What To Know
- Both the 2019 Kia Optima and the 2019 Nissan Altima come standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring.
- Both vehicles offer a range of trim levels and options, with the top-of-the-line Optima SX Turbo priced at $33,990 and the top-of-the-line Altima Platinum priced at $34,550.
- It offers a more spacious and comfortable interior, more powerful engine options, a more comprehensive suite of safety features, and a better value for money.
When it comes to choosing a midsize sedan, there are two popular contenders that stand out: the 2019 Kia Optima and the 2019 Nissan Altima. Both vehicles offer a compelling combination of style, comfort, and performance, making them favorites among car enthusiasts. In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll pit the 2019 Kia Optima against the 2019 Nissan Altima to determine which one reigns supreme.
Exterior Design
The 2019 Kia Optima boasts a sleek and sporty exterior with sharp lines and a bold grille. Its sleek silhouette and aggressive stance give it a dynamic presence on the road. In contrast, the 2019 Nissan Altima features a more conservative design with a V-Motion grille and flowing curves. While both vehicles offer attractive styling, the Optima’s edgier aesthetic may appeal to those looking for a more assertive look.
Interior Comfort and Features
Stepping inside, the 2019 Kia Optima impresses with a spacious and well-appointed cabin. The seats are comfortable and supportive, and the interior materials are of high quality. The center console is intuitive and user-friendly, and the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system is responsive and feature-rich. The 2019 Nissan Altima also offers a comfortable interior, but its cabin feels slightly more cramped than the Optima’s. The seats are supportive, but the rear legroom is a bit limited. The NissanConnect infotainment system is easy to use, but it lacks some of the features found in the Optima’s system.
Powertrain and Performance
Under the hood, the 2019 Kia Optima offers a range of engine options, including a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The turbocharged engines provide ample power and acceleration, while the naturally aspirated engines offer good fuel economy. The 2019 Nissan Altima is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 188 horsepower. While the Altima’s engine is responsive and efficient, it doesn’t offer the same level of performance as the Optima’s turbocharged engines.
Safety Features
Both the 2019 Kia Optima and the 2019 Nissan Altima come standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Optima also offers additional features such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, while the Altima has a rear cross-traffic alert system. Both vehicles have earned top safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Technology and Connectivity
The 2019 Kia Optima and 2019 Nissan Altima both offer a wide range of technology and connectivity features. The Optima’s 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system is paired with a six-speaker audio system and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Altima’s 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system is also compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but it features a nine-speaker Bose audio system. Both vehicles offer navigation systems, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice recognition.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy is an important consideration for many drivers. The 2019 Kia Optima with the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine gets an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. The 2019 Nissan Altima with the 2.5-liter engine gets an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. While the Altima has a slight edge in fuel economy, both vehicles offer impressive gas mileage for their class.
Pricing and Value
The 2019 Kia Optima has a starting price of $22,890, while the 2019 Nissan Altima has a starting price of $23,750. Both vehicles offer a range of trim levels and options, with the top-of-the-line Optima SX Turbo priced at $33,990 and the top-of-the-line Altima Platinum priced at $34,550. When comparing similarly equipped models, the Optima offers a slightly better value for money, thanks to its more generous standard equipment and lower price point.
The Verdict: 2019 Kia Optima vs 2019 Nissan Altima
After carefully evaluating the 2019 Kia Optima and the 2019 Nissan Altima, we conclude that the Optima is the superior choice. It offers a more spacious and comfortable interior, more powerful engine options, a more comprehensive suite of safety features, and a better value for money. While the Altima is a solid contender with good fuel economy and a comfortable interior, the Optima’s overall package is simply more impressive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which vehicle has a more powerful engine?
A: The 2019 Kia Optima offers a range of engine options, including a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 245 horsepower. The 2019 Nissan Altima‘s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produces 188 horsepower.
Q: Which vehicle has a more spacious interior?
A: The 2019 Kia Optima offers more passenger and cargo space than the 2019 Nissan Altima. The Optima has 102.8 cubic feet of passenger volume and 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space, compared to the Altima’s 96.8 cubic feet of passenger volume and 15.4 cubic feet of cargo space.
Q: Which vehicle has a better safety rating?
A: Both the 2019 Kia Optima and the 2019 Nissan Altima have earned top safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).