Topic: Hyundai Sonata against Kia Optima [w/poll]

[MKII]

The boys from Inside Line decided to pit the two sedans, which share most major components and assemblies, against each other in a no-holds-barred fight for supremacy. Not surprisingly – both use 2.4-liter four cylinder engines (plus or minus California emissions...) and six-speed automatic transmissions, and both weight nearly the same


http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/15/korean-war-inside-line-pits-hyundai-sonata-against-kia-optima/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Myself I would have a tough time deciding. I favor the exterior design of the Optima, but respect the metal bending Hyundai is doing with their exterior design.  Interior choice is the Sonata,  not a fan of the inside of the Optima at all.

InsideLine test and results here http://www.insideline.com/kia/optima/2011/2011-hyundai-sonata-vs-2011-kia-optima-comparison-test.html

[Shnak]

Might be an optical illusion, the the Optima looks to have a slightly higher roofline than the Sonata does, that would result in more headroom space for rear passengers.



With that said, I much prefer the exterior look of the Sonata. As for the interior, while I would be happy with either, I think I prefer the Optima by a little bit. It looks more teutonic to me, which I always like.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I generally prefer Kia's styling direction over Hyundai's (Sportage over Tucson, etc), but the exterior of the Optima looks a little clumsy here and there. Still, I prefer the Kia's interior by a fair margin and from the article would prefer the way it drives too. Did not like the steering feel nor the overly bright blue backlighting in my Sonata rental.

[Weels]

I prefer the Kia - the Sonata is a bit overdone with the swoops & curves.  It looks ok in darker colours, but in white or silver it really looks like someone in the styling dept tried way to hard.
The view from the rear is great though.   I've seen a Sonata in a parking lot a couple of times and wasn't sure what I was looking at until I saw the big H on the trunk lid.   I don't recall ever seeing an Optima on the road yet

[dkaz]

The Kia, hands down, it's Saab 9-5-esque but that's the attraction of it. If it drives reasonably as sporty, I'm sold. The 2011 9-5 is beautiful but a bit out of my budget (just a bit).

[aaronk]

To be honest, I'm not a big fan of either. If I was forced to pick, it'd be the Kia.

[gotak]

Too bad there are so few Kia dealers. If I were to pick and the price were similar I think I'd have went for the Sonata (actually I almost did just 3 months ago).

These cars are really nice for what you pay.

[neil]

$4000 more for the KIA as tested.  They should of dug up a TurboS to compare, they would have priced out close.

[Erik]

Kia for me too. Just prefer the styling. Wonder if it will win the sales awards over the Sonata? Sonata sales seem a bit flat.

[Jaeger]

$4000 more for the KIA as tested.  They should of dug up a TurboS to compare, they would have priced out close.

Yep - not a particularly balanced comparison.  For the price of this normally aspirated Kia, I'd rather have a Turbo Sonata.

That said, I think both look good - yet very different from each other both inside and out.  For those taking notes, this is what distinguishes "platform sharing" from "badge engineering".

Jaeger

[tortoise]

Wonder if it will win the sales awards over the Sonata?

I wonder this too.  It seems like an odd strategy for Hyundai to have two cars that are so similar.   It worked so well for GM, right?

I think they would have been wise to differentiate the two a little more.

[Dante]

I don't know if they could've done anything more than what they already did when they have 2 mainstream brands competing against each other in the same segment.
By the same token, Forte competes with Elantra, Sportage with Tucson, Sorento with Santa Fe, Rio with Accent. Not much they can do about it.

Given the two choices, I think I would pick Sonata.

[Jaeger]

I wonder this too.  It seems like an odd strategy for Hyundai to have two cars that are so similar.   It worked so well for GM, right?

I think they would have been wise to differentiate the two a little more.

Given a common platform and the fact that they are similarly sized sedans, how could these two be any more dissimilar?  Exterior and interior look completely different to me.  In fact, it doesn't look to me like they could share a single body panel in common. Perhaps you are placing too much emphasis on the identical paint? 

Hyundai is selling a bunch of Sonatas.  If they sell a bunch more Optimas, how is that bad?  Sure, the Optima will inevitably cannibalize some Sonata sales, but the net result will likely be a bigger piece of the midsize pie gobbled by these siblings.

Jaeger

[Shnak]

Wonder if it will win the sales awards over the Sonata?

I wonder this too.  It seems like an odd strategy for Hyundai to have two cars that are so similar.   It worked so well for GM, right?

I think they would have been wise to differentiate the two a little more.

The difference is that Hyundai doesn't entirely control Kia, only 45% IIRC. Kia is its own entity and can decide to do whatever it wants. To a certain point, of course... if they off Hyundai and start making them look bad on a permanent basis, Hyundai could look to get rid of their Kia shares.

[safristi]

oh so that's wot a shares platform Is

[5 Wheel Drive]

I think I prefer the Sonata.  I like the interior of the Sonata better.  I like the front end styling of the Optima better.  There's something a little awkward, to me, about the side profile of the Optima.  It's the way the window on the back door swoops up.  It just looks awkward to me.

[Jaeger]

I think I prefer the Sonata.  I like the interior of the Sonata better.  I like the front end styling of the Optima better.  There's something a little awkward, to me, about the side profile of the Optima.  It's the way the window on the back door swoops up.  It just looks awkward to me.

That's the point I have questions about, too.  I also find the front end a little too Accord-ish.  Still, I think it's a handsome vehicle overall and I look forward to checking one out in person.

Jaeger

[Shnak]

I think I prefer the Sonata.  I like the interior of the Sonata better.  I like the front end styling of the Optima better.  There's something a little awkward, to me, about the side profile of the Optima.  It's the way the window on the back door swoops up.  It just looks awkward to me.

That's the point I have questions about, too.  I also find the front end a little too Accord-ish.  Still, I think it's a handsome vehicle overall and I look forward to checking one out in person.

Jaeger

Those swooping up rear windows remind me of the Lexus LS.