Compare repair costs, reliability, and owner reviews
Kia Optima
$471
Average Annual
Repair Cost
Toyota Camry
$388
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
Excellent
The Toyota Camry Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 3rd out of 24 for midsize cars. The average annual repair cost is $388 which means it has excellent ownership costs. Repairs are less severe and less frequent than the average car, so the Camry 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 Kia Optima and the Toyota Camry are both midsize, four-door sedans. They both come with front-wheel drive.
The standard engine in the Kia Optima has 185 horsepower, while the Toyota Camry’s standard engine has a bit more with 203 horsepower. This carries through to the optional engines as well, where the Camry’s 301 horsepower outdoes the Optima’s 245-horsepower optional engine. The Camry also offers a hybrid power option.
Other points of difference include the age of each car’s platform. The Kia Optima was all new for the 2016 model year, and the Toyota Camry was totally redesigned for the 2018 model year. This makes the Camry a newer car by two model years. But the Optima does offer a larger trunk, with 15.9 cubic feet, compared to the Camry’s 14.1. The Optima also has more interior space for the passengers, with 104.8 cubic feet vs. 100.4 for the Camry
The Toyota Camry offers many advanced driver assistance technologies as standard equipment. A few of these are offered on the Optima, but the rest are optional on the higher trim levels.
In the final analysis, the Toyota Camry offers some solid advantages over the Kia Optima. The Camry gives you more standard and optional power, great standard safety systems, a hybrid option and a newer platform. The Optima does have more interior and trunk space.