Sonata or Optima

May 4th, 2015 6:10 pm

#1

haristo [OP]: Jr. Member; Oct 26, 2008; 118 posts; 60 upvotes; Saint-Laurent

May 4th, 2015 6:10 pm

Thinking of changing my wifes car and narrowed it down between 2011+ Hyundai Sonata Limited or Kia Optima Ex

Anything special to look for? Problems with that generation, feedback is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

May 4th, 2015 6:52 pm

#2

masarwar: Deal Addict; Jan 13, 2014; 2499 posts; 1600 upvotes; Calgary

May 4th, 2015 6:52 pm

I love the styling of sonata better but Kia has more options. You could probably pick up the sonata cheap as well.

May 4th, 2015 7:00 pm

#3

coupondiva2012: Deal Addict; Dec 31, 2011; 2715 posts; 968 upvotes; Yellowknife

May 4th, 2015 7:00 pm

haristo wrote: ↑Thinking of changing my wifes car and narrowed it down between 2011+ Hyundai Sonata Limited or Kia Optima Ex

Anything special to look for? Problems with that generation, feedback is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

check which had the most recalls
this may help with the decision
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchSafetyIssues

May 4th, 2015 7:17 pm

#4

Gutty96: Deal Guru; Jun 24, 2006; 13408 posts; 7661 upvotes

May 4th, 2015 7:17 pm

I just checked, as I was looking at an Optima as well.

Only one minor recall for the 2011 model year. Unless I missed something.

Any more thoughts on these cars for the OP's (and maybe mine) decision?

May 4th, 2015 8:06 pm

#5

bizzyseller: Deal Addict; May 9, 2003; 1975 posts; 1237 upvotes

May 4th, 2015 8:06 pm

I like the Optima's styling better. However, I would buy the Sonata.

For the reason that it is a higher volume car and parts + service (knowhow) are likely more abundant.

May 4th, 2015 8:11 pm

#6

Gutty96: Deal Guru; Jun 24, 2006; 13408 posts; 7661 upvotes

May 4th, 2015 8:11 pm

bizzyseller wrote: ↑I like the Optima's styling better. However, I would buy the Sonata.

For the reason that it is a higher volume car and parts + service (knowhow) are likely more abundant.

Doesn't Hyundai own Kia? Meaning they are likely very similar for parks and knowhow?

May 4th, 2015 8:25 pm

#7

DJ_Peanuts22: Deal Expert; Feb 26, 2004; 26998 posts; 4331 upvotes

May 4th, 2015 8:25 pm

new or used?

May 4th, 2015 8:31 pm

#8

coupondiva2012: Deal Addict; Dec 31, 2011; 2715 posts; 968 upvotes; Yellowknife

May 4th, 2015 8:31 pm

Gutty96 wrote: ↑Doesn't Hyundai own Kia? Meaning they are likely very similar for parks and knowhow?

Yes. Same company.

May 4th, 2015 8:32 pm

#9

coupondiva2012: Deal Addict; Dec 31, 2011; 2715 posts; 968 upvotes; Yellowknife

May 4th, 2015 8:32 pm

DJ_Peanuts22 wrote: ↑new or used?

I think OP said 2011 +. Probably used.

May 4th, 2015 8:37 pm

#10

win-star: Deal Addict; Mar 10, 2009; 2770 posts; 391 upvotes; Mississauga

May 4th, 2015 8:37 pm

the sonata and optima shares the same engine and majority of the mechanical components.

+1

May 4th, 2015 8:43 pm

#11

JeganV: Deal Addict; Apr 22, 2013; 2976 posts; 2410 upvotes; Markham

May 4th, 2015 8:43 pm

Which ever one you like the styling of. They're practically the same car with a different body.

+1

May 4th, 2015 11:06 pm

#12

haristo [OP]: Jr. Member; Oct 26, 2008; 118 posts; 60 upvotes; Saint-Laurent

May 4th, 2015 11:06 pm

Are there little changes or additions on these models for each year?

Just want to be assured that if I buy a 2011 model I'm getting all the same features as the 2013 model

May 5th, 2015 1:43 am

#13

Solsearchin1: Deal Fanatic; Nov 24, 2012; 5889 posts; 2135 upvotes; Space

May 5th, 2015 1:43 am

2.4L engines have a timing chain defect or design flaw. Lots of timing chains snapping on Hyundai/Kia 2.4L engines. Not sure if they fixed the issue in 2011 models but I believe it was 07-13 models.

+1

May 5th, 2015 6:09 am

#14

Gutty96: Deal Guru; Jun 24, 2006; 13408 posts; 7661 upvotes

May 5th, 2015 6:09 am

Solsearchin1 wrote: ↑2.4L engines have a timing chain defect or design flaw. Lots of timing chains snapping on Hyundai/Kia 2.4L engines. Not sure if they fixed the issue in 2011 models but I believe it was 07-13 models.

Source?

May 5th, 2015 8:32 am

#15

golden: Deal Fanatic; Jan 15, 2004; 7324 posts; 1865 upvotes

May 5th, 2015 8:32 am

Kia looks better inside and out. My friend has an Optima EX and it's been generally trouble free, other than some rattling after a few years. Isn't the Sonata Limited a higher trim than the Optima EX though?

May 5th, 2015 8:47 am

#16

Siward: Member; Mar 15, 2008; 269 posts; 32 upvotes

May 5th, 2015 8:47 am

There has been a growing number of sonata engines seizing up.
http://www.carcomplaints.com/Hyundai/So ... 11/engine/

http://www.hyundai-forums.com/yf-2011-s ... filed.html

May 5th, 2015 8:51 am

#17

Gutty96: Deal Guru; Jun 24, 2006; 13408 posts; 7661 upvotes

May 5th, 2015 8:51 am

Siward wrote: ↑There has been a growing number of sonata engines seizing up.
http://www.carcomplaints.com/Hyundai/So ... 11/engine/

http://www.hyundai-forums.com/yf-2011-s ... filed.html

Are we sure it is the same engine? No seizing for the Kia.

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Kia/Optima/2011/

May 5th, 2015 8:56 am

#18

Pete_Coach: Deal Expert; May 10, 2005; 36455 posts; 10770 upvotes; Ottawa

May 5th, 2015 8:56 am

Solsearchin1 wrote: ↑2.4L engines have a timing chain defect or design flaw. Lots of timing chains snapping on Hyundai/Kia 2.4L engines. Not sure if they fixed the issue in 2011 models but I believe it was 07-13 models.

2011 was a completely different car and engine. Don't know where you got your information but it seems incorrect.
I have a 2011 Optima Turbo and love it. I think the 2016 will have some body changes but up till 2015, the changes are very small and really, unnoticeable.
I have, on occasion, rented a Sonata and I like it a lot. The Sonata is more in line with Camry or Maxima for style and functionality whereas the Optima is a bit lower and sportier.
Now, the real key is, what does the Wife like

May 5th, 2015 9:59 am

#19

haristo [OP]: Jr. Member; Oct 26, 2008; 118 posts; 60 upvotes; Saint-Laurent

May 5th, 2015 9:59 am

What about the turbo model? are they reliable? im open to both the 2.4 and turbo model.

May 5th, 2015 10:10 am

#20

The_Professor: Deal Addict; Jan 14, 2007; 4672 posts; 1931 upvotes; GTA

May 5th, 2015 10:10 am

You should probably also consider the respective dealer networks.....one brand may be significantly more convenient for you (if you plan to service at the dealer that is).

+1