Kia Optima vs Toyota Corolla
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2027 Toyota Corolla
Overview
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Toyota CorollaSE |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | LX | SE |
| Body style | Sedan | Hatchback |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2020 | 2027 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Toyota CorollaSE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $23,390 (best) | $24,780 |
| Lowest listing price | $10,488 | $8,995 (best) |
| Median listing price | $14,117 (best) | $25,398 |
| Highest listing price | $18,000 (best) | $33,740 |
| For sale now | 8 | 260 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Toyota CorollaSE |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 29 MPG | 35 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 25 MPG | 32 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 35 MPG | 41 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 18.5 gal (best) | 13.2 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Toyota CorollaSE |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 185 hp (best) | 169 hp |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft (best) | 151 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2.4 L (best) | 2 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Toyota CorollaSE |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 15.9 cu ft | 17.8 cu ft (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,230 lbs | 3,060 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 5.3 in (best) | 5.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 110.4 in (best) | 103.9 in |
| Length | 191.1 in (best) | 172 in |
| Width | 73.2 in (best) | 70.5 in |
| Height | 57.7 in (best) | 57.1 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Toyota CorollaSE |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Rollover | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported | None reported |
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 | Kia Optima | Toyota Corolla |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LX $23,390 MSRP(Currently comparing) | SE $24,780 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | S $24,890 MSRP | XSE $27,875 MSRP |
| 3 | SE $26,390 MSRP | — |
| 4 | EX $27,190 MSRP | — |
| 5 | EX $29,310 MSRP | — |
| 6 | EX Premium $30,190 MSRP | — |
| 7 | SX $32,190 MSRP | — |
| 8 | EX $36,090 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Kia Optima8 for sale
See all
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
Toyota Corolla260 for sale
See all
Certified2025 Toyota Corolla
XLE
Ice10,119 mi$29,999Jim Coleman Nissan Bethesda
Bethesda, MD
Used2024 Toyota Corolla
LE
Classic Silver Metallic•Black53,249 mi$18,990Classic Volkswagen Gastonia
Gastonia, NC
Used2025 Toyota Corolla
LE
Black52,503 mi$21,986Eastern Shore Used Car Center
Daphne, AL
Used2019 Toyota Corolla
LE
Classic Silver Metallic•Ash70,221 mi$17,182Eastern Shore Used Car Center
Daphne, AL
Certified2023 Toyota Corolla
XSE
black43,229 mi$25,821Fred Anderson Toyota of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Certified2024 Toyota Corolla
LE
Classic Silver Metallic•black9,406 mi$23,531Fred Anderson Toyota of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Kia Optima vs Toyota Corolla FAQ
- Which is better: 2020 Kia Optima or 2027 Toyota Corolla?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2020 Kia Optima vs 2027 Toyota Corolla on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2020 Kia Optima or 2027 Toyota Corolla?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2020 Kia Optima starts lower at $23,390. Live Kia Optima listings start at $10,488. Live Toyota Corolla listings start at $8,995.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2020 Kia Optima or 2027 Toyota Corolla?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (23,390).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2020 Kia Optima or 2027 Toyota Corolla?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (42).
- Which has better electricRangeMi: 2020 Kia Optima or 2027 Toyota Corolla?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on electricRangeMi in this comparison (28).
- Which has better horsepower: 2020 Kia Optima or 2027 Toyota Corolla?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on horsepower in this comparison (245).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2020 Kia Optima vs 2027 Toyota Corolla?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Kia Optima (5/5 NHTSA overall).