Which is better: the new Toyota Camry or the Kia Optima?

The Toyota Camry sedan has always been in high demand here. It was only at the beginning of this year that the Korean Kia Optima became the sales leader in its class. But the Japanese have a powerful answer at the ready - the new generation Camry.

The other day the Europeans branch of Toyota announced the prices for the new-generation Camry. Let's find out what's more profitable: the super-popular Toyota Camry sedan or the Kia Optima.

Sales and ratings

Last decade, when foreign automakers were building factories in Europe one after another, Toyota made a surprising (as it seemed at the time) move. Whereas other brands put compact sedans in the assembly line, the Japanese did it by launching the Camry. And they did not go wrong! Thanks to localization, they managed to establish an attractive price which was not slow to affect demand. In other years this model has sold in the same volume as all the other brands' classmates together. At the end of last year, for example, 28,063 Camry sedans were sold in Europe. A very respectable figure! However, the increase over 2016 is purely symbolic.

Which is better: the new Toyota Camry or the Kia Optima? Finally, the Camry has got rid of the puffy and inarticulate look. The new exterior is taut and expressive - as if it were a sports sedan.

Which is better: the new Toyota Camry or the Kia Optima?

The Kia Optima is the brand's first large sedan, with driving characteristics that don't appeal to active drivers.

But the demand for the Kia Optima sedan has doubled in recent times with 12,882 units purchased by Europeans. The success can be attributed not only to the growing market and reasonable prices, but also to the car's interesting young design. However, with the advent of the new Camry this trump card has already been played - Toyota looks no less modern.

Engine and transmission

Hyundai Sonata or Toyota Camry - the choice of ZR

In America a completely new engine line-up has been offered for the Camry, but in our market the situation is special. The base engine, as before, is a 2-liter "four" 6AR-FSE with 150 hp. The Japanese have not revealed the dynamics data for the new Camry yet. It is not excluded that it accelerates up to the first hundred in the same 10,4 seconds, as its forerunner. This motor hardly suffices for a big solid sedan. If you are demanding for dynamics, consider the 2,5-liter version better. Its 2AR-FE engine produces the same power - 181 hp. These "horses" carried away the former Camry up to a hundred in 9 seconds - with the new model the result should be similar. Both listed modifications are equipped with a six-graded automatic.

The main underhood news is in the top version. It has a new 3.5-liter V-shaped "six" 2GR-FKS. Its main feature is a system of combined injection - in the intake pipe and combustion chamber. In foreign markets, this motor develops 305 hp, but for us it is downgraded to taxable 249 hp. A new eight-speed automatic is paired with this engine.

Under the bonnet of the base version of the Kia, too, is a 2-liter 150-horsepower motor. But the Optima 2.0 is the only model in the segment to be available with a manual gearbox. A six-speed automatic is offered for a surcharge. In the first case, acceleration to a hundred takes 9.6 seconds, in the second - 10.7.

The Optima with a 2.4 engine already has 188 horsepower. However, it doesn't give much advantage over Camry 2.5 - acceleration up to 100 km/h takes comparable 9,1 seconds. The top version of Optima, unlike Toyota, has not V6, and a turbo 'four', which at working volume of 2 liters develops 245 hp This modification is able to catapult to a hundred in 7.4 seconds, and its top speed is 240 km/h.

Features and prices

Supertest: the new Kia Optima against three rivals

The base version of the Camry is called the Standard and costs 1,399,000 roubles. It comes with LED headlights, 16'' alloy wheels, six airbags, ESP, dual zone climate control, electric package, audio system, engine start button, electric handbrake, light sensor, heated front seats, exterior mirrors and windshield in the wipers' rest area.

The Standard Plus variant is available with both the 2.0 engine (21 000 USD) and the 2.5 engine (21 000 dollars). It is equipped with front and rear parking sensors, leather steering wheel, rain sensor, a media system with a 7-inch touchscreen and cruise control. Versions with the 2.5 engine are also equipped with headlight washers and inductive charging for smartphones. The Classic version features leather interior and electrically operated front seats. The price starts from 19 000 dollars. And the surcharge for the 2.5 engine in this case will be higher – 2000 dollars.

Which is better: the new Toyota Camry or the Kia Optima? On the second row of seats the Camry has a little less space. But, of course, we don't have to talk about cramped space.

The versions Elegance Safety (1,818,000 roubles) and Prestige Safety (1,930,000 roubles) come exclusively with a 2.5 litre engine. In the first case, the equipment adds 17-inch wheels, heated steering wheel and windshield, rearview camera, knee airbag for driver, and complex Toyota Safety Sense (adaptive cruise control plus systems warning of threat of frontal collision with automatic braking and pedestrian detection, marking and road sign reading). The latter is complemented by 18-inch wheels, an air ioniser, an advanced JBL audio system, contoured interior lighting and an up to 8-inch touchscreen.

A version with a V6 engine can be purchased for 2,166,000 roubles. It is if to choose a configuration Luxe Safety which will please the crew with an electric steering column, ventilated front seats, three-zoned climate control, electric rear seats, side airbags behind and curtains on back row windows. A flagship version Executive Safety - with all-round view cameras, projection display and electric adjustments of a steering wheel - is offered for 2 341 000 roubles.

Toyota RAV4 or Camry: for home, for family

Prices for Optima with comparable equipment are more accessible. Thus, the base two-liter car with a manual (other kitting is available only with an automatic) is offered for 1,209,900 roubles. But the equipment is poor: air conditioner, radio, 16-inch steel wheels. The Comfort variant costs 1,329,900 roubles. It adds a separate climate control, rain sensor, leather steering wheel with paddles, USB-port for rear passengers.

Luxe edition (from 1 449 900 RUB) includes alloy wheels, electric driver's seat, a navigator, a rear view camera, parktronic and electric handbrake. A 2.4 litre engine is also available from this version. A surcharge of 80,000 roubles for it. The Prestige version will cost a minimum of 1,529,900 roubles. Its equipment includes blind spot monitoring and reverse parking assist systems, knee airbag, keyless entry to the cabin and engine start button, advanced Harman/Kardon acoustics, touch screen with an increased diagonal, heated second row seats and a contactless boot opener function.

Turbomodification GT will facilitate your pocket for 1 879 900 rubles. It is distinguished by 18-inch wheels, adaptive LED headlights, sports steering wheel, all-round vision system, ventilated front seats, electric passenger seat and curtains for rear side windows.

What is better: the new Toyota Camry or Kia Optima? Unlike the front, from behind the Camry reminds not its forerunner, but ... the Corolla! The shape of headlights is very similar.

What is better: new Toyota Camry or Kia Optima? Examining Optima, first of all, you pay attention to non-trivial design of rear struts.

Where to stay?

The new Camry has made a small revolution. In fact, this car has changed conceptually! With its dynamic exterior, driver-focused cabin, and agile handling capable of pleasing the active driver, the Toyota has never before been known. But one has to pay a lot for these changes. Only base modification became cheaper in comparison with its forerunner - other versions have appreciably added in price. And if one recalls traditionally high price of hull insurance for Camry and short distance between services (10,000 km), so one should be ready that possession of Toyota sedan will cost a pretty penny.

In this sense, Optima is more favourable investment. It costs cheaper initially, and insurance for it is rather inexpensive, and it is necessary to call for technical service less often (once in 15,000 km). Besides, Kia attracts with five-year warranty. So if you want to avoid spending a lot on your car after buying it, the Korean sedan is preferable to the Camry.