Road Test Comparison: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited Vs. 2011 Kia Optima EX

I recently had the unique privilege of doing back to back week long road tests of the game changing family sedans also known as the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited and all new 2011 Kia Optima EX. The Sonata is already a familiar sight on American roads as this newest iteration has been such a big hit for Hyundai that it recently replaced the Nissan Altima as the 3^rd bestselling family sedan in this country.

So why am I comparing it to the 2011 Kia Optima, you ask? Well, Hyundai and Kia are essentially the same company and the all new Optima is built off of the same platform as the Sonata and uses some of the same parts. The Kia, however, is built in South Korea whereas the Sonata is built at Hyundai's sprawling plant in Alabama.

Despite all of that these two family sedans are not GM "badge-engineered" specials which may help you understand why the Sonata is clearly aimed at one buyer demographic and the 2011 Optima has its sights set on another one entirely. Let's just say one brand is clearly looking to be the next Buick while the other would rather be the next Audi.

In comparing these two models I am going to pick a winner solely based on the merit of which one appealed more to my preferences. So even though I would clearly choose one over the other that model may not be the one that appeals to you. You know, if you don't have any taste.

Exterior Styling

I am just the type of person who finds the vaguely Teutonic lines of the 2011 Optima far more appealing than the ovoid jellybean styling of the latest Sonata. Sure, the Sonata looked futuristic at first but that design is going to start to look dated very quickly. (Advantage: 2011 Kia Optima EX)

Interior Design and Quality

This is one area where I have no idea how Kia managed to squeeze in more features (cooled front seats, panoramic sunroof) and build a much more upscale feeling interior than the one in the Hyundai yet charge similar prices. But that doesn't mean that the parts suppliers used by the Sonata plant are held to the same standards as the ones working with Kia's South Korean plant.

First off, whoever was in charge of making the Sonata's red leather seats should really be fired because in my tester they looked purple and the leather already looked worn at 11,000 miles. The plastics used in the Sonata were also vastly inferior and the Kia offered superior rear seat legroom and a much airier feeling cabin.

The interior of the Optima will make you feel like you got a deal on a $35,000 car whereas the interior of the Sonata will leave you feeling a bit like you paid for a nice warranty. (Advantage: 2011 Kia Optima EX)

Pricing and Fuel Economy

This is one area in which these fully loaded test models were identical. Both shared very similar $28,000 sticker prices and featured goodies like navigation, Bluetooth, back-up camera, premium audio and leather.

They also both use the same basic 2.4 liter 200 horsepower/186 lb. feet of torque 4-cylinder engine mated to the same six-speed automatic. (A hybrid and a more powerful turbocharged engine are optional on both versions.) As such they both return 22 city/35 on the EPA scale. (Advantage: Tie)

Driving Experience

Given the fact that the Kia and Hyundai share a basic platform I just assumed that they would drive very similarly. Boy was I wrong. The Kia may feel a tad less sprightly off the line than the Sonata but it offers up a much more buttoned down and secure driving experience. The Sonata was engineered to glide over bumps but sometimes it does so with a lurch and an unsettling side hop.

Such are the dangers of calibrating a vehicle for maximum ride comfort over handling but this isn't to say the Optima has a harsh ride. On the contrary, the Optima may feel much more solid but that never translates into potholes disturbing the serenity of the cabin. This solid feeling permeates the entirety of the 2011 Optima culminating with doors that close with a "thunk" and not a "clang."

Steering feel is another area in which the Kia and the Hyundai differ like night and day. To me the Hyundai's steering felt lifeless and overboosted whereas the Optima afforded the driver nice heft and a measured amount of feel. Without question the 2011 Kia Optima EX is the best car ever to come out of South Korea. (Advantage: 2011 Kia Optima EX)

Family Friendliness

The Kia has a voluminous 15.4 cubic foot trunk but the Sonata manages to pip even that with 16.4 cubic feet. Either way you won't be left wanting for room in either vehicle. The build quality in the Kia is superior (at least in my test models) so I would always pick that model for family use but that isn't to say the Hyundai isn't built for the long haul. All I am saying is that I don't think it won't look as good at the end of 100,000 miles as the Kia. (Advantage: 2011 Kia Optima EX)

The Winner

To my eyes the 2011 Kia Optima EX is the winner in this family sedan showdown but how does it compare to the rest of the competition? Let's just say that the 2011 Honda Accord finally has something to really worry about.

Sources: Kia Motors America

Hyundai North America