2011 Kia Optima test drive

Not long ago, I reviewed the all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata, and heaped about as much praise on it as I know how. But now that the all-new Kia Optima has come along, I find myself in a rather awkward situation: Even though the two cars are pretty much the same under the skin -- Kia is a division of Hyundai -- I like the Optima just a wee bit better. But does that mean the 2011 Kia Optima is right for you? Read on.

Let me start by recapping everything I like about the Sonata that also applies to the Optima. First, there's the powertrain lineup: Base engine for both cars is a 2.4 liter 4-cylinder, although the Kia's is slightly more powerful (200 hp vs. 198 for the Sonata) and has different EPA fuel economy estimates (24/34 city/highway vs. 22/35; my automatic test car averaged 25.7 MPG with most of my driving in town.) Like the Sonata, the Optima is offered with a turbocharged four-cylinder that uses less gas than a traditional V6, and a hybrid version is on the way.

Second thing is the value: Both cars are a great deal, though the entry-level Optima -- $19,690 with a stick-shift, air conditioning and Bluetooth, but no cruise control -- undercuts the Sonata by $455. I tested a nicely-loaded EX model with leather, navigation, auto-dimming rear view mirror, heated and cooled front seats, heated back seats, and a fantastic double-pane sunroof. I asked my wife Robin to guesstimate the price. She's pretty good, but the Optima had her fooled -- she said $31,000, buy my test car stickered for $27,515.

But let's talk about where the two cars diverge. The Optima's styling is cleaner and a bit more understated than the Sonata; both are handsome, but I prefer the Optima. Same for the cabin, where the Optima is Ikea to the Sonata's Chippendale. I like the clean, contemporary cabin, although I had mixed feelings about the center stack, which is angled towards the driver. It was great when I was in the left seat, but riding in the passenger's seat made me feel like I had to ask permission before futzing with the air conditioning or the stereo. And speaking of the seats, I do wish the front seats' bottom cushions were a tad longer -- they could do with more thigh support. As for back seat room and trunk space, the Kia Optima does the job just as well as the Sonata, and better than many of its competitors.

But it's the quality of the interior that has to be seen to be believed. Hyundai has been steadily improving their cars for the last five or six years, so I wasn't much surprised by the Sonata -- but Kia has made the same transition virtually overnight, and I was amazed at the quality. Everything looks, feels and moves with precision and quality -- Toyota quality. Truly astounding.

The Optima is tuned for sportier handling than the Sonata. Better handling is always a good thing in my book, and I wasn't put off by the slightly firmer ride. But I was put off by the firmer steering. The extra heft is nice in the curves, but it feels too heavy for simply tooling down the freeway -- keeping a car on course shouldn't require so much muscle.

As with the Sonata, I'd stop short of calling the Optima my favorite mid-size sedan -- I still have a soft spot for the Mazda6, which I think is more fun to drive. But the Kia Optima runs a close second. It's got all the space and practicality I expect from a mid-sizer, with good power, great fuel economy, attractive styling and an even more attractive price tag. All in all, this is a truly outstanding car. -- Aaron Gold