- Newest year: 2005
- Gas
- Midsize cars
2001-2005 Kia Optima MPG & Fuel Cost
5 model years · 18–23 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 8 of 10 midsize car configurations, MY2005. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2001-2005 Kia Optima at a glance
The 2001-2005 Kia Optima covers 5 model years in the EPA database (20 configurations in all), rated 18–23 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2005, costs about $2,840 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD (23 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2002, 2003 and 2005; 2004 repeat the values of the year before. The best combined rating in the generation, 23 MPG, was reached in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2001-2005 Kia Optima by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Gas | 21–23 MPG | $2,840–$3,110 | Ratings changed |
| 2004 | Gas | 21–23 MPG | $2,840–$3,110 | Same EPA ratings as 2003 |
| 2003 | Gas | 21–23 MPG | $2,840–$3,110 | Ratings changed |
| 2002 | Gas | 18–21 MPG | $3,110–$3,630 | Ratings changed |
| 2001 | Gas | 19–21 MPG | $3,110–$3,440 | First year |
What the 2005 Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD costs to drive
Per month
$237
$2,840 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$4.73
Per 100 miles
$18.93
Five years
$14,200
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the midsize car median
$600less a year
Class median $3,440 a year, MY2005
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2005 Kia Optima MPG
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2004: The most efficient configuration stays at 23 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,840.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,840 |
| Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 19 | 28 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Optima 2.7L 6-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.7L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Optima 2.7L 6-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 2.7L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,110 |
2004 Kia Optima MPG
Same EPA ratings as 2003
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2004 Kia Optima as for the 2003 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2003 section above.See 2003
2003 Kia Optima MPG
21–23 MPG · $2,840–$3,110/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2002: The most efficient configuration moves from 21 to 23 MPG, up 2. Its annual cost goes from $3,110 to $2,840, $270 less.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,840 |
| Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 19 | 27 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Optima 2.7L 6-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.7L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Optima 2.7L 6-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 2.7L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,110 |
2002 Kia Optima MPG
18–21 MPG · $3,110–$3,630/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2001: The most efficient configuration stays at 21 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $3,110.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,270 |
| Optima 2.7L 6-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 2.7L 6-cyl | FWD | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,440 |
| Optima 2.7L 6-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.7L 6-cyl | FWD | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,630 |
2001 Kia Optima MPG
19–21 MPG · $3,110–$3,440/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Optima 2.5L 6-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 2.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 24 | 21 | $3,110 |
| Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,270 |
| Optima 2.5L 6-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 2.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,440 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD: $3,860 in California and $2,480 in Texas, a $1,380 difference.
- California $3,860
- Washington $3,580
- New York $2,840
- Florida $2,680
- Texas $2,480
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2005 midsize car models.
Generations
- 2001-2005 (MS)
- 2006-2010 (MG)
- 2011-2015 (TF)
- 2016-2020 (JF)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2001-2005 Kia Optima get?
EPA rates the 2001-2005 Kia Optima at 18–23 MPG combined across 20 configurations and 5 model years. The most efficient version, the 2005 Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD, is rated 23 MPG (20 city, 27 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2001-2005 Kia Optima?
The Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 23 MPG, in 2003, 2004 and 2005. The lowest top rating, 21 MPG, was in 2001 and 2002.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2001-2005 Kia Optima?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2002, 2003 and 2005. In 2004 the values repeat the year before.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2005 Kia Optima per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,840 a year. Across all 4 configurations the cost runs $2,840–$3,110 a year. That is a $270 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2005 Kia Optima 100 miles?
About $18.93 per 100 miles for the Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $18.93 and $20.73 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2005 Kia Optima more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD is rated 20 city and 27 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 7 MPG.
How does the 2005 Kia Optima compare with other midsize car configurations?
The Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,840 a year to fuel, $600 less than the class median of $3,440, and less than 8 of 10 midsize car configurations. The comparison covers all 114 rated midsize car configurations for MY2005, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2005 Kia Optima different from the 2004 model?
The most efficient configuration stays at 23 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,840. EPA lists 4 configurations for 2005 against 4 configurations for 2004. See the 2004 Kia Optima for that year.