2018 head-to-head · Large Car
2018 Ford C-MAX vs Kia Optima
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
The 2018 Ford C-MAX is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,162 a year to fuel (40 MPG), versus $1,500 for the 2018 Kia Optima (31 MPG). That's roughly $338 a year, or about $1,688 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
- Ford C-MAX
- Kia Optima
Side by side
| Ford C-MAX | Kia Optima | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,162 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,500 |
| 40 MPG | Combined efficiency | 31 MPG |
| 42 MPG | City | 28 MPG |
| 38 MPG | Highway | 37 MPG |
| 100 cu ft | Passenger volume | 105 cu ft |
| 24 cu ft | Cargo volume | 16 cu ft |
| 222 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 286 g/mi |
| 9/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 7/10 |
| 9/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 7/10 |
| Hybrid | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo |
| CVT | Transmission | 7-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.
Ford C-MAX vs Kia Optima across model years
- Ford C-MAX
- Kia Optima
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 Kia Optima has more passenger space (105 vs. 100 cu ft); the Ford C-MAX has more cargo space (24 vs. 16 cu ft).
Among 31 2018 large cars, the Ford C-MAX ranks 4th and the Kia Optima 8th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Ford C-MAX is a full hybrid, while the Kia Optima is a conventional gas model.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2018 Ford C-MAX or the 2018 Kia Optima?
Measured by cost to drive, the Ford C-MAX. The Ford C-MAX is rated 40 MPG combined and the Kia Optima 31 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2018 Ford C-MAX vs. the Kia Optima per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,162 for the Ford C-MAX and $1,500 for the Kia Optima.
Which has more cargo space?
The Ford C-MAX, with 24 cu ft of luggage volume versus 16 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Ford C-MAX vs Kia Optima in other years
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