2016 Kia Optima vs 2016 Volkswagen Passat

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[TheSirUno]

How on earth is an analog clock a joke? It's just plain classic, practical, and tasteful looking. Still have them on cars costing $200K and up.

[joecampbell]

You lost me when you criticized the analog clock, that's nice touch.

[dootdoot]

-1 for making fun of Analog clock. Those are classic.

[molo]

For a moment i thought i was watching vehicle virgins lol

[carstonjohnson]

I swear, there is something magical about that little 1.8 liter in the VW. It is so much more powerful than you'd ever expect if you haven't driven one. Both are fine cars though, it just depends if you want bang for the buck or refinement. It would be nice if something offered both at the same time.

[ayeealbores]

Will go for Volkswagen Passat. Solid car indeed. The feel of experiencing decent driving is just unbeatable!! I love my VW Passat!!

[mdossantosd]

The KIA appeals to people who use the word "fancy". The VW appeals to people with class, taste and appreciation for a quality product. The KIA is for those that think eating as much trash food as they can at Hometown Buffet is the way to go, the VW is for those that dine at a nice local Italian restaurant with table service.

[carmel]

I think the VR6 (VW's V6 engine) version of the Passat should be compared to the Kia Optima SX (the trim with the 2.0L Turbo).  And the 1.8 Turbo Inline--4 of the Passat would go with the normally aspirated 2.4L Inline-4 in the Optima LX and EX (their top sellers).

[GranDaddo]

US Passat is waaay different than EU Passat. Drove company Passat two months ago and it was just superb on 5hrs drive.

[mckensiehoggle]

I like how they choose 2 totally different cars. You have a $35, 000 Kia loaded and a $22, 000 Volkswagen standard grade. The Kia has a v6 motor in it and the Volkswagen has a 1.8 liter. I drive a 2007 v6 Volkswagen and to this day it still will get up and go and will leave other cars in its dust. Volkswagen is a great dependable car.

[ssr]

Where's the vr6 passat with 280 horsepower?

[minnesnowtan]

I was planning on getting a Jetta but I got a '15 Passat. Old man car? Children, use your words to say what that really means. Otherwise you sound like you're still having parent issues. My Passat has three pedals, not just two like most Americans buy. Paddles shifters are as sporty as an xbox, but if you are a real driver then you know how to finesse a clutch and pass anything. As for the clock being a joke, it actually has a couple of pointers (called "hands", yeah, it's strange) and these pointers in conjunction with the 12 number dial (round gauge) actually indicate the time. You don't need a digital display to know the time, and once you learn to use it, a quick glance is all you need. People often call things that they don't understand "a joke".

From August 2015 to June 2016, my overall fuel economy has been 31.7mpg. That includes a Minnesota winter, but the car was garaged. And it covered about 20, 000 miles. I have done curves marked 25mph at 40mph with no roll or hint of tire squeal. When going through 50 or 55mph sections of freeway construction, I get 45+ mpg in cruise control and some of my 25 mile trips have averaged over 40 mpg. On those same trips, I have "merged" onto a highway just as the traffic had a green light, so rather than try to find a place in that crowd I just shift to third and floor it, passing the lead cars while I am in the acceleration lane. I'll soon be at 65 or 70mph, and then I'll be on the main road and gently shift it into high gear and set cruise control. A great balance of power and economy, especially with the third pedal.

[Vencarter]

test drove both, including the 2016 honda civic. totally fell for the kia as soon as i started driving it, hot damn they've stepped up their game so much. i freaking love it, mine isnt even loaded and id still take it over that vw.

[thiagolima]

number 1 in word, number 1 in Europe, number in China ... VOLKSWAGEN !!!!

[brandonfriesen]

So the Passat lost because:
-It feels like your an old man(classy, no?)
-Steering is a little dead on centre
And the Kia won because:
-It feels sporty
-Looks good
Buyers who want midsize cars, do not care about sportiness. They care about fuel economy, practicality, and value. All attributes that these guys said the Passat is better at, so no AutoGuide, you're wrong.
-Sincerely a Mazda6 owner.

[jamesg]

what the hell is autoguide talking about? Kia is the same thing as hyundai and they typically sell the same. The comment about them being not well known is a thing of the past. They are more then relevant..

[heyitsme]

put that led lightning package on the Passat and that thing is one sexy car.

[herczeus]

Really? Every other review says the Optima is way ahead of the Passat in every imaginable way!

[jasonlemon]

I have both a 2017 kia optima and a 2015 TDI Passat. both are great cars

[kpag]

The Passat STARTS at 36, 000...
The Kia starts around 23, 000. It's fully loaded at 37, 000. That's so much car for the money in that class