Being sister companies, you wouldn’t expect to see a whole lot of difference between a Hyundai and Kia sedan. In the case of the 2018 Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima, you would be correct in that assertion.

But a redesign for the 2018 model year may have been just enough to push the Sonata past its friendly competition. In fact, the all-new Hyundai Sonata narrowly topped the Kia Optima in U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings of the best midsize cars.

While the cars are strikingly similar, let’s take a closer look at where the differences can be found.

2018 Hyundai Sonata vs. Kia Optima

Space

With more front head room and greater head, hip, and shoulder room in the rear, the Sonata provides a roomier cabin than the Optima and features more passenger and cargo volume overall. Interior space is always critical in a sedan as they don’t have the larger bodies of a truck or SUV to work with, so the extra room found in the Sonata is a big plus for both drivers and passengers.

Safety

Sedans don’t have the luxury of a large exterior to use as a foundation for safety. But once again, Hyundai found a way to get the most out the Sonata. Both the Sonata and the Kia Optima earned 5-star driver crash test ratings from the NHTSA, but only the Sonata did the same for passenger crash tests.

Affordability

Sedan owners tend to be attracted to the overall affordability of the class. And the Hyundai Sonata is for sale in Madison, WI, at a lower MSRP than that of the Kia Optima. Further, the Sonata’s corrosion warranty is more generous that the Optima’s and includes unlimited miles.

With other key factors like gas mileage and horsepower being nearly identical, it would be easy to chalk up these sedans as being one and the same. But a closer look reveals a clear winner.

See the Difference at Your Madison Hyundai Dealer

Now that you’ve read about how the 2018 Hyundai Sonata sets itself apart from the competition, come experience the difference for yourself and take this all-new sedan for a test drive today at Zimbrick Hyundai Eastside located on Wayne Terrace in Madison, Wisconsin.