2019 Kia Optima vs 2019 Toyota Camry

High levels of initial quality, reliability, and dependability have made the Toyota Camry one of the top-selling vehicles of all time. Camry loyalists still see it as the best-made sedan on the market but, recent quality surveys now point to a serious challenger. The KIA Optima stands up well to the Camry when it comes to initial quality, standard features, and overall cost of ownership. With the Optima's MSRP at about ten to fifteen percent less than that of the Camry, the next question buyers ask is "which sedan offers more for the money." To answer that question, here's a head to head comparison of the entertainment, technology, interior, safety, and performance features of the base trims of the Kia Optima LX vs. the Toyota Camry LE.

While the Forte and Corolla match up nicely in most categories, the Forte does seem to have an edge when it comes to standard features, as witnessed by the chart below.

Entertainment and Technology

Both the 2019 Forte and 2019 Corolla start with fairly good entertainment systems that the average buyer will be more than happy with. Each comes with a six-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA premium sound system, available SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling and music streaming, and colour touchscreen controls.

Interior

Even for base trims, the Optima LX and Camry LE offer an exceptional level of comfort. Steering-wheel audio controls, premium cloth upholstery, air conditioning, and heated front seats are all standard on both models.

Safety

Both Kia and Toyota make some of the safest vehicles on the road today. The 2019 Optima, as well as the 2019 Camry, comes with electronic stability control, child protector rear door locks, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, and hill-assist control.

Performance

For 2019, the Optima LX and Camry LE each come equipped with somewhat similar powertrains - a four-cylinder, DOHC 16-valve engine mated to an automatic transmission. Both use regular unleaded and get exceptional fuel economy, as well. But, thanks to its "Drive Mode Select" feature, the Optima gets the clear nod in this category. Drive Mode Select lets drivers regulate the Optima's steering and suspension systems to match their current driving conditions. Choices are Normal, Sport, Eco, and the recently added Snow mode.

Other than style and price, buyers might be hard pressed to choose between this year's Optima LX and Camry LE. The chart below may help:

The 2019 Kia Optima	Vs.	The 2019 Toyota Camry
8-inch	Touchscreen Display	6.1-inch
Yes	Rear Camera	Yes
Yes	Heated Front Seats	No
Yes	Aux audio input port	Yes
Yes	USB audio and charging port	Yes
Yes	Bluetooth connectivity	Yes
Yes	Drive Mode Select	No
Yes	Automatic climate control	No
Yes	Six airbags	Yes
6-Speed Sportmatic	Transmission	Automatic CVT
Four-cylinder, DOHC	Engine	Four-cylinder, DOHC
Independent, multi-link, coil  springs, high performance  dampers and anti-roll bar	Rear Suspension	Torsion Beam Type
MacPherson Strut with high performance dampers, coil springs and anti-roll bar	Front Suspension	MacPherson Strut
1155mm	Front Legroom (mm)	1069mm
1475mm	Front Shoulder Room(mm)	1465mm
70	Fuel Tank (litres)	60
Yes	Headlight Escort function	No

The 2019 Toyota Camry and 2019 Kia Optima comparison chart shows a pretty tight race between the two. But, when it comes to buying a 2019 Kia Optima in Calgary, there's no comparison to South Trail Kia.