Toyota Camry test drive since 2011 sedan

Kia Optima vs Toyota Camry. In captivity of prejudices?

Hung. Hang at the dealers Kia Optima. It would seem a worthy car, but there is no demand. Why? Is it really bad? The best way to find out with a competitor. With whom? Yes, even with Toyota Camry.


Kia Optima Price: 1 239 900 p. On sale: since 2012
Toyota Camry Price: 1 237 000 p. On sale: since 2011

Oleg Kalaushin, a journalist, 42 years old, a driver’s experience 23 years, travels to Renault Logan.


But why exactly with Toyota Camry, are there really few competitors? A lot, but it is Camry, in our opinion, most successfully suitable for this comparison. Firstly, in a similar configuration, the price of these cars does not vary much. Some 10,000 rubles, depending on the options, with seven-digit figures, as they say, about nothing at all. Secondly, the power of in-line fours are virtually the same, the difference in one horse can be neglected. Thirdly, their overall dimensions are similar. And fourthly they are both Asians. And with whom, if not with the old -timer of our market, should compare the newly emerging competitor!


Good. No, well, really good! Nothing superfluous, and at the same time looks rich. And what lines are, indeed, looking at this car, you understand that this is a real business class sedan. Who are we talking about? Well, perhaps if Kia Optima was not nearby, all of the above could be addressed to Toyota Camry, but Optima is standing nearby, and against her background Camry looks very stiff. A sort of abbess of the Institute of Noble Maidens of a graduate of the same institution. However, from experience we know that it is ungrateful to discuss the appearance of the car, and therefore we will finish this. But before finishing with the exterior, I still want to note one detail.


Optima's rear seat profile hints that it will only be comfortable

The clearance is what is striking when the cars stand nearby. Visually, due to the larger Optima wheelbase, it is more pressed to the ground than Camry. In numbers, this difference does not look so frightening 145 and 160 mm. Is it bad or good? It depends on what to put in priorities. For appearance and dynamic driving, of course, this is good, but for operation on our roads not always. Although in fairness we note that during the test we happened to move off the asphalt. So neither Optima nor Camry did not experience difficulties about this. But in the event of an urgent need, you can’t drop by the curb, and the overhangs are somehow terribly terrible for both machines. Moreover, both front and rear.


Eh, a little chromium ...

Before we study the salons, look into the trunk, all the more so that they, like much of what we have already voiced, is surprisingly similar: Camry has 506 liters, Optima 505 has a full -size reserve, the first and second under the floor, And if necessary, the back of the seats of the second row can be folded by pulling the corresponding handles. In general, everything is very similar. Even subwoofers hang in almost the same place. The only difference is that you can open Camry trigger from the cabin by pulling the handle on the floor to the left of the driver's seat, and in Optima picked up the corresponding key on the driver's door, which, you must agree, is more ergonomically. And from the point of view of progress, it looks more harmonious.


That's how Optima does not allow you to forget how it looks

In general, if we talk about harmony and aesthetics, then the interior of Optima, in our opinion, is much more interesting. There is not a single detail that visually protrudes against the background of others. The articulation index is pretty good here. Wherever the driver’s hand reaches out, everything is easy and with minimal labor costs. Friendly and instrument shield. In addition to two classic wells, it is still equipped with a 3.5 -inch monitor, which very clearly displays the information of the route computer, and at the first moment after the launch you can also see where the wheels are turned.


Camry is also generously flavored with electronic things, and you can’t refuse it in the comfort of the salon, but there are a lot of Americanisms in it. A high -quality interior is full of various kinds of wood inserts and polished aluminum. It seems that the designers tried to make a car more expensive for something than it really is. It looks a little ridiculous on the steering wheel and a multifunctional control panel. It seems that the gamepad was trimmed to the steering wheel. But using the touch screen of the multimedia system is very convenient. Plus, in addition, information from the navigation system and rear view chambers is displayed on the same screen. The latter’s mode can be changed depending on how you want to park the car. The functionality of the camera on Optima is more modest. Although it also has a standard active mode and, depending on the angle of rotation of the wheels, shows a possible trajectory of movement.


Nevertheless overdo it with a tree

Before you hit the road, we did not fail to look into the second row. I must say that sitting from behind is equally convenient both in Camry and Optima. There are plenty of legs. But this is provided that your height is not higher than average. A person with a height of 190 cm will feel discomfort from the lack of space over his head. This should be expected with such a sloping shape of the roof behind. Stylization under the compartment did not pass for nothing. Camry is more traditional, and this is only the benefit of passengers of the second row.


The profile of the rear seat Camry hints that it will only be comfortable

As already mentioned, with a similar volume, the engines of these machines have virtually the same power. Yes, and automatic boxes in both cases are six -speed. Such similar indicators could not but affect the dynamic characteristics of cars, and therefore there is nothing special to brag about one. But there is still a difference in their behavior. Barely perceptible, but there is. So, the steering on Camry is a little more informative and has a clearer zero. The suspension here is slightly tougher, and therefore the car falls smaller in the turns, and the Japanese soundproofing is a little better. The automatic box also works more pleasant on Toyota. This is especially noticeable at a sharp start from a place. Optima has a slight impetus. On Camry it is not a car, it just breaks off, as if under the hood, not an internal combustion engine, but an electric motor. However, we repeat: all these nuances are clearly visible when you transplant from one car to another and immediately hit the road along the same route. If you do this after at least half an hour, the difference in behavior will be imperceptible.


With the inclusion of the ignition, the instrument panel is illuminated by the scattering of the icons. The amount at first scares

So what is the end? And in the end, Optima, in our opinion, has every right to stand in a row with the other, more eminent representatives of the class, and that before the fact that it is KIA, it is prejudice, no more. And the yard is not the end of the nineties, when the brand only appeared in our market. So take a closer look


Kia Optima 1 239 900 p.
Driving
A pleasant, and most importantly understandable car. That's the steering one would be a little more well -formative.

Salon
There are no complaints about the dimensions, but tall passengers of the second row will feel the lack of space over their heads.

Comfort
At the level of classmates.

Safety
In the basic configuration of 6 pillows and ABS.

Price
Adequate.


Toyota Camry 1 237 000 p.
Driving
As before, you can’t complain about the car according to this indicator.

Salon
The classic layout school provides maximum amenities to all crew members.

Comfort
Not even in maximum configuration, the equipment of the car is quite rich.

Safety
In the base of 6 airbags ABS and ESP

Price
At the level.
 
Our verdict
As a comparison has shown, there is no big difference between Kia Optima and Toyota Camry. They are equally well equipped, have similar dynamic characteristics, and even the amount that will have to be laid out for a particular car is almost the same. But, as before, Toyota is more liquid product than Kia. Perhaps this is what repels potential buyers from Optima. However, not everything is not always measured by money. Maybe if you think about it? ..
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [August 2012]