2018 Hyundai Elantra vs 2018 Kia Optima
Two sedans from the same model year, side by side. Every figure is a raw NHTSA/EPA count — not normalised by how many were sold.
Side by side: 2018 Elantra has fewer recorded recall campaigns (0 vs 2), and 2018 Optima has fewer recorded owner complaints (229 vs 275). 2018 Optima carries more NHTSA investigations (2 vs 0). Both carry NHTSA crash ratings, and both have EPA fuel-economy data.
| Metric | 2018 Hyundai Elantra | 2018 Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 2 |
| Owner complaints | 275 | 229 |
| NHTSA investigations | 0 | 2 |
| NHTSA crash rating | Rated by NHTSA | Rated by NHTSA |
| EPA fuel economy | Available | Available |
How to read this
- A green check marks the lower raw count — fewer recorded issues, not a declared winner.
- Complaint totals are not normalised by vehicle population; a big-seller shows more of everything.
- Where a rating or EPA record is absent, that is missing data — not evidence of safety.