Kia averages 30.8 mpg combined across 25 models (1993–2027). The best on record does 117 mpg, the thirstiest 15 — a yearly fuel gap of about $2,232.
What that actually costs
What a Kia costs to feed, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average combined | 30.8 mpg |
| Fuel per year | $1,247 |
| Most frugal on record | 117 mpg — $328 a year |
| Thirstiest on record | 15 mpg — $2,560 a year |
Kia models by fuel economy
From the most frugal down. The yearly figure is what the fuel actually costs at 12,000 miles.
| Model | Average mpg | Best / Worst engine | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kia EV6 | 117 / 115 | $330 | |
| Kia EV9 | 89 / 89 | $431 | |
| Kia Niro | 113 / 50 | $490 | |
| Kia Soul | 114 / 26 | $763 | |
| Kia K4 | 34 / 33 | $1,146 | |
| Kia Forte | 35 / 29 | $1,196 | |
| Kia K5 | 32 / 30 | $1,239 | |
| Kia Seltos | 31 / 29 | $1,251 | |
| Kia Rio | 36 / 25 | $1,255 | |
| Kia Optima | 42 / 19 | $1,362 | |
| Kia Forte Koup | 28 / 28 | $1,371 | |
| Kia Sephia | 28 / 23 | $1,500 | |
| Kia Carnival | 33 / 21 | $1,524 | |
| Kia Spectra | 27 / 23 | $1,536 | |
| Kia Sportage | 43 / 18 | $1,536 | |
| Kia Sorento | 37 / 15 | $1,580 | |
| Kia Telluride | 35 / 22 | $1,593 | |
| Kia Cadenza | 23 / 22 | $1,699 | |
| Kia Stinger | 25 / 20 | $1,707 | |
| Kia Miami | 33 / 18 | $1,714 | |
| Kia Rondo | 29 / 20 | $1,745 | |
| Kia K900 | 21 / 18 | $1,969 | |
| Kia Sedona | 21 / 16 | $2,000 | |
| Kia Amanti | 19 / 18 | $2,076 | |
| Kia Borrego | 18 / 18 | $2,133 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average Kia mpg?
30.8 mpg combined across 25 models rated between 1993 and 2027. That averages everything the brand has offered, so a long history of trucks pulls it down.
Which Kia model is the most economical?
See the table above — models are sorted from the most frugal down, with what each costs in fuel per year.
How much does a Kia cost to run?
About $1,247 a year in fuel on average, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon.
Why does the average look low for a modern brand?
Because it covers every model year on record, back to the 1980s. Cars built before the mid-2000s were markedly thirstier — that era is included.