- Newest year: 2015
- Gas
- Hybrid
- Midsize cars
2011-2015 Kia Optima MPG & Fuel Cost
5 model years · 24–37 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 7 of 10 midsize car configurations, MY2015. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2011-2015 Kia Optima at a glance
The 2011-2015 Kia Optima covers 5 model years in the EPA database (21 configurations in all), rated 24–37 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2015, costs about $1,780 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Hybrid 2.4L 4-cyl FWD (37 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). Powertrains over the years: gas and hybrid. EPA changed the ratings in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. The best combined rating in the generation, 37 MPG, was reached in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
2011-2015 Kia Optima by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Gas, Hybrid | 24–37 MPG | $1,780–$2,770 | Ratings changed |
| 2014 | Gas, Hybrid | 24–37 MPG | $1,780–$2,770 | Ratings changed |
| 2013 | Gas, Hybrid | 26–37 MPG | $1,780–$2,510 | Ratings changed |
| 2012 | Gas, Hybrid | 26–36 MPG | $1,810–$2,510 | Ratings changed |
| 2011 | Gas, Hybrid | 26–36 MPG | $1,810–$2,510 | First year |
What the 2015 Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD costs to drive
Per month
$207
$2,480 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$4.13
Per 100 miles
$16.53
Five years
$12,400
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the midsize car median
$450less a year
Class median $2,930 a year, MY2015
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2015 Kia Optima MPG
Versus 2014: The most efficient configuration stays at 37 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $1,780.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima 2.4L 4-cyl (Most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 23 | 33 | 26 | $2,480 |
| Optima 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 20 | 30 | 24 | $2,770 |
Hybrid configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid (Most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 35 | 38 | 37 | $1,780 |
| Hybrid EX | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 35 | 38 | 36 | $1,820 |
2014 Kia Optima MPG
24–37 MPG · $1,780–$2,770/yr
Versus 2013: The most efficient configuration stays at 37 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $1,780.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima 2.4L 4-cyl (Most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 23 | 33 | 26 | $2,470 |
| Optima 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 20 | 30 | 24 | $2,770 |
Hybrid configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid (Most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 35 | 38 | 37 | $1,780 |
| Hybrid EX | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 35 | 38 | 36 | $1,820 |
2013 Kia Optima MPG
26–37 MPG · $1,780–$2,510/yr
Versus 2012: The most efficient configuration moves from 36 to 37 MPG, up 1. Its annual cost goes from $1,810 to $1,780, $30 less.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 6-spd (Most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 24 | 34 | 27 | $2,390 |
| Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Manual 6-spd | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 24 | 34 | 27 | $2,400 |
| Optima 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 22 | 33 | 26 | $2,510 |
Hybrid configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid (Most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 35 | 38 | 37 | $1,780 |
| Hybrid EX | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 35 | 38 | 36 | $1,820 |
2012 Kia Optima MPG
26–36 MPG · $1,810–$2,510/yr
Versus 2011: The most efficient configuration stays at 36 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $1,810.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 6-spd (Most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 24 | 34 | 27 | $2,390 |
| Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Manual 6-spd | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 24 | 34 | 27 | $2,400 |
| Optima 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 22 | 33 | 26 | $2,510 |
Hybrid configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid (Most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 34 | 38 | 36 | $1,810 |
2011 Kia Optima MPG
26–36 MPG · $1,810–$2,510/yr
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Manual 6-spd (Most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 24 | 34 | 27 | $2,400 |
| Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 6-spd | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 23 | 33 | 27 | $2,410 |
| Optima 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 22 | 33 | 26 | $2,510 |
Hybrid configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid (Most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 34 | 38 | 36 | $1,810 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD: $3,370 in California and $2,160 in Texas, a $1,210 difference.
- California $3,370
- Washington $3,130
- New York $2,480
- Florida $2,340
- Texas $2,160
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2015 midsize car models.
Generations
- 2001-2005 (MS)
- 2006-2010 (MG)
- 2011-2015 (TF)
- 2016-2020 (JF)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2011-2015 Kia Optima get?
EPA rates the 2011-2015 Kia Optima at 24–37 MPG combined across 21 configurations and 5 model years. The most efficient version, the 2015 Hybrid 2.4L 4-cyl FWD, is rated 37 MPG (35 city, 38 highway). By powertrain: Gas: 24–27 MPG; Hybrid: 36–37 MPG.
Which years had the best MPG in the 2011-2015 Kia Optima?
The Hybrid 2.4L 4-cyl FWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 37 MPG, in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The lowest top rating, 36 MPG, was in 2011 and 2012.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2011-2015 Kia Optima?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
How does the 2011-2015 Kia Optima compare with the previous generation?
The previous generation (2006-2010 Kia Optima) is rated 21–25 MPG combined and costs $2,610–$3,110 a year to fuel; the 2011-2015 model is rated 24–37 MPG and costs $1,780–$2,770 a year.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2015 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 $2,480 a year. Across all 4 configurations the cost runs $1,780–$2,770 a year. That is a $990 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2015 Kia Optima 100 miles?
About $16.53 per 100 miles for the Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $11.87 and $18.47 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
How does the 2015 Kia Optima compare with other midsize car configurations?
The Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,480 a year to fuel, $450 less than the class median of $2,930, and less than 7 of 10 midsize car configurations. The comparison covers all 199 rated midsize car configurations for MY2015, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2015 Kia Optima hybrid cheaper to fuel than the gas version?
Yes. The best hybrid (Hybrid 2.4L 4-cyl FWD) is rated 37 MPG against 26 MPG for the best gas version (Optima 2.4L 4-cyl FWD), 11 MPG more. At regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026) that is $1,780 versus $2,480 a year, a saving of $700.
Is the 2015 Kia Optima different from the 2014 model?
The most efficient configuration stays at 37 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $1,780. EPA lists 4 configurations for 2015 against 4 configurations for 2014. See the 2014 Kia Optima for that year.