2019 Kia Optima vs 2019 Toyota Camry

The 2019 Kia Optima, while not as revolutionary in design as its earlier models, still managed to capture attention with its signature tiger-nose grille, fender-vent trim, and optional black panoramic glass roof. It offered a range of trim levels, allowing buyers to find a style that suited their taste and budget. However, the availability of interior color options was limited, making it challenging to achieve the perfect color combination. The price range for the Optima varied from $22,900 for the base LX to $35,790 for the SX Turbo with the Limited Package, with the plug-in hybrid model being the most expensive. The SX Turbo trim, without the Limited Package, featured a sleek blacked-out exterior, 18-inch aluminum wheels, and a sporty interior with black leather and red inserts. Despite its appeal, the Limited Package was preferred for its luxurious upgrades, including quilted Nappa leather and chrome accents, all for under $37,000.

In contrast, the 2019 Toyota Camry offered a choice between standard and sporty styling, with engine options including a 4-cylinder, V6, and hybrid powertrain. The Camry XSE with a V6 engine was quick and engaging to drive, but not the recommended trim for value. The hybrid model, while offering excellent fuel economy, required a significant upfront investment. The Camry's styling was bold but lacked cohesion, with oversized forms that didn't quite fit its proportions. Inside, the Camry XSE boasted high-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces, but some elements, like the windshield pillars and switchgear, felt out of place. The car's perceived quality was further dented by creaking front fascia and side mirrors, as well as a tinny noise from the front doors.

The 2019 Kia Optima offered a variety of engine options, including a 185-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder for the base LX and sporty S trims, and a 178-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder for the EX Turbo. The hybrid models provided impressive fuel efficiency, with the plug-in hybrid offering up to 28 miles of electric range. The SX Turbo trim, with its 245-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivered smooth and linear acceleration. It featured a 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and four driving modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart. The SX Turbo's unique rack-mounted steering system provided good feedback, though it lacked crispness on mountain roads. The sport-tuned suspension offered a firm ride, but excess body motion reduced confidence on challenging terrain. Despite these limitations, the Optima SX Turbo was enjoyable to drive, averaging 23.5 mpg on the testing loop.

The 2019 Toyota Camry's standard 203-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine was adequate for daily driving, but the 301-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 offered a more thrilling experience. The 8-speed automatic transmission provided precise shifts, and the sport-tuned suspension and 19-inch wheels ensured responsive handling. The steering felt natural, and the brakes performed well under stress, though the pedal's "thunk" detracted from the car's refinement. The Camry XSE averaged 21.9 mpg during testing, falling short of the EPA's 26-mpg estimate, possibly due to the V6 engine and air conditioning use. Despite its performance, the Camry XSE was a comfortable daily driver and a competent canyon carver.

The 2019 Kia Optima excelled as a daily driver, offering comfort, simplicity, and ample storage. Its controls were logically arranged, with buttons and knobs for easy interaction with the infotainment system. The spacious interior included a 15.9-cubic-foot trunk and numerous storage cubbies. The front seats provided various power adjustments, with available heating and ventilation. The Limited Package added luxurious Nappa leather and other premium features. The backseat offered impressive legroom and comfort, with rear air-conditioning vents and USB ports. The Smart Trunk feature was convenient but could be inadvertently triggered. Overall, the Optima was practical and easy to live with, especially with the Limited Package.

The 2019 Toyota Camry's cabin featured ample storage, including a large center console bin and a hidden compartment under the wireless charging pad. However, the glove box and door-panel storage were limited. The trunk, at 15.1 cubic feet, was smaller than competitors, and the lack of a grab handle was inconvenient. The front seats offered 8-way power adjustment and heating, but ventilated seats were unavailable. The rear seat was snug, with narrow door openings and a low seating position. Despite these drawbacks, the Camry's climate control system performed well in extreme heat, though ventilated seats would have been appreciated.

The 2019 Kia Optima came equipped with a generous standard infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, UVO technology, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more. The Optima S and EX Turbo added satellite radio and UVO eServices, which relied on the owner's smartphone data plan. The SX Turbo trim included a navigation system, HD Radio, and a Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with flexible voice-recognition technology, though the font choice was unique.

The 2019 Toyota Camry's dashboard was smartly designed, with intuitive controls and the new Entune 3.0 infotainment system. It included Apple CarPlay and a WiFi Connect service subscription, but lacked Android Auto. The test car featured a wireless charging pad and a navigation system, though the latter was slow to load traffic data. The JBL audio system was powerful but lacked clarity. A 10-inch head-up display provided important data, even with polarized sunglasses.

The 2019 Kia Optima was a standout in safety, offering a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance and collision-avoidance systems as standard. These included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Optima received top crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with only minor exceptions. The advanced safety features were refined and adjustable, enhancing driver confidence and safety.

The 2019 Toyota Camry excelled in safety, earning 5-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. It included the Toyota Safety Sense suite, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. However, it lacked the latest "2.0" version of these systems. The lane-departure warning system's beeping was an irritant, but the Safety Connect service provided additional peace of mind.