Differences Between 2018 Kia Optima & 2018 Honda Accord

Serving Cincinnati, OH, Fairfield, OH, and Springfield, OH

Even in this age of SUVs and family-friendly crossovers, the mid-size sedan is still a great buy. Many people simply don't want a hunker of a vehicle, and the smaller crossovers don't offer the interior space desired for a family of four or five. The Kia Optima has always been a bestseller thanks to its spacious interior, easy-to-use controls, and long list of standard convenience and safety features. The 2018 Optima is offered in fewer trims than in previous years, but that's a good thing because buyers can navigate the package options and standard feature lists more easily.

The award-winning 2018 Honda Accord is a worthy competitor in this vehicle segment, but it has a few notable drawbacks that the dealer rep won't emphasize. There are fewer trim choices available than what is offered on the Optima, the interior is a bit cluttered, and the base sticker price is higher than what Kia asks for the 2018 Optima.

Trim Options

There's still a lot to choose from when considering a 2018 Kia Optima. The base LX trim comes loaded with niceties including smartphone app integration, cruise control, a driver information display, lumbar adjustment for the driver, and satellite radio. The 1.6T version gets a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and the mid-level EX adds on dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and leather upholstery. The top-level SX gets a powerful 2.0L turbocharged engine rated at 245 horsepower, sport-tuned suspension, wheel-mounted shift paddles, and an enormous driver information display. The 2018 Honda Accord is offered in a total of five trims, but the base LX trim is a bit sparse when it comes to advanced tech features. Also, this trim is available exclusively with a continuously variable transmission, something that a lot of buyers simply don't like.

Interior Features

Both the 2018 Kia Optima and Honda Accord have very nicely designed interiors, but the Optima's emphasis is on functionality over flashiness. The legible physical buttons are a welcome sight, and the primary controls are absolutely where the hand wants to reach for them. The driving position is superb, and there's plenty of height adjustment. Buyers can upgrade from the two-way lumbar to a four-way, something that's not available on most other lower-end model trims. The trunk is enormous, and its low load height makes for easy storage of large items. The clever automatic opening is a nice touch. The trunk opens automatically after a few second's delay when the trunk key, perhaps in the driver's pocket, comes into close proximity of the hatch. The 2018 Accord has a smaller trunk, and although the rear seating area has a good amount of headroom, adults will find themselves cramped back there.

Affordability

The 2018 Optima base trim sticker price is about $1,500 less than the Accord's. The list of standard features is about the same when comparing the two vehicles, so the Optima actually offers more for the price paid. The 2018 model base trim upgrades include a better screen display, rear parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring, yet the price has increased so slightly over last year's model that it's not even worth talking about. The Accord, on the other hand, gets really pricey as the trim level climb is made. The top trim is much more expensive than the Optima SX, but the additional features list isn't really all that impressive.

---

You can drive away in an affordable, feature-packed family sedan and enjoy great fuel efficiency, a roomy interior, and an unbeatable warranty when you purchase a new 2018 Kia Optima. Contact Jeff Wyler Kia today to schedule a test drive, and see for yourself how favorably this model compares to the equally popular Honda Accord.