2011 Kia Optima and 2012 Volvo S60: Numbers and Non-Numbers

All things being equal, I'd take the Volvo, but that's simply because I have an enormous soft spot for the brand. Way back in high school, my father would occasionally allow me to drive his S80, and that thing was an absolute blast. Expensive as a mother to repair though (which is probably why he now drives an Acura).

Um, this argument has applied to their two respective classes of car for 20 years, if not longer.

$25K for a KIA? No way for me. I would take the Volvo, mainly because of its solid body (safety) and autobahn proven speed rating. If the 2 cars crash together, I don't think the Kia driver cab say he/she got a good deal.

Wow. I guess Volvo had less cachet than I originally thought.

I'd take the Kia.

I seriously doubt there is any real difference in safety between the two, the Volvo name carries no weight with me and the Kia is better looking (IMHO).

Judging by the recent Volvos I've know the Kia has a good shot at being much more reliable too.

Ha, r34, 25k is not a lot of money for a "Kia"...Especially considering that they are now almost seen with the same respect that Toyotas/Nissans/Hondas get, if not more in some respects.

I love both of these cars, but in the end I might have to go with the Volvo just because I love the interior.

Running down the objective numbers merely gives you one side of the comparison - the other side (the subjective one) requires a more hands on evaluation. Park these cars side by side and allow the evaluators to climb inside, and poke and prod...that will no doubt reveal a couple of "A-HA" moments;

- Open the doors of both cars, then close them. "A-HA" - the Volvo's solid structure, "heft" and more premium feel is clearly evident.

- Sit down in both seats. "A-HA" - Volvo's seats are the best in the business....like sitting in baseball glove........

- Compare the interior design and quality of materials....."A-HA" - no comparison, the Volvo is more upscale, more elegant, and clearly superior.

A couple other notes; Volvo was recently identifed as the most reliable European manufactuer in JD Power's initial quaility survey. And while the Volvo doesn't come with a 10 year powertrain warranty, it does come with Volvo's 5 year Safe and Secure plan which includes all maintenance.

All that being said, the fact that we're comparing an Optima to a Volvo, and not a Camry or Accord (or Lexus or Infiniti), speaks volumes about how far the Korean auto industry has come.

The Kia is a very nice car - but not an equal to the Volvo even with the difference in price.......IMHO.

I think it's worth noting that this new Optima has often been, and still is, compared to many vehicles that cost substantially more, and is compared much more often than its direct competitors. On this site and many others there has been direct comparison to the likes of Acura, Audi, BMW, Buick, Lexus, Saab, and Volvo. Seldom is the same said of others in the class, a pretty impressive feat for a car and company that seldom get any respect. And it's not even their most expensive car.

Visually speaking, the SX certainly looks the part (all it's missing are the requisite LED running lights, which are coming later this year anyway), and it handles more than well enough for the majority of buyers. Toyota and Honda should probably count themselves lucky that Kia can only make a small amount of them a month globally.

Volvo has an image? Like a saab kinda image?

@lincolnman3:

I largely agree with you, especially in that the S60 is likely the obvious choice for many people (and I own an SX) but there are a few other "A-HA" to be noted:

- Sit down in both seats and close the door, and you'll notice the Kia plays you a tasteful and pleasing full color welcome animation, complete with unique tones.

- A buyer will notice that you don't need to put their key in the dash to start the Optima - they can leave it in their pocket/ purse.

- (for those who care) You'll find the SX has paddle shifters for more driver involvement.

- The Optima can be had with a panoramic sunroof to open up the cabin.

- The Optima's head unit is an easy-to-use touchscreen, and will even allow for nav inputs while moving.

-The Optima will play another animation when you turn it off, thanking your for the drive and hopes to "see you again".

Kia may not be able to stick lots of aluminum and real wood into their cabin, but they certainly have done their homework with regards to what people can appreciate. I'm also sure the S60 has a few nuances of its own to bring to the table, but the Optima can certainly sway a prospective buyer.

Volvo leather is amazing. That's probably all you're paying for.

"- Sit down in both seats and close the door, and you'll notice the Kia plays you a tasteful and pleasing full color welcome animation, complete with unique tones."

I see this less as a feature and more as a facet of Korean culture, since an LG washing machine or the Seoul Metro do the same thing. Thankfully it can be disabled.

After shopping around for a new car for about a year, I bought a 2012 Kia Optima SX. I did take a serious look at the Volvo S60, as well as a few other including the new 2012 BMW 328i. But for the matter of comparison with these two cars, I think that you get a lot more with the Kia for less money.

The Volvo does have a very nice interior, but the outside is very bland, and unexciting. I've read a lot more negative reviews about how the Volvo's transmission bangs a bit. And when you really start to load up your Volvo with options, you start getting up to $44K or more, where a fully loaded Optima SX caps out under $32K.

That's the problem I ran into also with going back and forth with the BMW guy about the new 328i. They say, "Hey, Base price is like $35,000. But when you get some "stuff" in it, back up sensors, sunroof, NAV, heated seats etc., you end up with a $48,000 car.

I'm sure that the Volvo is a very nice, solid and fun car to own, however, the ride of the Kia, the options, the much more exciting body design, and the price, make it a much smarter buy to me, if you care about $$. Buy the Kia, and go out for a fancy meal every weekend. Or drive the Kia and sacrifice very little and stay home and count your extra $$ every weekend!

I hope you bought this car from Volvo because comparisons like this will get you cut off from the loaners!

@lincolnman3:

"- Open the doors of both cars, then close them. "A-HA" - the Volvo's solid structure, "heft" and more premium feel is clearly evident."

That heft is because the Volvo is hefty. Despite being 8" shorter in overall length, the S60 weighs around 150 lbs. more.

There exist certain circles where driving a Volvo is perfectly acceptable but driving a Kia is not. Is that cache worth $10-20K. Not to me. But to some people it is.

I think these are two of the most attractively designed sedans on the market, and honestly, I'd be thrilled to own either. I think most people here are in agreement - it comes down to priority for the individual prospective owner; theres a clear value argument in favor of the Kia, and a brand cachet argument for the Volvo.

I'm also really interested to try out the Volvo's seats, as I keep reading about their awesomeness.

@musicmotorman - if your goal is luxury touches, yes the Kia is much better than the 3 series. But if you want driving dynamics, the Optima is less than optimal.

I've seen this comment many, many times. And it does have weight and merit to it. However, the answer is never as some people would like to make it out to be.

I myself wrestled with this same decision when I bought my Acura MDX. Spend more on an X5 with less equipment, or spend less on a better equipped MDX. Being something of a skinflint, I went for the MDX. And I haven't regretted it. But you do give up something for that money, there is no free lunch.

The Acura by far uses lower quality materials and assembly design procedures. Surfaces you don't see everyday are unfinished or uncovered. Material is less expensive. The sheet metal is thinner. The body is less robust and less rigid. Controls do not have the same heft or precision to them. The car just does not feel as solid as the equivalent X5.

Having said that, the car has been a stellar performer. I've had very, very few issues. The car works well, suits it's purpose and it generally liked by the family. In this case, I'm happy with the tradeoff. The car does not feel "cheap", as it shouldn't for a car that's pushing $50k for a new model. But it feels cheaper than the BMW, even to a non-enthusiast.

With respect to the Volvo and the Kia, yes, the Kia has more equipment. The Volvo is the better engineered car, uses better materials, is a more luxurious vehicle. Options and equipment do not a luxury vehicle make. And the Volvo is designed to withstand substantially higher crash forces than the Kia. Do not talk to me about star ratings, etc. I've seen real world examples of both and looked at engineering drawings of both. The Volvo is stonger, period.

Now, does that matter to you? Would you rather have the best seats in the business or standard front and rear heated seats. Would you rather have a very nice TFT display, real wood trim and soft touch materials or be able to buy all the bells and whistles at a price lower than a much less well equipped Volvo model. The question is, what's important to you.

Both vehicles represent a choice. The Volvo is not underpriced, nor the Kia overpriced. As I said, there is no free lunch. Whether what the Volvo has to offer at it's premium price is "worth it" to you is up to you and your set of values. I have opted on both sides of this very argument when buying cars. They are both good cars, but put their money to use in different areas.

I test drove both the Sonata Turbo and the S60 T5. I came away very impressed with the Sonata, but bought the S60 with the premium package and cold weather. Those 2 packages got us everything we wanted (except xenon lights). The quality of the S60's interior is in another league compared to the Sonata. Anything that looks like metal, is metal. As has been said many times, the seats are unbelievably fantastic comfort wise. The T5 engine is a proven design, with a unique sound, nice power, and decent efficiency. I also love the S60's style.

Aside from that, I'll admit I much prefer the Volvo image to the Kia/Hyundia; it's a premium brand. Plus I have a feeling the Volvo will age far better than the cheaper Korean brands - especially given the older Volvo's I see on the road vs. the older Kia/Hyundai's.

Kia. Really?

I find it hard to believe that someone who can afford an S60 would choose an Optima.

This is a simple decision for me: I can't afford an S60 or any Volvo, but I can afford a lot of different midsize cars. And most of them would be acceptable vehicles. I just can't get into the luxury or entry-luxury cars.The Optima and Sonata fully-loaded prices stop at where the entry-luxury category starts.

I don't get why ppl have misconception of volvo being premium brand. Of course Volvo is more upscale but it ain't no MB nor BMW. Its like saying Mercury is a lux brand.

@ed - really? You don't think people who can afford one kind of vehicle will opt for something cheaper? The success of the Lexus LS says otherwise. I know long-employed doctors who drive Hondas. Very successful attorneys that drive 10 year old cars. Being able to afford and choosing to pay for are two different things.

In this economic time it's not a shock sales of used cars are high and certainly not hard to believe someone wanting some power, style and luxury would opt for a 27k Kia over a 35k Volvo. Beyond the upfront savings, the reliability, maintenance costs and the warranty/stability of Kia makes it an easy sale for someone willing to splurge on a new car. Volvo's not really stable, not reliable and from painful experience, not cheap to maintain.

Really, when you look at the context of what most loaded midsize sedans offer, it's really hard to go for any of the more entry-level luxury cars.

But in this case, I'd probably get the Volvo, because the Optima's ride quality isn't quite there.

No Hyundai or Kia for me. Bernard Madoff is a more upstanding citizen than the sleazeballs at my local dealership.

Said dealership also charges "market adjustment" fees to the Optima, whereas the Volvo dealership, literally across the street, is more than willing to negotiate. At the end of the day, the Optima may not be much cheaper than the S60... especially if you factor in the "free" maintenance of the latter.

By the numbers comparison testing. Now edmunds I call this a clear low blow. Lets look at this for what it is. You're average full loaded mid size vehicle is nice. It comes with HID, sun roof, nav system, and heated seats. What most buyers don't know is these feature are old news for the entry lux market. Stuff like that were standard on most entry lux cars back in 2004.

I am not argueing that the optima is not a nice car, but what do some of you guys really think the extra 7-10k goes towards?? I'll tell you then, the things you can touch. Features don't make a luxury car what they are. Its the real leather, the real metal, the real wood. The no rattles after 20k miles on the car. the low road noise at cruising speeds. There's a legit reason why most midsize luxury cars wieght 100+ more lbs than the regular midsize sedan and starts with better materials which are often heavier.

I'd go witht he s60 as well considering the optima SX motor trend has for long term just had a engine replacement. So much for kias reliability.

"Toyota and Honda should probably count themselves lucky that Kia can only make a small amount of them a month globally."

Toyota and Honda is not losing any sleep over the Optima since it's selling SLOWER than the Camry and Accord.

Jan '12 avg days on the lot:
Optima = 30
Camry = 28
Accord = 23

The smart folks at Kia are matching production with demand.

Why choose the Volvo over the Kia?

Two reasons:
1. Brand cachet
2. The experience of a car is more than its spec sheet and features list

@bigcjm - If you're going to referrence Motor Trend's Optima SX and it's engine replacement, you should already know it had everything to do with the dummies at the dealer they took it to messing up an oil filter replacement, and nothing to do with the reliability of the car. Kia replaced the engine out of goodwill (and also potentially because the car is a loaner), as they found the potential damage to extensive to risk leaving it in. IL's had theirs for almost a year now and it's been free of any mechanical issues.

We all already know why the S60 costs more, it's just that many people don't find the extra expense of 7-10k worth it, especially if you don't plan on keeping it for a long time.

@vhorizon

Where's the misconception? Volvo has always been a premium brand.

Here's a reference to that in Motor Trend:

"If there's one attribute Swedish premium automaker Volvo is known for, it's safety. " - http://www.motortrend.com/auto_news/112_news130712_volvo_developing_new_safety_systems/

vhorizon, you're confusing "premium" with "pretension," and I would argue that's a point in favor of the Volvo — it's about the only high-end car that you can buy anymore that doesn't have a stigma of pretentiousness associated with it (Acura used to be like that before they decided to stop being, well, Acura).

Also, the Volvo is, two years later, still the only car in its class that has features like Collision Warning with Auto Brake, and not only radar-guided cruise control but also Queue Assist which automatically accelerates and brakes in stop-and-go traffic.

And the materials… hands-down the best in its class, to say nothing of a $20K Kia.

The seats in the Volvo would be enough to win me over. Both in materials and comfort.

The seats in the Optima are kind of cheesy looking in my opinion.

For $25K, I'd get a Fusion Sport, but esoterica nailed the pointlessness of these kinds of comparisons:
"Um, this argument has applied to their two respective classes of car for 20 years, if not longer."

Loading up a lower end car is always more practical than buying a higher end car. It's not a Kia vs Volvo thing. It's a class thing.

Volvo seats FTW. Case closed.

"I am not argueing that the optima is not a nice car, but what do some of you guys really think the extra 7-10k goes towards?"

@bigcjm: Here's another answer - Swedish labor.

For those who scoff at Kia, you may be surprised to hear that they're the #8 best-selling nameplate in the US, trailing only Ford, Chevy, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Dodge, and... Hyundai.

Volvo is #25, trailing even Mitsubishi.

Hey, IL: I'm a fan of the Optima, but your picture and long-term test car are the SX model ($31k), but your price comparison is for the EX Turbo. There's a big difference in price between them. Personally, I'd get the EX, but your comparison is a bit misleading.

As the former owner of a volvo, it's really funny to see comments about volvo as a luxury car.

Lol. wow did i get hate mail, You know the kia fanatics these days will tell you there not a car out there that better than the worst kia. Value value value. That's the whole argument. I challenge you to find a 4 or more car comparison that any kia has ever won.. Though who knows you may fish one out of some no name publication. Anyways ultimately if you're convinced the quality between these two cars are on par then fine, you never change a fan boys mind anyway(they call it bias). I will sternly disagree, that is all.

Also I did say the kia is a good car, but in this world fan boys will ignore comments like that.

@jdubbs115- do you for a moment think they would have replaced your engine if the same thing happened? Its friggin motor trend, they knew who they were dealing with. You're average joe would have been screwed...... Still believe what you want man.

You know I don't think I've ever met a Kia fanatic. I have met a lot of people that have been pleasantly surprised by how good Kias are now and are happy to defend them from people who are a decade out of date but no one I would call a fanatic.

Not sure why the Optimas engine was changed but the transmission on my father-in-laws Volvo S60 was changed (twice) because it failed.

When looking at cars the trick is to ignore the badge and don't fall for the out dated belief that heavy doors + nice trim = a better car.

@bigcjm - I don't think you got hate mail at all; no one called you an idiot or anything. Rather, there's just a difference of opinion in where the disparities between the two lie, and if that disparity is really relevant anymore. It would seem that most people here agree with you that the S60 is the better car, as far as cars go. I actually love the S60, though I find it to be too small and a rental one I wanted to drive couldn't hold my luggage for the week (but a rental Optima did. Just sayin...) But the sales numbers numbers show that one is clearly outselling the other.

I don't doubt that Motor Trend got special treatment, but I'm fairly confident Kia would replace my engine if the same thing happened to me. Such damage is most likely covered under warranty, especially since it was the dealer's fault. It's not like replacing an engine is a new thing for anybody...

The interior of the S60 is nicer than that of the Optima, but not $22k nicer (the Optima starts at $19K, the S60 at $31K), and within its segment, the Optima's interior is near the top.

Now, the S60 does a no. of things better than the Optima, but the Optima does a couple of things better as well; basically, it'll come down to how much value one places on certain things and what compromises one is willing to make when it comes to price and options (is one willing to purchase a more basic S60 and live w/o certain amenities?).

Basically, this type of decision is no diff. than when someone is deciding to purchase an Infiniti G or BMW 3 Series, a 5 Series or an Acura TL, etc.

Having said that, there seems to be quite a few Optima owners (SX trim) who seem to have come from lower end luxury makes/models (Acura. Infiniti G) as well as even some who have were previous BMW owners (including the 5 Series).

These owners all know that there will be certain compromises, but seem pretty pleased with their purchase (and the amount of $$ that is left in their bank account).

Doubt many of these buyers would have done/felt the same if they went from their previous vehicle to say, a Camry.

I traded in a BMW 335i for a loaded Optima SX. 2 months later, so far so good.

I needed a larger family sedan and to get the features of the Optima from BMW, it would have taken the $ necessary to buy 2 Optimas. And I still couldn't have cooled seats.

What this argument really boils down to is this: are you a value shopper or is it meaningless to you?

If the badge trumps all, then this discussion is irrelevant. If you are willing to drive feature-free low end luxury models, then this discussion is irrelevant.

However, it is very relevant if you like features and saving money.

@j2j says

$22K? Your math is off a bit ;) That said, price difference isn't just interior.

@shabadoo25

You can be a "value" shopper in the premium segment - the S60 represents value when you compare it to a similarly optioned BMW or MB.

Between these two, I'd take the Kia, and a fat wallet stuffed with the $6,200 I saved.

@merlot8 You can absolutely value shop in the luxury brands. However, that almost always means a stripper model with minimal features.

The luxury brands overcharge for options like no one's business.

LOL at people who think that a badge implies class...class can't be bought. Fact, both cars are extremely safe and have very good safety ratings. The Kia Optima has excellent safety ratings so that tells me some here don't have a clue what they're talking about.

+1 to Shabadoo

I would have to go with the KIA.

@ bleedlmblue......+ 1,000,000

And the choice for the Optima is spot on. People will continue to scoff at Kia/Hyundai out of ignorance. You can't go wrong with either of the Korean brand these days. Kia simply beats the Volvo hands down on looks and quality in terms of value for the amount of features available. Class is simply irrelevant. The Optima is the smart buy. If it can sway former BMW 3 series owners (shabadoo25), I'm wagering it will sway you.

"For $25K, I'd get a Fusion Sport..."

Good luck finding a Fusion Sport for $25K. The FWD Sport starts at $27.2K, $31.2K by the time you add the sunroof, upgraded stereo, and comfort group. $29K or so after incentives.

I have had my 2011 Sonata now for 21 months and close to 24K miles. It has been mechanically reliable, however body integrity is proving to be below average. Way too any squeaks, creaks, and rattles considering the car's age.

The Volvo would be my choice if I had to choose between the Optima and the S60.

@gslippy

Actually I doubt that Swedish labor is all that much of a factor considering the S60 is manufactured in Belgium.

I am considering an s60 T5 with optional 18" wheels. The areas I have concern about are the air conditioning--which some say is noisy and weak, and the lack of a spare tire. I'd appreciate hearing from current owners on these points.

I test drove both the Kia Optima (SX and EX Turbo) and Volvo S60 T5 multiple times. My experience with each was exactly the opposite. I started out excited about the Optima because of the features and styling for the money, but the more time I spent with it, the more it felt like a compromise for the sake of value. On the other hand, I started out skeptical of the S60 because of the extra expense (and the fact that I had never considered buying a Volvo), but the more time I spent with it the more I really appreciated the better materials, ride quality, etc... For me, the Volvo was the obvious choice. Of course, I'm in my early 40's and 15 years ago I probably would have gone with the Optima. It all comes down to what is important to you.

To the person asking about the air conditioning on the S60, it seems plenty strong to me (far better than my previous car). At normal settings, it is pretty quiet...of course, if you crank it up to max, the blower is noticeable.

Bottom line...I went with the S60 and am exceedingly pleased with it.

I am curious to know what owners of the s60 T5 are getting as far as mileage? I have heard reports of people averaging 27 or so in spirited mixed driving--which I think is good.