioning vents and quick-charging USB ports. The Smart Trunk feature automatically opened the trunk when standing behind the car, albeit with potential for accidental openings, but it included an interior handle for ease of use.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra, counted among the roomier compact cars, provided comfortable accommodation for four adults, with a fifth suited only for short trips. The Limited test car offered power driver’s seat adjustment, leather upholstery, and a practical sliding center console armrest. Notably, all Elantra models had a front passenger's seat-height adjuster. Dual-zone automatic climate control, a Clean Air ionizer, automatic defogging, and heated front seats were standard from the SEL trim upward. The 14.4-cubic-foot trunk was comparable to some midsize sedans, with an interior grab handle for easy closure.

The 2019 Kia Optima’s infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Siri Eyes Free, voice recognition, a USB port, and a reversing camera. Higher trims included satellite radio, UVO eServices with 9-1-1 Connect, and a remote start app. The SX Turbo added a navigation system, HD Radio, and a premium Harman Kardon audio system, all with user-friendly operation despite the unique font.

For the 2020 Hyundai Elantra, a smaller 5-inch touchscreen came with the base SE trim, while the SEL trim upgraded to a 7-inch display with enhanced features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Value Edition added Blue Link Connected Car plans for three years. Limited trims included wireless smartphone charging and a premium Infinity sound system, with the Ultimate Package increasing the screen size to 8 inches and adding navigation and Blue Link Guidance. The touch display was user-friendly, situated high on the dashboard and canted toward the driver, with support from excellent voice recognition technology.

The 2019 Kia Optima excelled in safety, offering an array of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) as standard, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The high crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA added to its safety credentials. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist were particularly helpful on long drives, operating subtly yet effectively.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra improved safety features by making Smart Sense standard across all trims, which included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and full LED headlights. The Ultimate Package in the Limited model included adaptive cruise control and pedestrian detection. The Elantra earned a Top Safety Pick from IIHS with LED headlights but scored four stars overall from NHTSA due to concerns about rear-door intrusion during side-impact tests.