Verdict
The Kia Optima is the stronger numbers-led buy at RM165,030: its 242 hp/350 Nm 2.0-litre turbo gets from 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, versus the Camry’s 201 hp/246 Nm, 8.9-second 2.5-litre. It also saves a Malaysian owner RM488 a year in road tax. But the RM56,770 dearer Toyota Camry brings seven airbags, pre-collision braking, blind-spot monitoring, steering correction and adaptive cruise control, plus a 360-degree camera. Choose the Optima for pace and price; pay for the Camry if active safety matters more.
The Camry 2.5 HEV (RM248,800) sits above every Optima variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the Kia Optima if you want 242 hp, 350 Nm and a 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time for RM56,770 less.
Pick the Toyota Camry if you want seven airbags, pre-collision braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Optima RM165,030; Toyota Camry RM221,800.
- Output: Kia Optima 242 hp and 350 Nm; Toyota Camry 201 hp and 246 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Kia Optima 7.4 seconds; Toyota Camry 8.9 seconds.
- Road tax per year: Kia Optima RM379; Toyota Camry RM867.
- Safety: Kia Optima has six airbags and no autonomous braking; Toyota Camry has seven airbags and pre-collision braking.
- Boot space: Kia Optima 510 litres; Toyota Camry 524 litres.
Optima
- RM56,770 lower purchase price.
- 242 hp and 350 Nm turbo engine.
- Heated and ventilated front seats plus panoramic sunroof.
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring or lane-keeping assist.
- Six airbags versus the Camry’s seven.
- No adaptive cruise control or 360-degree camera.
Camry
- Seven airbags, pre-collision braking and blind-spot monitoring.
- Adaptive cruise control and steering correction.
- 12.3-inch touchscreen, 9-speaker JBL audio and 360-degree camera.
- Costs RM56,770 more.
- 201 hp and 246 Nm trail the Optima’s 242 hp and 350 Nm.
- Its 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.5 seconds slower.
What the Optima has over the Camry
What the Camry has over the Optima
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM165,030✓ | RM221,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM867 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,685/mo✓ | RM2,265/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM4,604✓ | RM6,113 |
| Fuel / year (est.) | RM3,383 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM16.92 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM41,829 | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with dual variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Horsepower | 242 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 201 hp at 6,600 rpm |
| Torque | 350 Nm at 1,350 rpm✓ | 246 Nm at 4,200 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 86 mm × 86 mm | 87.5 mm × 103.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 14 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-Speed Automatic | Direct Shift 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✓ | 8.9 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 8.5 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Co2 | 191 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,855 mm | 4,920 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,455 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,805 mm | 2,825 mm |
| Weight | 1,580 kg | 1,565 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 510 litres | 524 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/45R18 | 235/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/45R18 | Space Saver |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size 18" Alloy | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 3 | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Dynamic LED Projector | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats, Heated and Ventilated, with Memory Function for Driver | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Power Adjustable 4-way Ottoman Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Fixed Rear Seats |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| 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 | Manual Rear Sun Shades |
| Audio | 7.0" touchscreen with 6 speakers | 12.3" Touchscreen with Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 9-speaker JBL Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used Optima & Camry for sale
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Kia Optima
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Optima vs Camry FAQ
Is the Kia Optima or Toyota Camry better?
The Optima is better for outright value and performance, with 242 hp, 350 Nm and a 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time. The Camry is better equipped for safety, adding a seventh airbag, pre-collision braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Camry costs RM56,770 more than the Kia Optima: RM221,800 against RM165,030. Its annual road tax is also RM488 higher, at RM867 versus RM379.
Which one has more safety equipment?
The Toyota Camry does. It has seven airbags, pre-collision braking, collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, steering correction, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera. The Optima has six airbags, but lacks those active-safety systems.
Which one is locally assembled?
The Optima is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the Camry is fully imported (CBU) from Thailand. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.