Verdict
The RM18,975 cheaper Peugeot 408 makes the stronger value case for a Malaysian buyer: its 1.6-litre turbo delivers 215 hp and 300 Nm, adds autonomous braking, collision warning and blind-spot monitoring, and carries a seven-year/200,000-km warranty. The Kia Optima answers with a properly stronger 242 hp/350 Nm 2.0-litre turbo, cutting the 0-100 km/h time from 8.8 to 7.4 seconds. It is also 168 mm longer, has a 70-litre tank and more lavish front seats. Pick based on priorities, because the Optima’s RM379 annual road tax is RM289 higher than the 408’s RM90.
Pick the Kia Optima if you want the quicker 7.4-second sprint, 350 Nm and ventilated, heated power front seats with a panoramic sunroof.
Pick the Peugeot 408 if you want to spend RM18,975 less while gaining autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, a larger 536-litre boot and a seven-year warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Optima RM165,030; Peugeot 408 RM146,055.
- Performance: Kia Optima 242 hp/350 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds; Peugeot 408 215 hp/300 Nm and 8.8 seconds.
- Size: Kia Optima 4,855 mm long with a 2,805 mm wheelbase; Peugeot 408 4,687 mm long with a 2,787 mm wheelbase.
- Boot and tank: Kia Optima 510 litres and 70 litres; Peugeot 408 536 litres and 52 litres.
- Road tax and warranty: Kia Optima RM379/year and five years unlimited mileage; Peugeot 408 RM90/year and seven years/200,000 km.
- Driver assistance: Kia Optima has no autonomous braking or blind-spot system; Peugeot 408 has autonomous braking, collision warning and blind-spot monitoring.
Optima
- 242 hp and 350 Nm; 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds.
- Heated and ventilated power front seats, driver memory and panoramic sunroof.
- Larger 70-litre fuel tank and full-size 18-inch alloy spare wheel.
- Costs RM18,975 more and incurs RM289 more annual road tax.
- Lacks the 408’s autonomous braking, collision warning and blind-spot monitoring.
- Smaller 510-litre boot versus the 408’s 536 litres.
408
- RM146,055 price, plus RM90 annual road tax.
- Autonomous braking, collision warning and blind-spot monitoring.
- 536-litre boot, 10-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and seven-year/200,000-km warranty.
- Slower than the Optima: 215 hp/300 Nm and 8.8 seconds to 100 km/h versus 242 hp/350 Nm and 7.4 seconds.
- Smaller 52-litre tank versus the Optima’s 70 litres.
- Manual passenger-seat adjustment and no panoramic sunroof, front-seat ventilation or heating.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM165,030 | RM146,055✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM90✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | 242 hp✓ | 215 hp |
| Torque | 350 Nm✓ | 300 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 86 mm | 77 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-Speed Automatic | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds✓ | 8.8 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 8.5 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | — |
| Co2 | 191 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,855 mm | 4,687 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,859 mm |
| Height | 1,455 mm | 1,510 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,805 mm | 2,787 mm |
| Weight | 1,580 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 52 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 510 litres | 536 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/45R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/45R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size 18" Alloy | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 3 | Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Granite Grey Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Granite Grey Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Side and Curtain Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three Point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available on Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | — |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Dynamic LED Projector | LED |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats, Heated and Ventilated, with Memory Function for Driver | Driver Powered Seat, Manual Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual rear door window shades | — |
| Audio | 7.0" touchscreen with 6 speakers | 10" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Operation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 200,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 7 years✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Optima & 408 for sale
Optima vs 408 FAQ
Is the Kia Optima or Peugeot 408 better?
The Peugeot 408 is the better buy on price, road tax, active safety and warranty. Choose the Kia Optima only if its 27 hp, 50 Nm, 1.4-second quicker sprint and richer front-seat equipment matter more to you.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Optima costs RM165,030 and the Peugeot 408 costs RM146,055, so the Optima is RM18,975 more expensive. Its annual road tax is also RM379 versus RM90 for the 408.
Which has the bigger boot and longer warranty?
The Peugeot 408 has the bigger 536-litre boot, 26 litres ahead of the Optima’s 510 litres. It also has a seven-year/200,000-km warranty, compared with five years and unlimited mileage for the Kia.