Kia Optima vs Audi A8
What's the difference?

Kia Optima

$14,670 - $22,990

2018 price

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Audi A8

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2023 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

2023 Audi A8

By Matt Campbell

By James Cleary

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Inline 4, 2.4L

Diesel Turbo V6, 3.0L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol

Diesel/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

8.3L/100km (combined)

5.9L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Very roomy
Great ownership plan
Decent price

Refinement
Quality
Value

Dislikes

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

Big turning circle
No folding rear seat
No front door bottle slots

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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2023 Audi A8 Summary

Audi’s flagship is the A8, a long, luxurious sedan where being driven is often as important as doing the driving.

To put this ultra-premium machine in context, it competes with other German heavyweights like BMW’s 7 Series and, of course, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class as well as Porsche’s Panamera. Not to mention the Lexus LS or Maserati’s Quattroporte.

What’s life like at the top of the Audi pyramid? Stay with us to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2018 Kia Optima 2023 Audi A8

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 A8 swims in a luxury car shark tank where those paying the big dollars expect top-shelf everything. It delivers a serene driving experience whether you’re in the front or the back, in a superbly engineered and executed luxury sedan package. Not perfect, but very, very impressive.

Kia Optima vs Audi A8 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Kia Optima vs Audi A8
What's the difference?