Kia Optima vs Hyundai i45 Elite

There's only one model in the Optima range, so you have little in the way of options to select, apart from "prestige" paint. The features list is extensive, including a reversing camera and rear sensors, heated front seats, electrochromatic rear vision mirror, keyless entry and go, ventilated driver's seat, power adjustment on both and height range for the driver. There's also 18in alloys with 45-profile tyres, a trip computer, dual zone climate control, auxiliary and USB inputs, although the iPhone prefers to play music through the seven-speaker 6CD sound system via the Bluetooth. A full-size spare resides beneath the boot floor but there's no satnav, not even as an option.

The Elite's features stands up well, particularly given the pricetag - including rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, keyless entry and go, remote central locking, cruise control, height-adjustable driver's seat, reach and rake wheel adjustment. There's also 17in alloys with 55-profile tyres, a trip computer, single-zone climate control, auxiliary and USB inputs,a six-speaker single-CD sound system via the Bluetooth. A full-size spare resides beneath the boot floor but satnav is a $1000 option. The top spec Premium model gets 18in alloys, sports suspension, Bluetooth, 6CD stacker, a subwoofer, powered front seats, electrochromatic rear vision mirror, sunroof and touchscreen satnav.

The 2.4-litre engine offers 148kW (up 11 per cent) and 250Nm (eight per cent) with a 16-valve direct-injection top-end, two-stage variable induction system and variable valve timing. The six-speed automatic is an in-house Hyundai/Kia transmission, with Eco mode and paddleshifters. The ADR claim is 7.9 litres per 100km, sipping from a 70-litre tank for each car. The little back to back drive we did showed 8.1 on the i45's trip computer and 8.5 on the Kia's, perhaps due to its extra weight and that it encourages more spirited driving. There's also the Sachs dampers that have a valving system designed to give ride quality and handling, which was localised to good effect by Kia staffers and consultants prior to Australian introduction.

The 2.4-litre engine and six-speed automatic is shared with the Kia, although it manages one fewer gram per kilometre than the Optima, perhaps due to a slightly ligher kerb weight. Both cars sit on MacPherson strut front and mutli-link rear suspension, with dampers that uses clever valves to react to damping forces - given that the first incarnation of the i45 was taken back before we drove it the frame of reference is incomplete. The company also upgraded the underpinnings with stiffer spring rates, thicker anti-roll bars and recalibrated dampers for its 2011 line-up.

By far the funkier looking of the two, the Optima - designed in-house in German and California - has an aggressive stance and sporty mesh grilles. The shoulder lines look great in profile but rear passengers might feel a little claustrophobic at the lifting line towards the C-pillar.

The Hyundai is certainly a more conservative look than the Kia's Schreyer-family looks; it's a more mainstream grille treatment, more chrome trim accents and there are no "look at me" LED running light, but it's still something of a head-turner nonetheless - no whitegoods on wheels here.

The obligatory stability control, anti-lock brakes, dual front, side and full-length curtain airbags are all on the list. The Optima also has automatic xenon HID headlights with LED tail lights and front running lights but no rain-sensing wipers. The brakes use discs all round but only the front rotors are ventilated.

The passive and active safety features list is on par with the Optima - stability control, anti-lock brakes, dual front, side and full-length curtain airbags, with the rain-sensing wipers missing from the Optima, but the i45 has only conventional headlights.

The driver-oriented cabin and low-slung stance say "driver's car" and Kia's aim at a younger demographic is easy to see. It feels more taut than its Korean kissing cousin, sitting on a suspension that's firm but not uncomfortable - it also turns in and holds in the corners at a level which its predecessors could only dream. Steering feel isn't overwhelming but the weighting is good. Rear legroom is adequate - I can sit behind my 191cm frame's driving position, but even with a scalloped roof lining headroom is at a premium in the Kia, something that's less of an issue in the rear of its relative.

The Hyundai i45 Elite and Premium models sit either side - in pricing terms - of the Kia Optima, which sits on a larger-diameter wheel tyre package. The higher-profile tyres of the Hyundai will take a little more sting out of the smaller bumps but it is soon cleaar the i45 has been tuned for ride quality. Even with clever dampers the localised suspension of the Kia feels better-sorted. That's not say the i45 is an unpleasant drive - it's not bad at all - but steering rack rattle from the lifeless and oddly-weighted steering and a bit body roll betrays the comfort-oriented set-up.