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2009 Kia Optima LX (MG)
Shown: 2009 Kia Optima LX (MG). Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Newest year: 2010
  • Gas
  • Midsize cars
  • Same as 2009

2006-2010 Kia Optima MPG & Fuel Cost

5 model years · 21–25 MPG combined

25 MPG
Combined
22 MPG
City
32 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost · Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD
$2,610

15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)

Cheaper to fuel than 7 of 10 midsize car configurations, MY2010. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.

Previous generation: 2001-2005 Next generation: 2011-2015

2006-2010 Kia Optima at a glance

The 2006-2010 Kia Optima covers 5 model years in the EPA database (18 configurations in all), rated 21–25 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2010, costs about $2,610 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD (25 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2007 and 2009; 2008 and 2010 repeat the values of the year before.

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

2006-2010 Kia Optima by model year

2006-2010 Kia Optima: EPA combined rating and yearly fuel cost for each model year
Model yearPowertrainsCombined$/yrEPA ratings
2010 Gas 23–25 MPG $2,610–$2,840 Same EPA ratings as 2009
2009 Gas 23–25 MPG $2,610–$2,840 Ratings changed
2008 Gas 23–25 MPG $2,610–$2,840 Same EPA ratings as 2007
2007 Gas 23–25 MPG $2,610–$2,840 Ratings changed
2006 Gas 21–25 MPG $2,610–$3,110 First year

What the 2010 Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD costs to drive

Per month

$218

$2,610 a year ÷ 12

Per 25 miles

$4.35

Per 100 miles

$17.40

Five years

$13,050

5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level

vs the midsize car median

$500less a year

Class median $3,110 a year, MY2010

Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).

2010 Kia Optima MPG

EPA lists the same ratings for the 2010 Kia Optima as for the 2009 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2009 section above.See 2009

Gas · 2.4L, 2.7L
Combined
23–25 MPG
Per year
$2,610–$2,840

Gas configurations (3)

2010 Kia Optima gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) 2.4L 4-cyl FWD 22 32 25 $2,610
Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 5-spd 2.4L 4-cyl FWD 22 32 25 $2,610
Optima 2.7L 6-cyl 2.7L 6-cyl FWD 20 28 23 $2,840

2009 Kia Optima MPG

23–25 MPG · $2,610–$2,840/yr

Versus 2008: The most efficient configuration stays at 25 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,610.

Gas · 2.4L, 2.7L
Combined
23–25 MPG
Per year
$2,610–$2,840

Gas configurations (3)

2009 Kia Optima gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 5-spd (Most efficient) 2.4L 4-cyl FWD 22 32 25 $2,610
Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd 2.4L 4-cyl FWD 22 32 25 $2,610
Optima 2.7L 6-cyl 2.7L 6-cyl FWD 20 28 23 $2,840

2008 Kia Optima MPG

Same EPA ratings as 2007

EPA lists the same ratings for the 2008 Kia Optima as for the 2007 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2007 section above.See 2007

2007 Kia Optima MPG

23–25 MPG · $2,610–$2,840/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Versus 2006: The most efficient configuration stays at 25 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,610.

Gas · 2.4L, 2.7L
Combined
23–25 MPG
Per year
$2,610–$2,840

Gas configurations (3)

2007 Kia Optima gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 5-spd (Most efficient) 2.4L 4-cyl FWD 21 31 25 $2,610
Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd 2.4L 4-cyl FWD 21 31 25 $2,610
Optima 2.7L 6-cyl 2.7L 6-cyl FWD 20 28 23 $2,840

2006 Kia Optima MPG

21–25 MPG · $2,610–$3,110/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Gas · 2.4L, 2.7L
Combined
21–25 MPG
Per year
$2,610–$3,110

Gas configurations (6)

2006 Kia Optima gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
(2006 New Model) 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 5-spd (Most efficient) 2.4L 4-cyl FWD 21 31 25 $2,610
(2006 New Model) 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd 2.4L 4-cyl FWD 21 31 25 $2,610
Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd 2.4L 4-cyl FWD 20 27 23 $2,840
(2006 New Model) 2.7L 6-cyl 2.7L 6-cyl FWD 20 28 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 2.7L 6-cyl FWD 18 25 21 $3,110

Fuel cost by state

Yearly cost of the Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD: $3,550 in California and $2,280 in Texas, a $1,270 difference.

Gasoline prices: California: California state average; Washington: Washington state average; New York: New York state average; Florida: Florida state average; Texas: Texas state average (Sep 2026).
Fuel cost in every state

Similar cars

Closest combined MPG among MY2010 midsize car models.

2008 Volkswagen Passat Komfort 2.0T (B6)

2010 Volkswagen Passat

25 MPG · $3,190/yr
2010 Camry Hybrid (XV40)

2010 Toyota Camry

26 MPG · $2,510/yr
2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu

2010 Chevrolet Malibu

26 MPG · $2,510/yr
2012 Mazda6 -- NHTSA (GH1)

2010 Mazda6

24 MPG · $2,720/yr
EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. average, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city / 45% highway · How we calculate

Generations

All Kia Optima years All Kia models

Frequently asked questions

What gas mileage does the 2006-2010 Kia Optima get?

EPA rates the 2006-2010 Kia Optima at 21–25 MPG combined across 18 configurations and 5 model years. The most efficient version, the 2010 Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD, is rated 25 MPG (22 city, 32 highway).

Which years had the best MPG in the 2006-2010 Kia Optima?

Every model year of the 2006-2010 Kia Optima tops out at 25 MPG combined, so no year is better than another.

Did EPA ratings change during the 2006-2010 Kia Optima?

Yes. Ratings changed in 2007 and 2009. In 2008 and 2010 the values repeat the year before.

How does the 2006-2010 Kia Optima compare with the previous generation?

The previous generation (2001-2005 Kia Optima) is rated 18–23 MPG combined and costs $2,840–$3,630 a year to fuel; the 2006-2010 model is rated 21–25 MPG and costs $2,610–$3,110 a year.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 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 $2,610 a year. Across all 3 configurations the cost runs $2,610–$2,840 a year. That is a $230 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.

How much does it cost to drive a 2010 Kia Optima 100 miles?

About $17.40 per 100 miles for the Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $17.40 and $18.93 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.

Is the 2010 Kia Optima more efficient in the city or on the highway?

The Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD is rated 22 city and 32 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 10 MPG.

How does the 2010 Kia Optima compare with other midsize car configurations?

The Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,610 a year to fuel, $500 less than the class median of $3,110, and less than 7 of 10 midsize car configurations. The comparison covers all 148 rated midsize car configurations for MY2010, not weighted by sales.

Is the 2010 Kia Optima different from the 2009 model?

No. EPA lists the same ratings for 2009 and 2010: 3 configurations rated 23–25 MPG combined. See the 2009 Kia Optima for that year.