2017 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
FWD · 2.0L 4-cyl · 6-speed dual-clutch · 103 MPGe + 40 MPG
The 2017 Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and 18¢/kWh electricity, it costs about $1,007 a year to fuel (103 MPGe + 40 MPG), versus $1,107 for the 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid (42 MPG). That's roughly $100 a year, or about $500 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
- Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid
Side by side
| Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,107 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,007 |
| 42 MPG | Combined efficiency | 103 MPGe + 40 MPG |
| 39 MPG | City | 103 MPGe / 38 MPG |
| 45 MPG | Highway | 104 MPGe / 43 MPG |
| — | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 33 kWh |
| — | Driving range | 610 mi |
| — | All-electric range | 29 mi |
| 106 cu ft | Passenger volume | 105 cu ft |
| 13 cu ft | Cargo volume | 10 cu ft |
| 221 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 97 g/mi |
| 9/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 10/10 |
| 9/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 10/10 |
| — | Charge time at 240V | 2.7 hrs |
| Hybrid | Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gas + electricity |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl |
| 6-speed dual-clutch | Transmission | 6-speed dual-clutch |
| FWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid across model years
- Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
- Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has more cargo space (13 vs. 10 cu ft).
Among 67 2017 midsize cars, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid ranks 14th and the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid 8th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is a full hybrid, while the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid or the 2017 Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid. The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is rated 42 MPG combined and the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid 103 MPGe + 40 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs. the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and 18¢/kWh electricity, about $1,107 for the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and $1,007 for the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid.
Which has more cargo space?
The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, with 13 cu ft of luggage volume versus 10 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid in other years
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