Kia Optima vs Audi A4
What's the difference?

Kia Optima

$14,670 - $22,990

2018 price

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Audi A4

$28,850 - $47,950

2021 price

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Maserati Quattroporte

Mazda 6

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz C43

Mercedes-Benz C63

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz EQS

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Summary

2018 Kia Optima

2021 Audi A4

By Matt Campbell

By Marcus Craft

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Inline 4, 2.4L

Diesel Turbo, 2.0L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol

Diesel

Fuel Efficiency

8.3L/100km (combined)

5.2L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Very roomy
Great ownership plan
Decent price

Nice to drive
Looks good
Impressive interior

Dislikes

Removed some good stuff to lower price
Not as good looking as pre-facelift model
A bit basic inside

Space-saver tyre
Short warranty
Paying extra for driver-assist tech

2018 Kia Optima Summary

There are plenty of reasons why you should still consider a mid-sized sedan like the Kia Optima. I’m sure there are… just let me think about this for a sec…

Okay, so this part of the market is dying. A decade ago, sedans like this were really popular, but now there are heaps of alternative options. Yep, people are going for mid-sized SUVs rather than mid-sized sedans like this.

But that doesn’t mean models like the just-updated 2018 Kia Optima are without their reasons for being. I’m just not sure the facelift has made it more appealing to look at…

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2021 Audi A4 Summary

The Audi A4 allroad is the off-roader of the A4 line-up. I’m using the term ‘off-roader’ loosely here because this wagon is obviously best suited to daily duties in a city and suburbs, with perhaps an occasional foray into very light off-roading, i.e. driving on a well-maintained gravel or dirt road with few, if any, corrugations, and in dry weather only.

But that’s not a negative factor because the great thing about adventures is that they can be scaled to suit you, your lifestyle and your vehicle of choice.

However, is this allroad your best option for a comfortable, nice-driving all-rounder? Read on.

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Deep dive comparison

2018 Kia Optima 2021 Audi A4

Verdict

If you travel long distances, want a good amount of space and don’t want to pay big bucks for a new car, then yeah, maybe there is a reason sedans like this will hang around for a while longer.

Sure, the appeal of sedans mightn’t be as strong as it once was, but models like the Kia Optima prove they still have a reason to exist.

Verdict

The Audi A4 allroad 40 TDI quattro S Tronic is a nice-looking wagon that’s fun to drive.

It’s packed with tech, adequately functional for daily life and it’s also capable enough off-road as long as the driving surface is nothing more challenging than well-maintained gravel or dirt tracks in dry weather, and you’re not planning a rough-and-tumble expedition into remote bushland.

As I mentioned earlier, the great thing about adventures is that you can scale them to suit you and your vehicle and the allroad offers a nice stepping-stone for people who’d like to experience the outdoorsy lifestyle, before perhaps diving deeper into it.

Kia Optima vs Audi A4 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Kia Optima vs Audi A4
What's the difference?