Kia · Large cars · Gasoline
Kia Optima: MPG and annual fuel cost, 2020
The Kia Optima was last rated in the data for model year 2020, at 31 MPG combined, the most efficient of the 6 large cars rated that year.
- 31MPG combined1st of 6 in class
- $2,150a year in fuel1st of 6 in class
- 292g/mile CO2
Where it stands
The large cars rated for 2020 run from 21 to 31 MPG, with a median of 21.5 MPG.
Among all gasoline models of the year, regardless of size, it is 3rd of 39 gasoline models, in the top quarter, ahead of 95% of the others.
In its class, just behind it is the Kia Cadenza at 23 MPG.
Fuel cost and CO2
The file prices the fuel for its most efficient version at about $2,150 a year, assuming 15,000 miles a year with 55% of them in the city and regular gasoline at $4.47 per gallon. That is $975 less than the large cars median of $3,125.
Tailpipe CO2 is 292 g/mile, 121 g/mile below the large cars median of 413.
Rated versions
Its city rating is 27 and its highway rating 37: the highway figure is 10 higher. 4 versions are rated for 2020. The most efficient, Optima: 1.6 L, 4 cyl, Automatic (AM7), FWD, gets 31 MPG; the least efficient listed, Optima: 2.0 L, 4 cyl, Automatic (S6), FWD, gets 24 MPG, a gap of 7 MPG. With the file's assumptions that gap is worth about $650 a year in fuel.
| Version | Combined MPG | City MPG | Highway MPG | Annual fuel cost | CO2 g/mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optima: 1.6 L, 4 cyl, Automatic (AM7), FWD | 31 | 27 | 37 | $2,150 | 292 |
| Optima FE: 2.4 L, 4 cyl, Automatic (S6), FWD | 29 | 25 | 35 | $2,300 | 311 |
| Optima: 2.4 L, 4 cyl, Automatic (S6), FWD | 27 | 24 | 32 | $2,500 | 330 |
| Optima: 2.0 L, 4 cyl, Automatic (S6), FWD | 24 | 21 | 30 | $2,800 | 371 |
Year by year
The Kia Optima is in the data for 2 of the 8 model years from 2019 to 2026. The headline rating did not move between 2019 and 2020: 31 MPG both times.
| Model year | Versions | Best MPG | Lowest MPG | Fuel cost | CO2 g/mi | Class median |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 4 | 31 | 24 | $2,150 | 292 | 23 |
| 2019 | 4 | 31 | 24 | $2,150 | 292 | 23 |
Similar models
| Model | Powertrain | Combined MPG | Annual fuel cost | Model year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Impala | Gasoline | 22 | $3,050 | 2020 |
| Kia K900 | Gasoline | 21 | $3,900 | 2020 |
| Lincoln Continental | Gasoline | 21 | $3,200 | 2020 |
Rated almost identically and covered by this page:
- Kia Cadenza 23 MPG, $2,900 a year, 1 version, last rated 2020
Compare and rank
Rankings: Large cars.
Data: US EPA and DOE, as prepared in methods and data.