- Newest year: 2020
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- Hybrid
- Plug-in hybrid
- Large cars
2016-2020 Kia Optima MPG & Fuel Cost
5 model years · 24–42 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 8 of 10 large car configurations, MY2020. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2016-2020 Kia Optima at a glance
The 2016-2020 Kia Optima covers 5 model years in the EPA database (32 configurations in all), rated 24–42 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2020, costs about $1,560 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Hybrid 2.0L 4-cyl FWD (42 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). Powertrains over the years: gas, hybrid and plug-in hybrid. EPA changed the ratings in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. The best combined rating in the generation, 42 MPG, was reached in 2017, 2018 and 2020.
2016-2020 Kia Optima by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Gas, Hybrid, Plug-in hybrid | 24–42 MPG | $1,200–$2,700 | Ratings changed |
| 2019 | Gas, Hybrid, Plug-in hybrid | 24–41 MPG | $1,220–$2,700 | Ratings changed |
| 2018 | Gas, Hybrid, Plug-in hybrid | 25–42 MPG | $1,220–$2,620 | Ratings changed |
| 2017 | Gas, Hybrid, Plug-in hybrid | 25–42 MPG | $1,220–$2,620 | Ratings changed |
| 2016 | Gas, Hybrid | 25–37 MPG | $1,780–$2,620 | First year |
What the 2020 Optima 1.6L 4-cyl turbo FWD costs to drive
Per month
$178
$2,140 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$3.57
Per 100 miles
$14.27
Five years
$10,700
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the large car median
$1,180less a year
Class median $3,320 a year, MY2020
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2020 Kia Optima MPG
Versus 2019: The most efficient configuration moves from 41 to 42 MPG, up 1. Its annual cost goes from $1,580 to $1,560, $20 less.
On electricity 101 MPGe, with 28 miles of electric range.
See plug-in hybrid configurationsGas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima 1.6L 4-cyl turbo (Most efficient) | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 27 | 37 | 31 | $2,140 |
| FE | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 25 | 35 | 29 | $2,270 |
| Optima 2.4L 4-cyl | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 24 | 32 | 27 | $2,400 |
| Optima 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 21 | 30 | 24 | $2,700 |
Hybrid configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 40 | 45 | 42 | $1,560 |
Plug-in hybrid configurations (1)
| Trim | Drive | Gas MPG | Electric MPGe | Electric range | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plug-in Hybrid (Most efficient) | FWD | 41 | 101 | 28 mi | $1,200 |
Cost assumes EPA's utility factor: 57% of miles are driven on electricity (residential electricity 18.3¢/kWh (U.S. average, Jul 2026)) and the rest on gasoline (regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)).
2019 Kia Optima MPG
24–41 MPG · $1,220–$2,700/yr
Versus 2018: The most efficient configuration moves from 42 to 41 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $1,560 to $1,580, $20 more.
On electricity 103 MPGe, with 29 miles of electric range.
See plug-in hybrid configurationsGas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima 1.6L 4-cyl turbo (Most efficient) | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 27 | 37 | 31 | $2,140 |
| FE | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 25 | 35 | 29 | $2,270 |
| Optima 2.4L 4-cyl | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 24 | 33 | 27 | $2,380 |
| Optima 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 21 | 30 | 24 | $2,700 |
Hybrid configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 39 | 45 | 41 | $1,580 |
Plug-in hybrid configurations (1)
| Trim | Drive | Gas MPG | Electric MPGe | Electric range | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plug-in Hybrid (Most efficient) | FWD | 40 | 103 | 29 mi | $1,220 |
Cost assumes EPA's utility factor: 57% of miles are driven on electricity (residential electricity 18.3¢/kWh (U.S. average, Jul 2026)) and the rest on gasoline (regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)).
2018 Kia Optima MPG
25–42 MPG · $1,220–$2,620/yr
Versus 2017: The most efficient configuration stays at 42 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $1,560.
On electricity 103 MPGe, with 29 miles of electric range.
See plug-in hybrid configurationsGas configurations (5)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima 1.6L 4-cyl turbo (Most efficient) | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 28 | 37 | 31 | $2,080 |
| FE | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 25 | 36 | 29 | $2,250 |
| Optima 2.4L 4-cyl | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 24 | 34 | 28 | $2,340 |
| S | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 23 | 32 | 26 | $2,480 |
| Optima 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 22 | 31 | 25 | $2,620 |
Hybrid configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 39 | 46 | 42 | $1,560 |
Plug-in hybrid configurations (1)
| Trim | Drive | Gas MPG | Electric MPGe | Electric range | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plug-in Hybrid (Most efficient) | FWD | 40 | 103 | 29 mi | $1,220 |
Cost assumes EPA's utility factor: 57% of miles are driven on electricity (residential electricity 18.3¢/kWh (U.S. average, Jul 2026)) and the rest on gasoline (regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)).
2017 Kia Optima MPG
25–42 MPG · $1,220–$2,620/yr
Versus 2016: The most efficient configuration moves from 37 to 42 MPG, up 5. Its annual cost goes from $1,780 to $1,560, $220 less.
On electricity 103 MPGe, with 29 miles of electric range.
See plug-in hybrid configurationsGas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima 1.6L 4-cyl turbo (Most efficient) | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 28 | 37 | 31 | $2,080 |
| FE | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 25 | 36 | 29 | $2,250 |
| Optima 2.4L 4-cyl | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 24 | 34 | 28 | $2,340 |
| Optima 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 22 | 31 | 25 | $2,620 |
Hybrid configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl | FWD | 39 | 46 | 42 | $1,560 |
Plug-in hybrid configurations (1)
| Trim | Drive | Gas MPG | Electric MPGe | Electric range | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plug-in Hybrid (Most efficient) | FWD | 40 | 103 | 29 mi | $1,220 |
Cost assumes EPA's utility factor: 57% of miles are driven on electricity (residential electricity 18.3¢/kWh (U.S. average, Jul 2026)) and the rest on gasoline (regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)).
2016 Kia Optima MPG
25–37 MPG · $1,780–$2,620/yr
Gas configurations (5)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima 1.6L 4-cyl turbo (Most efficient) | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 28 | 37 | 31 | $2,080 |
| FE 2.4L 4-cyl | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 25 | 36 | 29 | $2,240 |
| Optima 2.4L 4-cyl | 2.4L 4-cyl | FWD | 24 | 34 | 28 | $2,340 |
| FE 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 22 | 31 | 25 | $2,580 |
| Optima 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 22 | 31 | 25 | $2,620 |
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 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Optima 1.6L 4-cyl turbo FWD: $2,910 in California and $1,870 in Texas, a $1,040 difference.
- California $2,910
- Washington $2,700
- New York $2,140
- Florida $2,020
- Texas $1,870
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2020 large car models.
Generations
- 2001-2005 (MS)
- 2006-2010 (MG)
- 2011-2015 (TF)
- 2016-2020 (JF)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2016-2020 Kia Optima get?
EPA rates the 2016-2020 Kia Optima at 24–42 MPG combined across 32 configurations and 5 model years. The most efficient version, the 2020 Hybrid 2.0L 4-cyl FWD, is rated 42 MPG (40 city, 45 highway). By powertrain: Gas: 24–31 MPG; Hybrid: 36–42 MPG; Plug-in hybrid: 40–41 MPG.
Which years had the best MPG in the 2016-2020 Kia Optima?
The Hybrid 2.0L 4-cyl FWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 42 MPG, in 2017, 2018 and 2020. The lowest top rating, 37 MPG, was in 2016.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2016-2020 Kia Optima?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
How does the 2016-2020 Kia Optima compare with the previous generation?
The previous generation (2011-2015 Kia Optima) is rated 24–37 MPG combined and costs $1,780–$2,770 a year to fuel; the 2016-2020 model is rated 24–42 MPG and costs $1,200–$2,700 a year.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Kia Optima per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Optima 1.6L 4-cyl turbo FWD costs about $2,140 a year. Across all 6 configurations the cost runs $1,200–$2,700 a year. That is a $1,500 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How does the 2020 Kia Optima compare with other large car configurations?
The Optima 1.6L 4-cyl turbo FWD costs about $2,140 a year to fuel, $1,180 less than the class median of $3,320, and less than 8 of 10 large car configurations. The comparison covers all 115 rated large car configurations for MY2020, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2020 Kia Optima hybrid cheaper to fuel than the gas version?
Yes. The best hybrid (Hybrid 2.0L 4-cyl FWD) is rated 42 MPG against 31 MPG for the best gas version (Optima 1.6L 4-cyl turbo FWD), 11 MPG more. At regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026) that is $1,560 versus $2,140 a year, a saving of $580.
How far does the 2020 Kia Optima plug-in hybrid go on electricity?
EPA rates the electric range at 28 miles, with a total range of 630 miles when the gasoline engine helps. Once the battery is used, the car runs as a hybrid at 41 MPG. The Plug-in Hybrid 2.0L 4-cyl FWD costs about $1,200 a year, assuming EPA's utility factor of 57% of miles on electricity, at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026) + residential electricity 18.3¢/kWh (U.S. average, Jul 2026).
Is the 2020 Kia Optima different from the 2019 model?
The most efficient configuration moves from 41 to 42 MPG, up 1. Its annual cost goes from $1,580 to $1,560, $20 less. EPA lists 6 configurations for 2020 against 6 configurations for 2019. See the 2019 Kia Optima for that year.