Kia Optima vs Volkswagen Passat
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2022 Volkswagen Passat
Overview
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | LX | SE |
| Body style | Sedan | Sedan |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2020 | 2022 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $23,390 (best) | $27,575 |
| Lowest listing price | $10,488 | $8,520 (best) |
| Median listing price | $15,867 | $15,493 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $18,000 (best) | $18,500 |
| For sale now | 6 | 6 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 29 MPG (best) | 28 MPG |
| City MPG | 25 MPG (best) | 24 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 35 MPG | 36 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 18.5 gal | 18.5 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 185 hp (best) | 174 hp |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft | 206 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 2.4 L (best) | 2 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 15.9 cu ft | 15.9 cu ft |
| Payload | — | 948 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,230 lbs (best) | 3,314 lbs |
| Ground clearance | 5.3 in (best) | — |
| Wheelbase | 110.4 in | 110.4 in |
| Length | 191.1 in | 193.6 in (best) |
| Width | 73.2 in (best) | 72.6 in |
| Height | 57.7 in | 58.7 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Kia OptimaLX | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 3 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | 3 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Rollover | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 4 / 5 ★ |
| 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 | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LX $23,390 MSRP(Currently comparing) | SE $27,575 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | S $24,890 MSRP | R-Line $29,575 MSRP |
| 3 | SE $26,390 MSRP | Limited Edition $30,575 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 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
Volkswagen Passat6 for sale
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Used2020 Volkswagen Passat
2.0T R-Line
Deep Black Pearl•Titan Black80,468 mi$15,990Classic Volkswagen Gastonia
Gastonia, NC
Used2017 Volkswagen Passat
V6 SEL Premium
DEEP BLACK PEARL•Titan Black99,428 mi$14,998Mazda Greenville
Greenville, SC
Used2013 Volkswagen Passat
TDI SEL Premium
Candy White•Titan Black151,519 mi$8,520McCarthy Hyundai Blue Springs
Blue Springs, MO
Used2015 Volkswagen Passat
2.0L TDI SE w/Sunroof & Nav
119,018 mi$9,999INFINITI Greenville
Greenville, SC
Used2021 Volkswagen Passat
2.0T R-Line
Pure White•Titan Black69,648 mi$18,500Barry's Chevrolet
West Union, OH
Used2017 Volkswagen Passat
1.8T SEL Premium Turbocharged Power, Leather Seats, Sunroof!
Deep Black Pearl•Cornsilk Beige102,839 mi$15,988Auto Warehouse
Fort Collins, CO
Kia Optima vs Volkswagen Passat FAQ
- Which is better: 2020 Kia Optima or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2020 Kia Optima vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat 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 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2020 Kia Optima starts lower at $23,390. Live Kia Optima listings start at $10,488. Live Volkswagen Passat listings start at $8,520.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2020 Kia Optima or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (23,390).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2020 Kia Optima or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (42).
- Which has better electricRangeMi: 2020 Kia Optima or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on electricRangeMi in this comparison (28).
- Which has better horsepower: 2020 Kia Optima or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- The 2020 Kia Optima leads on horsepower in this comparison (245).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2020 Kia Optima vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Kia Optima (5/5 NHTSA overall); Volkswagen Passat (4/5 NHTSA overall).