Hyundai Sonata vs Kia Optima
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2020 Kia Optima
Overview
| Spec | Hyundai SonataSE | Kia OptimaLX |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | SE | LX |
| Body style | Sedan | Sedan |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2020 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Hyundai SonataSE | Kia OptimaLX |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $27,300 | $23,390 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $8,199 (best) | $10,488 |
| Median listing price | $27,982 | $15,867 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $37,156 | $18,000 (best) |
| For sale now | 130 (best) | 6 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Hyundai SonataSE | Kia OptimaLX |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 32 MPG (best) | 29 MPG |
| City MPG | 28 MPG (best) | 25 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 38 MPG (best) | 35 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 15.9 gal | 18.5 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Hyundai SonataSE | Kia OptimaLX |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 191 hp (best) | 185 hp |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft (best) | 178 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2.5 L (best) | 2.4 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Hyundai SonataSE | Kia OptimaLX |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 15.6 cu ft | 15.9 cu ft (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,232 lbs | 3,230 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 5.3 in | 5.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 111.8 in (best) | 110.4 in |
| Length | 193.3 in (best) | 191.1 in |
| Width | 73.2 in | 73.2 in |
| Height | 56.9 in | 57.7 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Hyundai SonataSE | Kia OptimaLX |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 4 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Rollover | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 1 | None reported (best) |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Hyundai Sonata | Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SE $27,300 MSRP(Currently comparing) | LX $23,390 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | SEL Sport $29,000 MSRP | S $24,890 MSRP |
| 3 | SEL Sport $30,500 MSRP | SE $26,390 MSRP |
| 4 | Blue Hybrid $29,050 MSRP | EX $27,190 MSRP |
| 5 | SEL Hybrid $32,300 MSRP | EX $29,310 MSRP |
| 6 | N Line $35,900 MSRP | EX Premium $30,190 MSRP |
| 7 | Limited Hybrid $38,100 MSRP | SX $32,190 MSRP |
| 8 | — | EX $36,090 MSRP |
Live inventory
Hyundai Sonata130 for sale
See all
Used2017 Hyundai Sonata
SE
Shale Gray Metallic•gray59,457 mi$13,925Drive Appeal
Eden Prairie, MN
Used2013 Hyundai Sonata
GLS
Harbor Gray Metallic•Gray58,570 mi$10,900Drive Appeal
Eden Prairie, MN
- New
2026 Hyundai Sonata
SE
Abyss Black•BLACK12 mi$26,161Preston Hyundai of Millsboro
Millsboro, DE
- New
2026 Hyundai Sonata
SEL Sport
Gray2 mi$27,973Preston Hyundai of Millsboro
Millsboro, DE
- New
2026 Hyundai Sonata
SE
Abyss Black•Black11 mi$26,158Preston Hyundai of Millsboro
Millsboro, DE
- New
2026 Hyundai Sonata
SE
Aero Silver•Gray24 mi$26,008Preston Hyundai of Millsboro
Millsboro, DE
Kia Optima6 for sale
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Used2019 Kia Optima
SX
Snow White Pearl•Black50,346 mi$17,446Phil Smith Mitsubishi of Lighthouse Point
Lighthouse Point, FL
Certified2019 Kia Optima
S
Snow White Pearl•Black69,814 mi$14,734Greensboro Auto Center
Greensboro, NC
Used2020 Kia Optima
LX
sangria•black114,297 mi$10,488Secret City Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Oak Ridge, TN
Used2020 Kia Optima
LX
Horizon Blue•black119,032 mi$12,500Mccarthy Chevrolet Lee's Summit
Lee's Summit, MO
Certified2019 Kia Optima
S
Platinum Graphite•black45,738 mi$17,000Fred Anderson Kia Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
- Used
2020 Kia Optima
SE
Passion Red•black38,701 mi$18,000Stanley Wood Chevrolet
Batesville, AR
Hyundai Sonata vs Kia Optima FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Hyundai Sonata or 2020 Kia Optima?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Hyundai Sonata vs 2020 Kia Optima on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2026 Hyundai Sonata or 2020 Kia Optima?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2020 Kia Optima starts lower at $23,390. Live Hyundai Sonata listings start at $8,199. Live Kia Optima listings start at $10,488.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Hyundai Sonata or 2020 Kia Optima?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (23,390).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Hyundai Sonata or 2020 Kia Optima?
- The 2026 Hyundai Sonata leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (51).
- Which has better electricRangeMi: 2026 Hyundai Sonata or 2020 Kia Optima?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on electricRangeMi in this comparison (28).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Hyundai Sonata or 2020 Kia Optima?
- The 2026 Hyundai Sonata leads on horsepower in this comparison (290).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Hyundai Sonata vs 2020 Kia Optima?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Hyundai Sonata (5/5 NHTSA overall); Kia Optima (5/5 NHTSA overall).