2019 Kia Optima vs 2020 Toyota Corolla

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 was the most expensive, topping $42,000 with all options included. The SX Turbo trim, with its blacked-out exterior, machined-face 18-inch aluminum wheels, red brake calipers, and extra-cost white pearl paint, looked like a stealthy sports sedan. Inside, black leather with red inserts, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and upgraded instrumentation added to its racy appearance.

In contrast, the 2020 Toyota Corolla's design was less universally appealing, with a look that some compared to malevolent aliens. However, the SE or XSE trims with the attractive Celestite paint color improved its appearance significantly. The Corolla's interior quality saw a notable improvement, with soft-touch surfaces replacing the cheap, hard plastics of the previous version. The XSE trim featured a more powerful 169-hp engine, a sophisticated CVT with paddle shifters, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Despite these upgrades, the Corolla's transmission shifter felt less solid compared to competitors. The base price started at $19,600, with the XSE trim costing around $28,800 with top options. The Corolla XSE's driving dynamics were well-tuned, offering a smooth and stable ride, but the lack of a turbocharger limited its acceleration capabilities.

The 2019 Kia Optima offered a range of five different engines, including hybrid powertrains. The base LX and sporty S trims featured a 185-hp, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, while the mid-grade EX Turbo had a fuel-efficient 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 178 hp. 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, with its 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, delivered 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 trim featured a unique rack-mounted electrically assisted steering system, providing better feel at the wheel. However, the steering lacked crispness on mountain roads, and the brakes, while effective under typical conditions, heated up and faded during aggressive driving. The sport-tuned suspension offered a firm yet communicative ride, but excess body motion reduced confidence on challenging roads.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla, on the other hand, came with a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 139 hp for the L, LE, and XLE trims. The SE and XSE trims featured a more powerful 169-hp, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and a sophisticated CVT with paddle shifters. The XSE trim's driving dynamics were well-tuned, offering a smooth and stable ride thanks to the independent rear suspension. However, the Corolla XSE struggled with acceleration, lacking the power to take advantage of traffic gaps or climb mountains quickly. The CVT performed unobtrusively during commutes, but the powertrain was not ready for dynamic driving. The Corolla XSE was EPA-rated at 31 mpg city, 38 highway, and 34 combined, but real-world testing yielded 29.8 mpg.

The 2019 Kia Optima excelled as a daily driver, offering comfort, simplicity, and ample storage space. The controls were logically laid out, clearly marked, and easy to use. The Optima featured a spacious 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 were also available. The Smart Trunk feature automatically popped the trunk lid when standing behind the car with the key fob, though it could be turned off if needed.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla, despite being a compact car, offered a roomy interior officially rated as midsize by the EPA. However, the lack of rear air-conditioning vents, USB charging ports, and privacy-tinted rear glass made it less comfortable for rear passengers, especially during a Southern California heat wave. The front seat lacked a height adjuster, making it less comfortable for shorter drivers. The back seat was comfortable with decent legroom, but taller passengers might find headroom lacking. The Corolla's trunk space measured 13.1 cubic feet, sufficient for a couple of suitcases and additional bags. However, the lack of storage bins and small cupholders were notable drawbacks.

The 2019 Kia Optima came with a generous standard infotainment system, including an 8-inch touchscreen display, UVO technology, 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, while the SX Turbo included a navigation system, HD Radio, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. The UVO eServices technology ran on the smartphone's data plan, and a new smartphone app provided remote access to certain vehicle functions.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla featured the next-generation Entune 3.0 infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay compatibility but no Android Auto. The system included Amazon Alexa compatibility, Siri Eyes Free, a 3-year free trial of Scout GPS Link, Safety Connect services, and a 6-month free trial of WiFi Connect. The LE trim and higher featured an 8-inch display and an additional USB charging port. The Entune 3.0 Plus system added advanced voice recognition, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Service Connect services, Remote Connect services, dynamic navigation, Destination Assist Connect, and a JBL premium sound system for XLE and XSE trims.

The 2019 Kia Optima included a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance and collision-avoidance systems, making it a great value for families. Standard features 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-notch crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with only a few minor exceptions.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla came with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, which included low-light pedestrian detection, daytime cyclist detection, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. The Lane Tracing Assist technology worked with adaptive cruise control to keep the car centered in its lane. The Corolla also featured a blind-spot monitoring system, standard for XLE and XSE trims and optional for LE and SE trims. The NHTSA gave the Corolla a 5-star rating for frontal-impact protection, and the IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick for 2019.