Kia Optima Hybrid MPG by year — every rating on record
The Kia Optima Hybrid has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 10 model years, from 2011 to 2020. Across those years its best rated version returned 42 mpg (2017) and its thirstiest returned 36 mpg (2011). The EPA record holds 10 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Midsize Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 36 mpg | 36 mpg | #7 of 71 (91th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 2012 | 1 | 36 mpg | 36 mpg | #9 of 76 (89th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 2013 | 1 | 37 mpg | 37 mpg | #14 of 92 (86th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 2014 | 1 | 37 mpg | 37 mpg | #18 of 107 (84th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 2015 | 1 | 37 mpg | 37 mpg | #16 of 101 (85th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 2016 | 1 | 37 mpg | 37 mpg | #18 of 112 (85th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 2017 | 1 | 42 mpg | 42 mpg | #15 of 110 (87th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 2018 | 1 | 42 mpg | 42 mpg | #19 of 125 (85th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 2019 | 1 | 41 mpg | 41 mpg | #31 of 127 (76th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 2020 | 1 | 42 mpg | 42 mpg | #28 of 124 (78th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Kia Optima Hybrid placed highest in 2011 at #7 of 71, and lowest in 2019 at #31 of 127. It spent 10 of its 10 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 10 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM6) Regular | SIDI; Hybrid, Hybrid, start-stop | 40 | 45 | 42 | 273.8 | 7.1 | $1,500 | 213 | 9/10 |
| 2019 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM6) Regular | SIDI; Hybrid, Hybrid, start-stop | 39 | 45 | 41 | 280.5 | 7.3 | $1,500 | 215 | 9/10 |
| 2018 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM6) Regular | SIDI, Hybrid, start-stop | 39 | 46 | 42 | 273.8 | 7.1 | $1,500 | 212 | 9/10 |
| 2017 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM6) Regular | SIDI, Hybrid, start-stop | 39 | 46 | 42 | 273.8 | 7.1 | $1,500 | 212 | 9/10 |
| 2016 | 2.4L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM6) Regular | 2.4L 4-cyl, Hybrid, start-stop | 35 | 38 | 37 | 310.8 | 8.0 | $1,700 | 242 | 9/10 |
| 2015 | 2.4L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM6) Regular | 2.4L 4-cyl, Hybrid, start-stop | 35 | 38 | 37 | 310.8 | 8.0 | $1,700 | 242 | 9/10 |
| 2014 | 2.4L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM6) Regular | 2.4L 4-cyl, Hybrid, start-stop | 35 | 38 | 37 | 310.8 | 8.0 | $1,700 | 242 | 9/10 |
| 2013 | 2.4L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM6) Regular | 2.4L 4-cyl, Hybrid, start-stop | 35 | 38 | 37 | 310.8 | 8.0 | $1,700 | 242 | 9/10 |
| 2012 | 2.4L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd Regular | 2.4L 4-cyl, Hybrid, start-stop | 34 | 38 | 36 | 319.4 | 8.3 | $1,750 | 246.86111111111111 | n/a |
| 2011 | 2.4L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd Regular | 2.4L 4-cyl, Hybrid, start-stop | 34 | 38 | 36 | 319.4 | 8.3 | $1,750 | 246.86111111111111 | n/a |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 3 of 4 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 → 2013 | 36 → 37 mpg | +1 mpg | 311 gal |
| 2016 → 2017 | 37 → 42 mpg | +5 mpg | 274 gal |
| 2018 → 2019 | 42 → 41 mpg | -1 mpg | 280 gal |
| 2019 → 2020 | 41 → 42 mpg | +1 mpg | 274 gal |
What Optima Hybrid fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2020 Kia Optima Hybrid burns 274 to 274 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.
| Pump price | Most efficient | Thirstiest | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.00/gal | $821 | $821 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $958 | $958 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $1,095 | $1,095 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2020 model year is $1,500 to $1,500 a year in fuel, or $3,750 less than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Midsize Cars
Across the 483 nameplates EPA classifies as Midsize Cars, the median best combined rating is 25 mpg. At 42 mpg the Kia Optima Hybrid is 17 mpg better the median, which is worth about $652 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Midsize Cars rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.
Other Kia nameplates
Every Kia model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.