On russian market corny "tired". Still - the model underwent its last restyling more than two years ago. During this time, she had characteristic sores, her already not very expressive appearance was outdated, and in terms of optional chips, the car is already time for improvements. What can not be said about the ambitious "Korean" - everything is on the ointment. For now, anyway.
On the other hand, why should the Japanese be afraid if they sold Toyota Camry in Russia last year than KIA sold their Optima: 30 136 against 3096 cars. Whatever the car is from the Land of the Rising Sun, it is quite difficult to throw it off the pedestal, and in general, in our opinion, you need to defend your right to leadership in any situation. However, running ahead I will say: this time not only the Toyota team will not win the battle, but also how not to lose the palm at all - the Koreans have prepared thoroughly and stubbornly go to the queens!
That only one appearance of the new "Optima" is worth - aggressive, fashionable, shocking. Especially, which was our test. Daring bumpers, graceful wheels, formidable tailpipes exhaust system, bright red wheel calipers are quite unusual for a business sedan, and even more so for a Korean one. The main thing is that it is not clumsy and not defiant - after all, Peter Schreier does not receive his salary for nothing.
What's inside? It is impossible not to notice that the design of the dashboard resembles the Bavarian BMW and Ingolsdat Audi, and we are not talking about an explicit copyright - the Koreans were quite competently able to adapt German ideas to their own style. Do not find fault with ergonomics - you can communicate with the controls with your eyes closed. In general, offset!
And such a "Toyota" never dreamed of. Judge for yourself - all-round visibility, including top view, is provided by four video cameras; wireless charging is provided for the smartphone; navigation is able to pave the shortest path to the goal, taking into account traffic jams. I'm not talking about heating everything and everyone, speaker system Harman / Kardon with concert hall sound and hands-free trunk opening. , ah well done: just a little bit more, and the Toyota people will no longer keep up!
It is clear that perfect handling is not about Koreans. But also ! If the latter have problems with the accuracy of the reaction to exercises with the steering wheel, then in the case of KIA the steering wheel is simply too light. However, you get used to it quickly enough.
The suspension is not bad, but not fully balanced - the Optima is reluctant to enter sharp turns, and when maneuvering it snaps back with a swing. But the car does not lose trajectory, as it sometimes happens with the Camry in aggressive turns (more about the test drive of the Japanese sedan). As for the irregularities, the Optima swallows them like Toyota without much discomfort.
The turbo engine about 245 "horses" is a bullet, especially in Sport mode. When starting with kIA seatsgrinding the asphalt with tires and pressing riders into the perforated leather seats, leaps forward like a hunting tiger. Harsh engine roar? No guys! Noise isolation in the new "Optima" is excellent - the Koreans paid special attention to it. The six-band "automatic" responds in a timely manner to the driver's requests, although sometimes it responds with unpleasant jerks during sharp acceleration.
Solid posture or youthful enthusiasm? Imposing movement or accelerated pace? Formal meetings or outings with the whole family? Often, we do not choose a car for exclusive purposes, but we want it to be a universal purchase. Let's try to confirm this with the example of our test drive. In the left corner of the ring - Kia Optima, in the right - Toyota Camry. Both are representatives of very different classes
Comparing appearance is a thankless task. However, the main message of the manufacturer can be traced precisely in the exterior. When you look at the restyled Kia Optima sedan, you notice an athletic physique, a lean silhouette and a scattering of LED foglights. The design of the C-pillar looks no less interesting. But it is difficult to imagine such a car as a carrier: all these touches may seem superfluous, behind which there is no proper rigor.
Camry is another matter - there is nothing superfluous in the appearance of this car. Nothing. Absolutely ... Toyota stylists were too restrained about their brainchild, being too clever with its conservative component. So much so that the gaze became nothing to catch in the negative sense of this expression - looked and forgot. It is clear that young people are not the target audience of the model, but even in the latter, gray jackets are not entirely dominant. However, Camry sedans have never been distinguished by special delicacies.
The same is the case with interior decoration... The rivals' interiors seem to come from different eras. In Kia / Kia, it resembles a cockpit with a center console deployed for the driver, and soft plastics predominate in the finishing materials. At the same time, these days there are a lot of buttons, which are also small on the steering wheel, and the leather trim of the seats is not of the best quality.
Salon Camry - separate story... Greetings from the past look not only archaic buttons and clock in the center of the dashboard, but also lurid wood inserts. In general, the architecture does not look modern. What can not be taken away is the best leather trim in comparison with Kia / Kia. However, the Camry's padded front seats still lack lateral support. In this regard, Optima / Optima helps out, but not everything is convenient here either: the seat of the "Korean" pushes the back.
With the comfort of the rear passengers, everything is exactly the opposite: due to the too overstretched backrest of the sofa, Kia has to take a reclining position, while in expensive versions of the Toyota Camry / Toyota Camry, the tilt allows you to adjust the servo.
The luggage compartments of rivals are of the same volume - just over 500 liters. Kia is distinguished by the ability to fold the backrests, despite the fact that this can only be done from the outside, from the trunk. In this case, the seat belts immediately interfere with folding the half - it is inconvenient. In Camry, the sofa does not fold out at all, and only the hatch for long items is responsible for the transformation. However, the shape of the Toyota trunk is better. Both models have a full-size spare wheel under the floor.
On the road, Camry is calm. You roll yourself, it would seem, slowly, but on the speedometer it is already over a hundred. Thanks to the noise insulation, which, unlike Optima, copes better with external stimuli, and the engine is given to the salon more moderately. The only annoying thing is the hum of the tires. In addition, the suspension of the "Japanese" perfectly filters road trifles, and in general, on a bad road, the sedan behaves more stable and feels more robust - taking care of the rear riders. back side - the steering wheel devoid of intelligible effort, due to which the car is controlled with laziness. And the steering wheel itself is of an unsuccessful shape (large and thin) and does not fit in the hands in the best way.
The steering wheel of Kia has an excellent grip, and the Korean sedan itself, unlike the Japanese one, meets the drivers' car definition in to a greater extent... There is no trace of the imposing and courteousness of the Camry, which allows for more confident cornering. But the feel of the Optima is hampered by the over-sensitivity on the steering wheel. In addition, on 18-inch wheels, the sedan shakes decently as if it were pumped on tires. Even on a relatively good road, the slightest unevenness of the roadway is kept in good shape, not allowing you to relax. And if in a turn you hit the expansion joint of the coating, then the car is noticeably rearranged. At the same time, oddly enough, the bumps are larger and artificial irregularities are passed quite gently.
The Kia Optima's six-speed automatic with Eco and Sport modes is pretty good. His switching is invisible, and in difficult situations he acts promptly and adequately. The same cannot be said about Toyota Camry: automatic transmission The Camry has just four steps and shifts in a kick-down with a delay followed by a jerk. The manual mode is also not without its peculiarities: the selector is not fixed in the selected gear, but only limits the switching range. However, such a problem should be avoided by a restyled version of the Japanese sedan.
Acceleration in stock mode is better given by the Camry, despite the loss in power (148 hp vs. 180 hp) and a less agile gearbox. Toyota's accelerator pedal is also more responsive, so it is more convenient to dose traction. However, in the spurt Optima is the leader, and it is more convenient to control the braking force behind the wheel of a "Korean". - a real business class. Three-zone climate control with a control unit in the armrest of the sofa and an electric recline of the rear backrests play into its hands in its segment. So to choose from these two representatives a universal car should be in obedience to true goals.
It should be noted that sales of the updated Toyota Camry started in December. The changes affected both the exterior and the interior. The model got LED DRLs and taillights, received new steering wheel and a combination of devices, and also received an improved noise insulation package. At the same time, heating appeared in the list of options windshield and a blind spot monitoring system. A 2.0-liter engine (148 hp) and a four-speed automatic transmission were replaced by an engine of the same volume (150 hp) with a six-speed automatic transmission. On average, prices have increased by 29-70 thousand rubles, and now the base sedan starts at 998,000 rubles.
Today, Asian cars are among the most demanded in the world market. The sales leader has always been japanese company Toyota, and recently Kia Motors joined it. Today we will just talk about the cars of these two famous concerns - we will compare Kia Optima and Toyota Camry, after which we will decide which is better.
Toyota Camry is a popular family model, produced since 1982. The production processes of the model are focused on the enterprises of the USA, Australia, Russia, and, of course, Japan. As of today, seven generations of cars have already been produced. Depending on the generation, the Camry is classified as a medium or business class. For unknown reasons, japanese car was not in great demand in Europe, and since 2004, Toyota Avensis began to be supplied to the Old World market instead.
The name of the model comes from the ancient Chinese character for the word "crown". That is, marketers thus tried to give the car even more premium. In the Russian market, the Camry is in constant demand, therefore, since 2007, the assembly of the model has been carried out in the village of Shushary.
The Kia Optima is a popular South Korean mid-size sedan, the name of which may change depending on the market in which it is sold. The debut of the car took place in 2000, and it immediately became clear that the Optima is a modernized version of the Hyundai Sonata, only with the best equipment. In 2005, the presentation of the second generation Optima took place. Car received new appearanceand new system safety, which as a result of tests received the maximum score - "5 stars".
In 2010, at the New York Auto Show, korean car third generation, which has received a new, futuristic design and improved "stuffing". In 2015, again in New York, Optima 4 debuted. Since 2016, the novelty has been supplied to the domestic market. By the way, Optima is being assembled at the Kaliningrad Avtotor.
Kia Optima or Toyota Camry? Considering the fact that the Japanese car has been on the world market for a longer time, we will give it an advantage in this point.
Appearance
When familiarizing with the appearance of the models, one can immediately conclude that they are stylistically executed in completely different ways. If we briefly describe the exterior of the Optima, then we should highlight the progressiveness and sportiness that is most visible in it. I would also like to note the high technology, which the model lacked before. But the Camry, outwardly, is a very solid and representative car, in which you can simultaneously notice both aggressiveness and inherent japanese models conciseness. Now let's discuss in more detail the appearance of each of the cars.
The front end of the Camry is more massive and imposing than that of the Optima. In the front of the Korean car, you can see a compact windshield that turns into a flat bonnet, with two longitudinal ribs that act as airflows. The Camry's windshield provides a wider view, and the bonnet is more prominent and "muscular".
On the nose of the Optima there is a stylish false radiator grille and wide concept headlights, which together form the so-called "boat", which can be seen in the Camry, but the "Japanese" car has bigger headlights. The lower part of the Camry looks much more powerful and voluminous than that of the opponent. There is a huge air intake, as well as two large and very stylish foglights. The “Korean”, in turn, has a neat flat air intake and rather compact fog lights.
On the side, cars have a lot in common. For example, these are large doors and wide side windows. But the shape of the roof of the Optima and Camry is different. If in a Korean car it is sloping and smooth, then in a Japanese car, on the contrary, the roof is directed upwards, and at about the level of the rear wheel axle it drops sharply.
At the back, the cars are also very similar except for some points. What they have in common is a compact trunk lid and a powerful rear bumper with a pair of tailpipes. The taillights, which are noticeably larger in the Camry, are very different.
It is difficult to unequivocally give priority to the exterior of one of the cars, so in this paragraph we will award a draw.
Salon
The interiors of both cars are united by the fact that it is made at a very high level. However, in terms of stylistics, the interior of the Optima and Camry is different. For example, in the interior of the Camry, austerity and laconicism are visible, perfectly combined with high-tech. In turn, the Optima salon looks very bright and personable. I would also like to note the close to ideal arrangement of elements.
The Camry's dashboard is compact but readable. The Optima panel is noticeably larger, and besides, it is slightly deployed towards the driver's seat.
In terms of roominess and ergonomics, the Korean car is the best. The same can be said for the quality of the finish.
Considering all the advantages of the Optima salon, it is the Korean car that gets the advantage at this point.
Specifications
In the spring of this year, both companies released new updates to their models. For comparison, we chose the Optima version with a 2.4-liter gasoline engine, and a Camry equipped with a similar 2.5 liter unit. Cars are based on the front-wheel drive bogie we are used to, and are capable of absorbing only high-quality fuel - at least 95th gasoline.
As for themselves power units, then even despite the fact that the motor of a Japanese car is more voluminous, it produces only 154 horse powerthat is 34 "horses" less than Optima. This is due to the fact that the "Korean" has a higher maximum torque - 241 Nm, versus 156 for the counterpart. Interestingly, none of the units are equipped with a turbine supercharger.
In terms of dynamism, the Korean car is also better. For example, acceleration from zero to a hundred Optima - 9.1 s, versus 10.5 for the Camry. However, the "Japanese" is much more economical than its today's opponent - 5.9 liters in mixed cycle, .
It is also worth adding that the Kia Optima is equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the Camry is a high-tech CVT.
From the point of view of dimensions, the situation is very simple: the Optima body is 49 mm longer than the Camry and 14 mm higher. The wheelbase is also 29mm longer for the Korean car. But the clearance for both models is the same - 155 mm. However, oddly enough, Optima is also lighter than its counterpart - 1575 kg versus 1626 kg.
Price
On the Russian market average cost established at around 1,500,000 rubles. For the "Japanese" Camry you need to pay 200 thousand rubles more. Given the fact that the Korean car is in many ways superior to its counterpart and has a richer list of basic equipment, it is he who is more the best option in terms of price.
Kia Optima and great cars, but which one is preferable? The Japanese sedan surpasses all competitors in terms of sales, but is there such a big difference in consumer properties compared to the Korean rival. In this material, we will consider (2014 - 2017) and Optima TF restyling (2014 - 2016).
White Camry and Optima
The appearance of the Japanese is called simple and artless, but if you compare the photos of Optima and, then the Korean car does not seem more aggressive and sporty. Earlier japanese car was calm and restrained, but after restyling, the impression of the appearance changed significantly. A new front bumper has added racy and brightness to the Camry's exterior.
The Optima TF's design was immediately sporty and fit. Appearance attractive to young car enthusiasts who choose with their eyes and hearts. For more sales kia sedan there is a lack of history and stereotypes like "the most reliable" or "the most beautiful".
It is not possible to give preference to any of the rivals in the "Appearance" nomination. There are enough bright attractive features in each, we did not notice frankly ridiculous elements. General impression similar in appearance, no "Wow!" effect.
Rear view of Camry and Optima
Interior
Optima's salon is much sportier than the interior. Low seating position, floor gas pedal, front panel slightly turned towards the driver, sports steering wheel they say that the car was made for young driver... The automatic transmission selector with a large knob and wood finish spoils the impression a little. The Japanese sedan has a lot more of the proverbial tree, but dealers say customers like it.
Salon Camry and Optima
Optima's functionality is visible to the naked eye. The devices are laconic, strict and perfectly readable, between them is a color screen of the on-board computer, a comfortable sports steering wheel with a large number of logically located buttons. The front panel is ascetic in a European way, but everything is logical and understandable, the buttons are grouped by purpose. The touchscreen display of the multimedia system is matt, which adds another plus to practicality.
Sitting in Kia Optima is comfortable, comfortable seats are low, a wide range of adjustments will allow both high and low drivers to sit down. The materials are not bad, the torpedo is sheathed in places with leatherette. An option that cannot be found in the Camry - a roof with a panoramic view.
The advantage of the Camry's cabin is space. In the Japanese sedan, there is more space on the first and second row. The interior lacks balance: the annoying wood-like interior trim is an obvious curtsey towards the adult audience, too bright blue appliances are unlikely to please young people. IN exclusive configuration car enthusiasts will appreciate the huge 10-inch multimedia screen. For the second row of Toyota, you can put a plus, there is more space and in expensive trim levels there is a three-zone climate control and audio control, adjustment of the second row seats.
Dashboard Camry and Optima
The luggage racks of the cars are almost equal, under the floor there are full spare wheels. Comparing salons Kia Optima and, you understand, that each car has its advantages in this aspect. Optima is more suitable for people who do not care about space in the cabin, Camry will be the choice for those who care about space in the second row.
Driving performance
Let's compare the dynamics, suspension and road behavior of the Optima TF restyling and. Both manufacturers have 2.0 engines for the Toyota 6AR-FSE for the Kia G4KD, which are paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. with a two-liter engine accelerates to the first hundred in 10.4 seconds, Optima with power plant the same amount - for 10.6. Toyota can be equipped with a 2.5 2AR-FE KIA - 2.4 G4KJ engine, the Japanese sedan in this case accelerates to a hundred in 9 seconds, the Korean one in 9.5, although the difference in power is not much 1 horsepower in favor of Toyota.
Brown Camry
Smooth running is an indisputable advantage, but sufficient rolls have not gone anywhere, and the suspension too clearly translates minor flaws and irregularities in the roadway. Especially comfortable in Toyota in the second row, the car is tuned for a measured and calm ride. The Optima's chassis is more knocked down, the standard low-profile tires do not ambiguously hint that the car was designed for good roads. Due to the small suspension travel, breakdowns are not rare, but the Kia is better controlled and heels less in corners.
Red Optima TF
On the track Optima is preferable, the Korean car has less aerodynamic noise and less annoying sound from the wheel arches. Toyota at speeds above city speeds fails soundproofing.
Specifications
We will not write about the reliability of Toyota engines, you all know, Kia is also considered a reliable brand, but recently problems with the 2.0 G4KD engine have become more and more frequent. At relatively low mileage, the engine begins to actively consume oil, which may be a sign of scoring.
Features and Optima with two-liter engines and 6-speed automatic transmission:
- power and torque (Camry, Optima): 150, 150 horsepower, 199, 196 N * m,
- acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h: 10.4, 10.6 sec,
- fuel consumption: in the city - 10, 10.3; on the track - 5.6, 6.1; in mixed mode - 7.2, 7.6 liters per 100 km,
- weight: 1540, 1550 kg,
- : 215/60 R16, 205/65 R16.
Optimu TF with two-liter engine could be bought with mechanical box gear, it was the most available equipment 2.0 Comfort.
Information on and Optima TF with 2.5 2AR-FE and 2.4G4KJ engines:
- power and torque (Toyota, Kia): 181, 180 horsepower, 231, 231 N * m,
- acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h: 9, 9.5 seconds,
- fuel consumption: in the city - 11, 11.5; outside the city - 5.9, 6.2; in the combined cycle - 7.8, 8.1 liters per 100 km,
- weight: 1540, 1580 kg,
- : 215/55 R17, 225/45 R18.
Some general data. Ground clearance (, Optima) - 160, 145 mm, trunk volume - 506, 505 liters, wheelbase - 2775.2795 mm, length / width / height - 4850, 4845/1825, 1830/1480, 1455, volume fuel tank both sedans have 70 liters. It is worth mentioning that Toyota did not give a guarantee for 100 thousand km or 3 years, and Kia for Optima - 150 thousand km and 5 years. The Camry engine lineup has a V6 3.5 2GR-FE engine.
Prices and configurations of Kia Optima TF and Toyota Camry XV55
We will not compare the prices of all configurations, but will compare one option with different motors... The most affordable with a 2.0 6AR-FSE engine cost 1 million 407 thousand rubles and offered its buyer halogen optics and LED fog lights, a light sensor, mirrors with a repeater of turn signals, radio control on the steering wheel, an engine start button, a color screen of the on-board computer on the steering wheel, cloth salon and mechanical seat adjustment, dual-zone climate control.
Camry vs. Optima
The cheapest Optima TF with a 2.0 G4KD engine was mechanically aggregated, but we will consider an option with a machine for 1 million 169 thousand rubles, which is 238 thousand rubles cheaper than Toyota. Kia gave the buyer halogen front optics, diode running lights headlight washers, side mirrors with turn signal indication, leather braid steering wheel, multifunction steering wheel, lumbar support in the front seats, heated steering wheel, rear seats and washer nozzles, cruise control, dynamic cornering lights, climate control, cooling glove box... In this comparison, it can be seen that Optima offers a little more options for this Camry for less money.
Black Camry - classic
The most expensive Optima TF with a 2.4 G4KJ engine cost about 1 million 529 thousand rubles, and with a 2.5 2AR-FE power plant - 1 million 557 thousand rubles. In Kia Optima with such a price tag, the owner received wheel disks R18, xenon front optics and diode taillights, door handles with chrome insert, panoramic roof, engine start button, leather interior trim, electric front seat adjustment and memory, metal pedals, electric handbrake, keyless access to the car, four automatic windows, parking sensors in a circle, LCD 8- and an inch monitor with navigation and rear view camera, rain sensor.
Camry for a little more than a million and a half gave the buyer, halogen headlights, door handles in body color, a fabric interior with wood trim, mechanical front seat adjustment, front and rear parking sensors, a 6.1-inch multimedia monitor without navigation, but with a camera, rain sensor and wireless charging. More expensive again, but offers far fewer options.
Output
Unambiguously answer the question who is better than the Kia Optima TF or we could not? Each customer has his own requirements for cars, and cars are not only about acceleration, handling, smooth running, configuration and prices. Auto means status, stereotypes, liquidity in the secondary market.
Toyota Camry or Kia Optima - the sales leader in the business class segment or the new generation of the Korean sedan? What would you choose?
For many years, the Japanese car from Toyota has been a leader in the market. And most competitors don't like it. An amazing paradox! Every year a car appears, positioning itself as a competitor to the Camry, but despite their advantages in design or functionality, they cannot displace the "Japanese" from the pedestal.
Meanwhile, Toyota Camry manages to remain the No. 1 sedan, although the car has remained unchanged since 2014 - it was then that the model was restyled. Let's make an objective comparison and see if the sales statistics rightly point to a winner or Optima is still better than a competitor.
Appearance
The 2014-2015 facelift transformed the Camry. Previous generation XV40 had a more sloping rounded body and soft lines. The car looked imposing, but not aggressive. Camry 50 received a more angular body, and restyling further emphasized the sharpness of the elements.
Large lED headlights became more prominent, adding seriousness to the already formidable appearance. The geometry of the air intake on the front bumper has changed - it has become wider.
The rear part of the body has also undergone modernization. By analogy with the front optics, the taillights have become more angular.
The profile of the car has hardly changed after restyling. The entire exterior looks noble, but restrained. Not a single extra line.
Fourth generation Kia Optima, which began selling in Russia in 2016, is very similar to itself in 3rd generation... But at the same time, the new car does not have a single body parts from the previous modification.
The wheelbase of the new Optima has increased by 10 cm, which visually made the car longer. The only noticeable change is on the side - glass was added behind back doorwhich was not in the 3rd generation.
It cannot be said that updated design made the car more sporty or aggressive. No excessive sharpness of lines was added, but the exterior became more modern.
The radiator grille, which is continued in the headlights, has become narrower, which visually "underestimated" the car.
The panoramic roof - one of the main body decorations in the Kia Optima - remained. And in the maximum versions, a hatch is available that opens up a gorgeous view for passengers of the second row.
Interior and options
The interior of the Toyota Camry is simple and personable. Nevertheless, it contains a lot of controversial points. It is finished with high-quality, pleasant-looking leather. But already bored plastic inserts wood look repulsive. The feeling of falsity is created.
The second controversial point is the inorganic combination of buttons. They are located ergonomically, but as if taken from different machines. There is no complete image, no harmony in the design of the center console.
However, all keys are large and the labels are clearly legible. This will allow you to get to the desired button with your eyes closed.
The dashboard has a small on-board computer and well-readable dials. However, at night, the car turns on a blue backlight, against which the white numbers become barely visible.
The driver's seat is very comfortable and has many height and tilt adjustments. There is no clear lateral support, which allows large drivers to feel comfortable and imposingly in the seat.
The multimedia display of the Toyota Camry 2017 no longer meets modern requirements. It is functional and quite simple, but the reaction speed and graphics are noticeably "lame".
Details aside, the Camry's interior design is in line with the car's status. It looks solid and expensive. But in 2018 there are plenty of competitors ready to offer a more modern and organic interior style. One of them is the Kia Optima 2017.
The interior of the 4th generation Optima looks more organic and modern. Its design is suspiciously reminiscent of a German salon. But this is not surprising, since German specialists worked on the car.
All keys and controls are in harmony and are combined with high-quality finishing materials. Therefore, sitting in the car and looking at the interior decoration, there is not for a second the feeling that you were deceived and taken more moneythan the car is worth.
In expensive configurations, an 8-inch display with excellent color reproduction and response is located in the center. It is worth noting a convenient location - the display is in the upper sector of the central panel, and this is more convenient for the driver.
The dashboard houses a 4-inch on-board computer and 2 round dials with clearly visible signs.
The ergonomics of the driver's seat are not inferior to the Camry, and you can drive several hundred kilometers in the seat. The front seats are what set the Optima apart from the competitor. Both seats are powered, heated and ventilated.
There is an electric button next to the gearshift lever. hand brake and a key enabling the Drive Mode system.
Against the background of Toyota Camry with its “pseudo tree” and mechanical “handbrake”, the Optima looks more modern and stylish. But interior design isn't what the Camry is focusing on in attracting buyers. Her strong point is hidden in the second row.
Comfortable soft sofas with tilt-adjustable backrests are complemented by huge spaciousness. No matter how hard the second-row passenger tries, he will never reach the front seat with his knees.
Fairly note that in Kia there is no less legroom, and the passenger can also sit imposingly.
But compared to Toyota, the Optima has a very low ceiling. For the sake of the exterior design, engineers have made a low sloping roof, sacrificing comfort in the cabin.
In addition to the airflow deflectors on back seat The Camry has buttons for controlling the climate control and the multimedia system. The keys are integrated into the armrest.
A set of options will delight buyers in both models. In addition to the already standard light and rain sensors, heated windshield and blind spot monitoring systems, which are in every self-respecting modern business class sedan, the cars have a circular view system. The Camry and Optima have 4 cameras around the perimeter of the car, projecting the image onto the screen. In addition, the vehicles are equipped with cruise control and lane keeping systems. But there is something that sets Optima apart from its competitor - a panoramic sunroof and an intelligent automatic parking system.
The Kia has an automatic electric tailgate opening system. True, the drive allows you to open it only halfway. Further manually.
The volume of the trunk is about the same. But formally Toyota is inferior: 506 liters. against 510 liters. at Kia Optima 2016
Controllability and dynamics
As for the suspension, Toyota Camry engineers have done some serious work. The Camry 40, like the pre-styling version of the "fifties", had a stiff suspension, which is unacceptable for the business class. The new model has received soft and energy-intensive undercarriage, which smoothly and imperceptibly for passengers absorbs all irregularities.
Kia's test showed that its suspension also became softer, but it has an interesting property. It gently and accurately reflects every unevenness, letting passengers know about them. There is no talk of any breakdowns. But movement over bumps is felt more strongly than in a competitor's cabin.
When determining what to buy, one cannot but take into account steering clarity and dynamics. The steering wheel of Toyota is wadded. It slowly reacts to driver movement, and the body collapses when cornering. The car resembles a motor ship. It does not skid, and the suspension clearly keeps the car in the corner, but does it "sleepily".
In contrast, Kia is faster. But at zero, the steering wheel fails. It's not clear enough even on the GT Line trim. Only the GT trim can change the steering quality. And the "Drive Mode" only affects the operation of the motor. Suspension behavior and steering remains the same.
Although Optima seems more cheerful, comparative test showed that Toyota is more dynamic. The exception is the GT equipment.
Options and prices
Optima or Magentis, as it is called in Europe, is available with 3 types of motor:
1. Two-liter unit with a capacity of 150 hp;
2. Motor 2.4 liters. with a capacity of 188 hp;
3. Turbocharged engine 2.0 l. with a capacity of 245 hp
Six-speed "mechanics" is put only on the basic configuration with a 2-liter engine. Other versions are equipped with 6АКПП.
Excluding all markups basic configuration 2018 costs 1,209,900 rubles. When deciding what to choose, it is better to stop at a 2.4 liter engine. or turbocharged 2.0 liters. Optima is a heavy vehicle that requires extra power. Maximum complete set A GT with a turbocharged engine will cost you as much as 1,879,900 rubles. But it will have everything!
The 2015 Toyota Camry is offered with 2.0, 2.5 and 3.5 liter engines. The latter type of V6 engine produces 249 hp. All configurations are equipped with 6АКПП.
The maximum version costs 2,003 thousand rubles, which is an order of magnitude more expensive than Kia. The price is due to the larger engine, although the power is the same thanks to the turbine. The cost of the basic version starts from 1,377 thousand rubles.
Output
Which is better: Kia or Toyota? Car parameters are very similar: optional equipment, trunk, power and solidity of the interior. But if you choose a car for a driver, Optima is better. And the second row is more comfortable in Toyota. Therefore, Camry is more often chosen for premium taxis. In addition, Japanese reliability does its job!
But in the confrontation between Kia vs Toyota "Koreans" confidently win in price. Both basic and final configuration "Japanese" are much more expensive than their competitors. Despite this, the Camry remains the bestseller in its segment. And what to buy - decide for yourself! Both cars are worthy of customer attention.
