Compare repair costs, reliability, and owner reviews
Kia Optima
$471
Average Annual
Repair Cost
Honda Accord
$400
Average Annual
Repair Cost
Overall Reliability Rating
4
Excellent
The Kia Optima Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 8th out of 24 for midsize cars. The average annual repair cost is $471 which means it has lower than average ownership costs. The severity of repairs is average and the frequency of those issues is low, so major repairs are uncommon for the Optima.
4
1
2
Excellent
The Honda Accord Reliability Rating is 4.5 out of 5.0, which ranks it 1st out of 24 for midsize cars. The average annual repair cost is $400 which means it has excellent ownership costs. The severity and frequency of repairs are both much lower than other vehicles, so the Accord is one of the more reliable vehicles on the road.
The Kia Optima ranks highest in value and ranks lowest in fuel economy.
“This is my first car and my first time driving a Kia. It certanly wont be my last. My car is the 2004 Kia Optima LX Four Cylnder. It has many features that other cars in its class dont offer on the...”
“This is my first car and my first time driving a Kia. It certanly wont be my last. My car is the...”
The Honda Accord ranks highest in value and ranks lowest in interior.
100% of reviewers would recommend this car.
“This car is great vehicle. My Accord has been very inexpensive to repair and drives well. The only issues I've had are some bulbs that have gone out in the dash and a check engine light because of...”
“This car is great vehicle. My Accord has been very inexpensive to repair and drives well. The...”
The Kia Optima and the Honda Accord are both midsize, four-door sedans. Both come with front-wheel drive.
The engines in the Kia Optima and the Honda Accord are comparable. The Optima has standard engine with 185 horsepower and an optional 245-horsepower engine. The standard engine in the Accord has 192 horsepower, with an option of 252 horsepower. For a greener power source, the Optima has both a hybrid version and a plug-in hybrid version. The Accord also offers a hybrid version.
In terms of interior and trunk space, the Kia Optima is the clear leader here. The Optima has 104.8 cubic feet of interior volume and 15.9 cubic feet of space in the trunk. The Accord has just 93.1 cubic feet of interior volume and 13.4 cubic feet in the trunk.
The Honda Accord does offer some advantages. It’s a brand-new design on a brand-new platform this year, while the Optima was all-new back in 2016. The Accord also offers the latest driver assistance technologies as standard equipment, including adaptive cruise control and forward-collision warning. The Accord is very smooth and refined, setting a new bar for midsize sedans.
We suggest you drive both the Kia Optima and the Honda Accord. See if the Optima’s superior space is the deciding factor, or if the latest technology built into the Accord is more to your liking.