2010 Kia Optima MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2010 Kia Optima is rated 23 to 25 mpg combined across 3 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 5-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2010 Kia Optima · 3 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

25MPG combined

22 city 32 highway

$2,700 a year to fuel

2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 5-speed automatic

Best version costs $1,500 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.47 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Sep 30, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,700 to $2,900 a year.

Fewer complaints than a typical Optima year

The 2010 drew 12 owner complaints in its first three years, against 53 for a typical Optima year. Best years are picked only from 2016 on, since counts for older years say less: owners filed fewer complaints in the early 2010s.

Years to avoid: 2012 and 2013. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Optima year ranked The 2010 Optima's recalls and problems

Every 2010 Optima version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 5-speed automatic Best EPA listing: Optima	25 mpg	22 / 32	$2,700
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 5-speed manual EPA listing: Optima	25 mpg	22 / 32	$2,700
2.7L 6-cyl · FWD · 5-speed automatic EPA listing: Optima	23 mpg	20 / 28	$2,900

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.47 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 5-speed automatic	$2,682	$223	$13,410
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 5-speed manual	$2,682	$223	$13,410
2.7L 6-cyl · FWD · 5-speed automatic	$2,915	$243	$14,576

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Kia Optima MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 25 to 31 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2020); 31 since 2016. Hybrid: 36 to 42 mpg (2011 to 2020); highest in 2017.

Best gas version
Best hybrid version

2010: gas 25 mpg · hybrid not offered

Show as a table

Kia Optima best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version	Best hybrid version
2010	25	–
2011	27	36
2012	27	36
2013	27	37
2014	26	37
2015	26	37
2016	31	37
2017	31	42
2018	31	42
2019	31	41
2020	31	42

Every Optima year's ratings in one table

How the 2010 Optima compares

2010 midsize sedans covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2010 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Toyota Camry Best: hybrid	34 mpg	26 mpg	$1,950
Nissan Altima Best: hybrid	34 mpg	27 mpg	$1,950
Chevrolet Malibu Best: gas	29 mpg	29 mpg	$2,300
Honda Accord Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,700
Hyundai Sonata Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,700
Kia Optima This page Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,700

2010 Optima recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 75 owner complaints for the 2010 Optima.

Owners most often describe jerking or harsh shifting (15 complaints, 20%), then door lock problems (8).

See the 2010 Optima recalls and problems

Questions

Does the 2010 Kia Optima need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2010 Kia Optima version on regular gasoline.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Sep 29, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.47, midgrade $5.07, premium $5.48, diesel $6.38 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Oct 2, 2026 and complaint file dated Oct 2, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.