2018 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2018 Kia Optima 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 · 42 MPG
FWD · 2.0L 4-cyl · 6-speed dual-clutch · 103 MPGe + 40 MPG
The 2018 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 2018 Kia Optima 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
- Kia Optima Hybrid
- Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid
Side by side
| Kia Optima 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 |
| 46 MPG | Highway | 104 MPGe / 43 MPG |
| — | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 33 kWh |
| — | Driving range | 610 mi |
| — | All-electric range | 29 mi |
| 105 cu ft | Passenger volume | 105 cu ft |
| 13 cu ft | Cargo volume | 10 cu ft |
| 212 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.
Kia Optima Hybrid vs Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid across model years
- Kia Optima 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 Kia Optima Hybrid has more cargo space (13 vs. 10 cu ft).
Among 74 2018 midsize cars, the Kia Optima Hybrid ranks 15th and the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid 10th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Kia Optima 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 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid or the 2018 Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid. The Kia Optima 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 2018 Kia Optima 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 Kia Optima Hybrid and $1,007 for the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid.
Which has more cargo space?
The Kia Optima Hybrid, with 13 cu ft of luggage volume versus 10 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Kia Optima Hybrid vs Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid in other years
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