The Kia Optima does 28.2 mpg combined (25.4 city, 32.9 highway), which works out to about $1,362 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl Hybrid does 41.8 mpg while 2.5L 6-cyl does 21 — a difference of $910 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Kia Optima engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl Hybrid | 39.3 / 45.5 | 2017–2020 | $919 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl Hybrid | 34.7 / 38 | 2011–2016 | $1,046 | |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 27.6 / 37 | 2016–2020 | $1,239 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 21.5 / 30.5 | 2001–2015 | $1,561 | |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 19 / 26.4 | 2002–2010 | $1,753 | |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 18 / 24 | 2001–2001 | $1,829 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.113 |
| Fuel per year | $1,362 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,810 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$150 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,238 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 25.4 mpg | $1,512 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 32.9 mpg | $1,167 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.5 mpg (30%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Optima changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 33.5 / 41 | 2 | $1,052 | |
| 2019 | 33 / 41 | 2 | $1,067 | |
| 2018 | 33.5 / 41.5 | 2 | $1,052 | |
| 2017 | 33.5 / 41.5 | 2 | $1,052 | |
| 2016 | 31.5 / 37.5 | 2 | $1,129 | |
| 2015 | 29 / 35.5 | 2 | $1,219 | |
| 2014 | 29 / 35.5 | 2 | $1,219 | |
| 2013 | 29.5 / 36 | 2 | $1,200 | |
| 2012 | 29 / 36 | 2 | $1,219 | |
| 2011 | 28.5 / 35.5 | 2 | $1,219 | |
| 2010 | 21 / 30 | 2 | $1,600 | |
| 2009 | 21 / 30 | 2 | $1,600 | |
| 2008 | 20.5 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,600 | |
| 2007 | 20.5 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,600 | |
| 2006 | 20.5 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,600 | |
| 2005 | 19 / 26 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2004 | 19 / 26 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2003 | 19 / 26 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2002 | 18 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2001 | 18.5 / 25 | 2 | $1,829 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
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- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
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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 mpg does the Kia Optima get?
28.2 mpg combined on average — 25.4 in the city and 32.9 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2001–2020.
How much does a Kia Optima cost in fuel per year?
About $1,362 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,810 over five years, or 0.113 dollars a mile.
Which Optima engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl Hybrid at 41.8 mpg, against 21 for the 2.5L 6-cyl — a difference of about $910 a year.
Is the Optima good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.