2020 Kia Optima
Starting at
$23,390
2020 Ford Fusion
Starting at
$23,170
| 178 - 245 | Horsepower (HP) | 141 - 245 |
| 192 | Hybrid Horsepower (HP) | 188 |
| 27 / 37 | Max Fuel Economy Gas (MPG) | 23 / 34 |
We loved the 2019 Kia Optima, and we really love the 2020 Optima. This sedan is fuel-efficient, packed to the brim with excellent safety features, and has an excellent infotainment system even on the base model. Not all models can say that. When you shop for a new car, we know you don't just look at one model, you will want to compare it with other sedans, including the 2020 Ford Fusion. To help show you why we think the Optima is number one, here is our comparison of the 2020 Kia Optima vs 2020 Ford Fusion.
When you start your search for a new car, for many drivers, the cost is the first thing to look at. The current MSRP for the 2020 Kia Optima is $23,390. The Ford Fusion has a very similar MSRP at $23,170. With starting costs being so similar, let's dive into what makes the Kia Optima stand out.
Performance
The 2020 Kia Optima's Engine Offerings
The 2020 Kia Optima has three engines available, and that's before we get into the hybrid options.
Available on the Optima LX, S, and Special Edition, is a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine. With this engine under the hood, drivers expect up to 185 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. As for fuel efficiency, this powerful engine will save you a bit at the pump with an EPA-estimate of 25 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway.
If you are looking for a turbocharged engine, the 2020 Kia Optima has you covered. With the EX and EX Premium trims, drivers can get a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. This engine gets up to 178 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque and is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The best part is that this engine has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of up to 27 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway.
The third, and definitely not the last option, is a turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder engine that gets up to 245 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. With all this power, drivers won't sacrifice much at the pump. With this engine, the 2020 Kia Optima has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 21 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway. You can find this engine equipped on the SX trim.
As mentioned previously, Kia does have 2020 Optima Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid models available. The 2020 Optima Hybrid has a fuel economy estimated at 42 MPG combined (40 city/45 highway) while using a 2.0L four-cylinder engine. The 2020 Kia Optima Hybrid's engine is definitely a powerful machine, getting up to 192 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque.
The 2020 Optima Plug-In option has a complete electric range of 28 miles and has a fuel economy estimated at 100 MPGe.
The 2020 Ford Fusion
As for the Ford Fusion, you have four engine options available. When focusing on the gasoline engines, you have three choices. The first is a 1.5L EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine, and the other is a 2.0L EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine. The third engine choice is a 2.5L i-CVT engine, and the hybrid and hybrid plug-in models use a 2.0L hybrid engine.
The 2.5L i-CVT engine gets up to 175 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. The 1.5L engine boosts those numbers up a little to 181 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. As for the 2.0L i-CVT engine, drivers can expect between 231 and 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. The 2.0L hybrid engine will only get up to 141 horsepower and 129 lb-ft of torque.
With the hybrid engine, when the gasoline engine and electric motor are combined, the model can produce up to 188 horsepower. If you're looking for the best overall fuel economy between the two gas engines and the hybrid engine, you'll want to go with this option. With the hybrid engine, you'll receive 43 miles per gallon in the city and 41 miles per gallon on the highway. It's clear that when it comes to hybrid engines, Kia has Ford beat.
Entertainment
The 2020 Kia Optima
The 2020 Kia Optima comes with a plethora of entertainment features, enough to satisfy any driver. Standard features include an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that came with Siri Eyes Free. Also standard is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing you to use all of your favorite apps through the included infotainment system. Upgrading to the top-of-the-line SX trim gets you a 10-speaker Harmon Kardon premium audio system. Also included is a wireless charger for your devices and ambient lighting with six color options.
The 2020 Kia Optima also features Kia's UVO Link. This link allows you to remotely start your car, set the temperature from your smartphone, lock and unlock your vehicle remotely, and much more. One of the best features is the ability to connect to your vehicle through Alexa or Google Home.
The 2020 Ford Fusion
As for the 2020 Ford Fusion, you will receive the Ford SYNC infotainment system. This system provides Wi-Fi as a standard feature. If you're someone who wants to stream a number of applications without relying on your phone, this is a handy offering. It also comes with an available 12-speaker sound system by Sony. Now, while Sony isn't bad in terms of audio quality, you really can't compare the audio production or quality of Sony with that of Harmon Kardon. If you want the finest quality audio possible, you'll want to go with the 2020 Kia Optima.
With the Ford Wi-Fi feature, you will have access to FordPass Connect. This is a service that pairs your mobile phone with the vehicle. It allows up to 10 devices to pair with the Wi-Fi at once, and you can even connect up to 50 feet away. Through the FordPass Connect app, you can stay informed with your mobile vehicle in order to figure out how it is functioning if it needs fuel, and other requirements while you're not sitting in the car.
Safety
The 2020 Kia Optima
You'll find some solid safety features in both the 2020 Kia Optima and the 2020 Ford Focus. The 2020 Kia Optima includes features like blind spot collision warning, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist. One feature drivers will truly appreciate is smart cruise control with stop and go. When in use, this system uses a radar to monitor the distance between you and the driver in front of you. This will make driving in rush hour a breeze.
Another great safety feature is the driver attention warning. This feature will monitor the driver and provide alerts if it finds the driver's attention to the road has been reduced. The 2020 Kia Optima will also come with the four-wheel ABS and four-wheel disc brakes, plus airbags and the other standard safety features you'd expect in a modern sedan.
The 2020 Ford Focus
The 2020 Ford Focus will come with its own configuration of safety features. You'll find the same airbags and four-wheel ABS and disc brakes on this vehicle as well. Plus, it includes the Ford spectrum of safety features. This includes the Ford Co-Pilot 360, which helps maintain your attention and apply brakes when necessary. It uses a Lane-Keeping System, so if your vehicle starts to wander into a different lane, it will notify you. And, if the car has detected you've started to wander a few times in a short period of time, it will suggest you take a break.
If you decide to go with the Ford Fusion Hybrid edition, the Hybrid model will include what Ford calls its SmartGauge. This will help keep you informed in real-time what kind of energy reserves you have and how efficient you are driving. It will also make suggestions on what you can change in order to improve your fuel efficiency.
