Hyundai Genesis vs. Kia Optima
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Hyundai Genesis and Kia Optima contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Hyundai Genesis and the Kia Optima.
When we compare the Hyundai Genesis's and the Kia Optima's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai Genesis has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. The Kia Optima has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Hyundai Genesis's and the Kia Optima's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2016 Hyundai Genesis ranges from $9,310 to $19,999 while a used 2016 Kia Optima is priced between $6,900 to $15,995.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Hyundai Genesis’s base engine makes 311 horsepower, and the Kia Optima base engine makes 185 horsepower. The Genesis is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 589 miles. The Optima is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 648 miles. This gives the Kia Optima the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Hyundai Genesis. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Hyundai Genesis has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room and rear shoulder room. The Kia Optima has the advantage in the areas of rear leg room cargo space.
Safety Ratings: The Kia Optima has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
38750
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
24126
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
21495 - 38750
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
22140
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
24126
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
21495 - 38750
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
14745
Price Range:
9310 - 19999
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
12398
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
9889 - 16048
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
71
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
94472
# Good or Great Deals:
24
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
11288
Price Range:
6900 - 15995
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
12398
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
9889 - 16048
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Hyundai Genesis Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Kia Optima Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.8 / 10
Reliability:
7.3 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Hyundai Genesis
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
2.2
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
2.4
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
0.1 - 4.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.062
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Optima
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
2.4
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
0.1 - 4.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.062
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.10559799653543
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
5.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.9 - 10.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.394496616979133
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
5.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.9 - 10.1
Hyundai Genesis Rankings
Not yet available
Kia Optima Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 4Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 4Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Hyundai Genesis Trim Levels
3.8L, 5.0L
Kia Optima Trim Levels
EX, LX, LX Turbo, SX Turbo, SXL Turbo
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
311 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
293 foot-lbs @ 5000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.075 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
185 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
178 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.057 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.8 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
18 / 29 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
365 / 589 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
24 / 35 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
444 / 648 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
45.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.1 inches
Cargo Space:
15.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
107.7 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
45.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.4 inches
Cargo Space:
15.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
104.8 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4138 lbs
Width:
74.4 inches
Height:
58.3 inches
Length:
196.5 inches
Wheelbase:
118.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3219 lbs
Width:
73.2 inches
Height:
57.7 inches
Length:
191.1 inches
Wheelbase:
110.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P245/45R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
205/65R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Caspian Black
Blue
Ibiza Blue / Montecito Blue
Brown
Manhattan Brown
Gray
Empire State Gray / Parisian Gray
Red
Pamplona Red
Silver
Santiago Silver
White
Casablanca White
Exterior Colors
Black
Aurora Black Pearl / Ebony Black
Blue
Horizon Blue
Brown
Not available
Gray
Moss Gray / Platinum Graphite
Red
Sangria
Silver
Sparkling Silver / Titanium Silver
White
Snow White Pearl
Interior Colors
Beige
Beige
Black
Black
Gray
Gray
White
Ivory
Interior Colors
Beige
Beige
Black
Black
Gray
Not available
White
Not available
