Kia Optima MPG by Year
EPA rates the best gas Optima of each model year at 25 to 31 mpg combined, the best hybrid at 36 to 42 mpg (2011 to 2020), and the best plug-in hybrid at 40 to 41 mpg on gas alone (2017 to 2020).
Every year from 2010 to 2020 is below, with city and highway ratings and EPA's yearly cost to run each version.
Every Optima model year
Newest first. Each cell is the best-rated version of that kind that year, with its city and highway ratings and EPA's yearly cost to run it. Plug-in hybrids show mpg on gas alone, MPGe on electricity, electric range and cost with charging. Open a year for every version.
| Model year | Best gas | Best hybrid | Best plug-in hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 mpg 27 city / 37 hwy $2,150 a year | 42 mpg 40 city / 45 hwy $1,600 a year | 41 mpg on gas 101 MPGe on electricity 28 mi electric range $1,150 a year with charging | |
| 31 mpg 27 city / 37 hwy $2,150 a year | 41 mpg 39 city / 45 hwy $1,650 a year | 40 mpg on gas 103 MPGe on electricity 29 mi electric range $1,150 a year with charging | |
| 31 mpg 28 city / 37 hwy $2,150 a year | 42 mpg 39 city / 46 hwy $1,600 a year | 40 mpg on gas 103 MPGe on electricity 29 mi electric range $1,150 a year with charging | |
| 31 mpg 28 city / 37 hwy $2,150 a year | 42 mpg 39 city / 46 hwy $1,600 a year | 40 mpg on gas 103 MPGe on electricity 29 mi electric range $1,150 a year with charging | |
| 31 mpg 28 city / 37 hwy $2,150 a year | 37 mpg 35 city / 38 hwy $1,800 a year | – | |
| 26 mpg 23 city / 33 hwy $2,600 a year | 37 mpg 35 city / 38 hwy $1,800 a year | – | |
| 26 mpg 23 city / 33 hwy $2,600 a year | 37 mpg 35 city / 38 hwy $1,800 a year | – | |
| 27 mpg 24 city / 34 hwy $2,500 a year | 37 mpg 35 city / 38 hwy $1,800 a year | – | |
| 27 mpg 24 city / 34 hwy $2,500 a year | 36 mpg 34 city / 38 hwy $1,850 a year | – | |
| 27 mpg 23 city / 33 hwy $2,500 a year | 36 mpg 34 city / 38 hwy $1,850 a year | – | |
| 25 mpg 22 city / 32 hwy $2,700 a year | – | – |
When the best ratings changed
Each year against the model year before it. Years not listed kept the same best ratings.
- 2011 Gas up 2 mpg to 27; hybrid version added, at 36 mpg
- 2013 Hybrid up 1 mpg to 37
- 2014 Gas down 1 mpg to 26
- 2016 Gas up 5 mpg to 31
- 2017 Hybrid up 5 mpg to 42; plug-in hybrid version added, at 40 mpg on gas
- 2019 Hybrid down 1 mpg to 41
- 2020 Hybrid up 1 mpg to 42; plug-in hybrid up 1 mpg to 41 on gas
Kia Optima best combined rating by model year
The best-rated gas and hybrid version of each model year, from EPA.
- Best gas version
- Best hybrid version
2020: gas 31 mpg · hybrid 42 mpgTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
| 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 |
Optima years to avoid and problems by year
Questions
Which Kia Optima year has the best MPG?
By EPA's ratings, the best gas Optima gets 31 mpg combined (2016 to 2020); the best hybrid version gets 42 mpg (2017, 2018, and 2020); the best plug-in hybrid gets 41 mpg on gas alone (2020) and up to 103 MPGe on electricity (2017 to 2019).
How much better is the Optima hybrid's MPG?
In 2020, EPA rates the best Optima hybrid at 42 mpg combined, against 31 mpg for the best gas version: 11 mpg more.
How much does a year of fuel cost for a Kia Optima?
At EPA's current prices and 15,000 miles a year, the best gas version costs $2,150 (2016 to 2020) to $2,700 (2010); the best hybrid version costs $1,600 (2017, 2018, and 2020) to $1,850 (2011 and 2012); the best plug-in hybrid costs $1,150 (2017 to 2020) with charging. Each year's page has the cost of every version.
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. The yearly cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles, 55% of them in the city; a plug-in hybrid's assumes EPA's typical mix of charging and gas.
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.