Kia Optima MPG by year — every rating on record

The Kia Optima has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 20 model years, from 2001 to 2020. Across those years its best rated version returned 31 mpg (2016) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (2002). The EPA record holds 63 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Large Cars.

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Kia Optima placed highest in 2003 at #6 of 46, and lowest in 2014 at #60 of 107. It spent 18 of its 20 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 63 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 4 of 5 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

What Optima fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2020 Kia Optima burns 371 to 479 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.

EPA’s own estimate for the 2020 model year is $2,000 to $2,600 a year in fuel, or $1,250 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 31 mpg the Kia Optima is 6 mpg better the median, which is worth about $312 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.