2018 Kia Optima Vs. 2018 Honda Accord
If you’re in the market for a midsize sedan, chances are you’re looking for a vehicle that provides a comfortable ride, plenty of convenience technology and an impressive and tested safety record. These factors are central to the midsize sedan, which is often a manufacturer’s flagship four-door car. For both Kia and Honda, this is true.
While the flagship of both companies, both the 2018 Kia Optima and the 2018 Honda Accord speak into unique design philosophies. For Honda, their design philosophy is similar across the line – build a great and reliable car, fill it with technology and make it look like a Honda product. With the 2018 Kia Optima, Kia has made a brilliant car whose alluring design carries through to the interior and features. Let’s see how the two measure up against one another.
2018 Kia Optima |
Vs. |
2018 Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| $22,500 (LX) | Base MSRP | $23,570 (LX) |
| $30,500 (SX Turbo) | Top trim MSRP | $35,800 (Touring 2.0 Turbo) |
| 6-speed automatic with OD and auto-manual | Standard Transmission | 2-speed CVT with OD |
| 5 years/60,000 miles | Bumper-to-bumper warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Standard on base model | Parking Assist | Not available on base model |
| Standard on base model | Heated Side Mirrors | Not available on base model |
| 45.5 inches | Front row legroom (higher is better) | 42.3 inches |
| 37.8 inches | Rear headroom (higher is better) | 37.3 inches |
Kia Optima Advantages Vs. Honda Accord
With its brand-new design and streamlined interior, the 2018 Honda Accord is a good car. It does laps around most of the competition. A product of Kia’s commitment to going above and beyond driver needs, only the 2018 Kia Optima manages to provide more value in the midsize sedan segment.
The Optima gives drivers several standard comfort and convenience features that are either not available on comparably-priced Accord models or available at a cost that makes them no longer within the same budget. These features include dual front touchscreens, heated side mirrors, parking assist and more.
Safety is a premium with both models that offer standard features like full-length side curtain airbags and a rearview camera.
With modest performance numbers for each model, both are available in thrilling turbocharged renditions which add cost but provide the highway-speed invigoration that comes from a turbocharged engine. With comparable horsepower and torque numbers, the advantage goes to Kia for its much better pricing on the turbocharged Optima, a full $5,000 less than the Accord.
Passenger comfort is another element that goes Kia’s direction with greater front row headroom and legroom dimensions in the Optima.
While the battle used to be between the Accord and the Camry, years of bland design and barely-incremental updates followed by an ostentatious redesign have pushed the Camry off the pedestal. Here at Friendly Kia, we see this midsize sedan class being dominated in the future by the Optima and the Accord. In 2018, you’d be hard-pressed to find better models than these two, with a slight edge to the Optima.
For more information on the 2018 Kia Optima, or to schedule a test drive, contact us today!
