Kia Optima vs. Ford Taurus

 

As a savvy car shopper in the Patterson, NJ  market, you know there are a lot four-door sedans out there. The Kia Optima and the Ford Taurus are both stand-outs for their respective manufacturers. These two popular sedans are appealing and have many similar features, but how does the luxury mid-sized Optima in Patterson, NJ stack up against the full-sized Taurus?

Exterior

You can immediately see the visual differences between the Optima and the Taurus. The Taurus looks large. It's a handsome vehicle that has its own conservative style with a little flare, like its chrome-tipped exhaust.

 

The Kia Optima is known for being a looker. A regular standout in the sedan world, the Optima has a sportier design with sleek, smooth lines. The front end features the characteristic Kia "tiger nose," but with a modern grille and revamped headlight shape.

 

While dimensions are similar for both cars, the Taurus is longer by about a foot.

Interior

 

Even with that foot of space, the Kia Optima has considerably more front legroom than the Ford Taurus. Both vehicles accommodate five people, and the Optima's quality leather seats add luxury and comfort to your ride. The Taurus and the Optima both have front seat heating options, but the Optima also offers optional rear seat heating.  The steering wheel of the Optima is even heated. These are great options for frigid Patterson, NJ winters.

 

Kia's UVOtechnology and Ford's Sync interface are both born of Microsoft and have similar features and functionalities. UVO seems to be a slightly more user-friendly system, though both systems are strong, reliable performers.  

Engine and Performance

The Ford Taurus drives like the larger vehicle it is, though it certainly outperforms most full-sized sedans in its class. It has a smooth ride and a quiet cabin, making the driving and riding experiences quite pleasant. With the standard 3.5-liter V6 engine, the Taurus gets a respectable 19 miles per gallon in the city and 29 on the highway with 288 horsepower. The optional 2.0-liter turbocharged engine increases fuel economy to 22 miles per gallon in the city and 32 on the highway.

Still, it falls short of the Optima's 23 miles per gallon in the city and 34 on the highway with the optional 274-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. Optima's standard 2.4-liter engine puts out 200 horsepower and bumps up the fuel economy standard to 24 miles per gallon in the city and 35 on the highway. In addition to the better fuel economy, Optima's smaller overall size means better handling, making this a really fun car to drive when you're zipping around turns. The suspension system is geared toward comfort, and it gives the Optima a luxurious, gliding ride.

Safety

Both the Ford Taurus and the Kia Optima are loaded with features to make even the most safety-conscious consumer feel at ease behind the wheel. They both earned five-star ratings in government crash tests.  Standard features in both cars include side and side curtain air bags, antilock disc brakes, and stability and traction control features. Optional features for both cars include blind spot warning systems and rearview cameras.

The Kia's UVO system also has collision notification and roadside assistance features. Edmunds conducted brake testing on the Optima, finding that the EX trim model at a speed of 60 miles per hour completed its stop in 121 feet, beating the industry average for mid-sized sedans.

Jack Daniels Kia, your Patterson, NJ dealership, is here to serve you. With the best selection of Kias around, you will be glad you stopped by. Let our helpful associates put you in your dream Kia today.