Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid MPG by year — every rating on record
The Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 2017 to 2020. Across those years its best rated version returned 41 mpg (2020) and its thirstiest returned 40 mpg (2017). The EPA record holds 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 40 mpg | 40 mpg | #17 of 110 (85th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gas and Electricity | Midsize Cars |
| 2018 | 1 | 40 mpg | 40 mpg | #21 of 125 (84th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gas and Electricity | Midsize Cars |
| 2019 | 1 | 40 mpg | 40 mpg | #33 of 127 (75th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gas and Electricity | Midsize Cars |
| 2020 | 1 | 41 mpg | 41 mpg | #30 of 124 (76th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gas and Electricity | 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 Plug-in Hybrid placed highest in 2017 at #17 of 110, and lowest in 2019 at #33 of 127. It spent 4 of its 4 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 4 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | Range | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM6) Regular Gas and Electricity | SIDI; PHEV, Plug-in Hybrid, start-stop | 39 | 44 | 41 | 280.5 | 3.2 | $1,500 | 630 mi | 97 | 10/10 |
| 2019 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM6) Regular Gas and Electricity | SIDI; PHEV, Plug-in Hybrid, start-stop | 38 | 43 | 40 | 287.5 | 3.2 | $1,550 | 610 mi | 97 | 10/10 |
| 2018 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM6) Regular Gas and Electricity | SIDI; PHEV, Plug-in Hybrid, start-stop | 38 | 43 | 40 | 287.5 | 3.2 | $1,550 | 610 mi | 97 | 10/10 |
| 2017 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM6) Regular Gas and Electricity | SIDI; PHEV, Plug-in Hybrid, start-stop | 38 | 43 | 40 | 287.5 | 3.2 | $1,550 | 610 mi | 97 | 10/10 |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 1 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 → 2020 | 40 → 41 mpg | +1 mpg | 280 gal |
What Optima Plug-in Hybrid fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2020 Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid burns 280 to 280 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 | $841 | $841 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $982 | $982 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $1,122 | $1,122 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2020 model year is $1,500 to $1,500 a year in fuel, or $5,750 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 41 mpg the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid is 16 mpg better the median, which is worth about $628 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.