Beyond Mere Numbers:
2011 Honda Accord Sedan SE vs. 2011 Kia Optima EX
2011 Honda Accord Sedan SE vs. 2011 Kia Optima EX
The vehicles have similar fuel economy numbers and many similar features. While there are equipment differences, how the features and specifications function as a whole is the real story.
Accord Is 10Best Car for 25th Time
The 2011 Accord has been named a Car and Driver 10Best Car, making 2011 the 25th time Accord has received the award in the 29 years it has been given. No other single model can match Accord’s record. The editors at Car and Driver said, “The Accord remains inscrutably excellent. It manages to combine all the practical virtues you need in a family sedan – plenty of interior space, lots of available infotainment and trim choices, a quiet and relaxed ride, subdued engines, and effortless transmissions – with a fluid chassis that urges a driver to wring it out on back roads and off-ramps.”
SafetyThe 2011 Accord has been named a Car and Driver 10Best Car, making 2011 the 25th time Accord has received the award in the 29 years it has been given. No other single model can match Accord’s record. The editors at Car and Driver said, “The Accord remains inscrutably excellent. It manages to combine all the practical virtues you need in a family sedan – plenty of interior space, lots of available infotainment and trim choices, a quiet and relaxed ride, subdued engines, and effortless transmissions – with a fluid chassis that urges a driver to wring it out on back roads and off-ramps.”
Advantage: The 2011 Accord Sedan earned a 5 Star Overall Vehicle Score under the new, more stringent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) safety rating system2. The 2011 Kia Optima has not yet been tested.
The 2011 Kia Optima EX does not offer anything comparable to:
- Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS): The system will deactivate the front passenger’s front-side airbag if a child or a small-statured adult is leaning into the side airbag deployment path.
- Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) Body Structure: The ACE design utilizes a network of connected structural elements to distribute crash energy more evenly throughout the front of the vehicle. This enhanced frontal crash energy management helps to reduce the forces transferred to the passenger compartment and can help to more evenly disperse the forces transferred to other vehicles in a crash.
Interior Comfort
Advantage: In its review of the 2011 Accord, U.S. News and World Report (USN&WR) noted, “...Accord boasts so much room that the EPA actually classifies it as a large car. Reviewers praise the Accord’s supportive seats and high quality materials.” About the 2011 Kia Optima, USN&WR says, “While reviewers commend the space in the Optima’s cabin, a few wish the front seats were more supportive. Others point out the lack of headroom in the backseat.”
Demonstration Tip: Point out Accord’s large comfortable seats as well as the headroom for rear passengers.
Cost of Ownership
While Edmunds.com has not yet calculated True Cost to Own® for the 2011 Kia Optima, Automotive Lease Guide (ALG) has estimated that the 2011 Accord Sedan SE will maintain a much higher residual value – 57% after 36 months and 39% after 60 months compared to 52% and 36% respectively for 2011 Kia Optima EX – which is a major component of Cost of Ownership.
Comparably Equipped PriceWhile Edmunds.com has not yet calculated True Cost to Own® for the 2011 Kia Optima, Automotive Lease Guide (ALG) has estimated that the 2011 Accord Sedan SE will maintain a much higher residual value – 57% after 36 months and 39% after 60 months compared to 52% and 36% respectively for 2011 Kia Optima EX – which is a major component of Cost of Ownership.
The 2011 Kia Optima is either priced below Accord SE without heated seats or requires that customers take additional features they do not want at a price above Accord SE.
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