Kia Optima vs. Subaru Legacy MPG

Chart is based on 152 fuel economy reports for the Kia Optima and 405 fuel economy reports for the Subaru Legacy.

Kia Optima MPG

Year	Body/Powertrain	flat, hilly, or mountainousLand	driving style: very light to "lead foot"Foot	A/C use: none to heavyA/C	constant stop and goTraf %	many stops per mileCity %	stop every mile or twoSub %	fairly steady speedHwy %	Hwy Spd	MPG
2019	4dr Sedan turbocharged 245hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	hvy	0	10	50	40	70	26.7
2017	4dr Sedan 154-horsepower 2.0L I4 Hybrid 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	light	30	30	20	20	70	52.6
2016	4dr Sedan turbocharged 178hp 1.6L I4 7-speed automated manual FWD	hills	light	light	6	0	14	80	67	39.0
2013	4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	light	0	24	21	56	69	25.5
2013	4dr Sedan 200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	none	0	32	14	54	83	27.1
2013	4dr Sedan 159-horsepower 2.4L I4 Hybrid 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	v.lt	none	2	13	15	71	102	32.5
2012	4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	hills	light	light	4	18	39	39	72	25.6
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2012	4dr Sedan 200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	none	0	4	20	76	69	32.3
2011	4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	hills	med	light	0	5	28	68	70	28.0
2011	4dr Sedan 200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	hills	light	none	4	7	21	67	66	28.7
2011	4dr Sedan 200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed manual FWD	flat	med	light	0	5	20	75	75	30.0
2010	4dr Sedan 194-horsepower 2.7L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	light	0	10	70	20	75	20.0
2010	4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	none	0	0	20	80	63	36.2
2009	4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	light	5	12	16	67	65	29.1
2008	4dr Sedan 162-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	light	20	60	10	10	60	26.3
2008	4dr Sedan 162-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD	flat	lead	light	30	15	30	25	75	26.2
2007	4dr Sedan 185-horsepower 2.7L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	none	7	13	3	78	108	29.5
2007	4dr Sedan 161-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	hills	med	none	1	36	48	15	63	23.2
2006.5	4dr Sedan 185-horsepower 2.7L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	hvy	6	4	33	58	66	24.6
2006.5	4dr Sedan 161-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	light	18	16	9	56	63	28.9
2006.5	4dr Sedan 161-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD	flat	light	hvy	0	0	10	90	60	30.0
2005	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.7L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD	hills	lead	light	5	95	0	0	0	12.1
2004	4dr Sedan 138-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD	flat	light	hvy	0	0	5	95	70	30.0

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This page shows only averages. See all the Kia Optima fuel economy data.

Subaru Legacy MPG

Year	Body/Powertrain	flat, hilly, or mountainousLand	driving style: very light to "lead foot"Foot	A/C use: none to heavyA/C	constant stop and goTraf %	many stops per mileCity %	stop every mile or twoSub %	fairly steady speedHwy %	Hwy Spd	MPG
2017	4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	flat	light	none	10	0	0	90	75	32.3
2016	4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	hills	light	light	5	5	40	50	65	30.0
2015	4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	flat	light	light	0	23	0	77	66	31.0
2013	4dr Sedan 256-horsepower 3.6L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	hills	light	hvy	0	25	28	47	64	24.4
2013	4dr Sedan 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	flat	med	hvy	1	47	12	41	62	28.2
2012	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	hills	med	light	0	7	6	88	70	32.0
2012	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	flat	med	none	0	15	50	35	63	25.0
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2011	4dr Sedan turbocharged 265hp 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	hills	lead	light	5	13	40	43	95	22.0
2011	4dr Sedan 256-horsepower 3.6L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	none	0	10	75	15	70	21.0
2011	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	flat	light	light	8	13	36	43	68	27.0
2011	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	hills	light	none	0	90	0	10	65	25.0
2010	4dr Sedan turbocharged 265hp 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	flat	med	light	6	13	29	52	69	23.9
2010	4dr Sedan 256-horsepower 3.6L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	light	5	6	15	74	75	26.5
2010	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	flat	light	light	7	16	10	67	67	28.5
2010	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	flat	med	none	5	60	20	15	100	21.4
2009	4dr Wagon turbocharged 148hp 2.0L H4 Diesel 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	none	0	5	10	85	120	39.4
2009	4dr Sedan turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	hills	med	none	8	15	33	45	70	24.9
2009	4dr Sedan turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	light	3	23	17	57	71	23.7
2009	4dr Sedan 245-horsepower 3.0L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	hills	med	none	2	18	58	22	70	20.4
2009	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	light	none	2	32	19	46	61	25.5
2008.5	4dr Sedan turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	light	20	70	0	10	120	18.4
2008	4dr Wagon 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	light	none	0	50	20	30	100	20.4
2008	4dr Sedan turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	flat	med	light	10	13	18	60	65	27.1
2008	4dr Sedan turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	light	none	2	18	44	36	104	23.4
2008	4dr Sedan turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	none	5	7	31	57	72	23.4
2008	4dr Sedan 245-horsepower 3.0L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	v.lt	light	4	7	8	81	61	26.9
2008	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	lead	none	5	15	15	65	75	27.8
2008	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	light	7	16	37	40	68	24.9
2007	4dr Wagon turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	hills	med	light	0	10	2	88	97	24.6
2007	4dr Sedan turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	flat	med	none	16	16	5	62	75	21.3
2007	4dr Sedan turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	hills	med	light	48	1	24	26	73	24.6
2007	4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	light	light	20	20	20	40	65	26.4
2007	4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	light	2	8	4	85	72	29.5
2006	4dr Wagon turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	hills	med	none	8	10	20	63	73	21.1
2006	4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	light	light	3	7	10	80	103	28.4
2006	4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	light	1	13	24	62	71	27.6
2006	4dr Sedan turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	hills	lead	light	3	18	32	48	64	22.4
2006	4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	light	light	3	3	3	90	87	29.9
2006	4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	light	hvy	0	10	20	70	50	33.0
2005	4dr Wagon turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	none	23	18	14	44	70	21.8
2005	4dr Wagon turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	light	7	35	16	42	72	21.8
2005	4dr Wagon 168-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	hills	v.lt	none	8	9	19	65	57	27.1
2005	4dr Wagon 168-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	hills	med	light	5	38	0	58	88	28.6
2005	4dr Sedan turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	lead	light	17	25	15	43	79	20.3
2005	4dr Sedan turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	none	7	9	21	63	75	22.2
2005	4dr Sedan 168-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	v.lt	none	10	50	20	20	100	25.6
2005	4dr Sedan 168-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	flat	med	light	9	26	20	45	72	26.1
2004	4dr Sedan 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	light	0	15	30	55	60	29.0
2003	4dr Wagon 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	none	0	18	23	58	102	19.8
2003	4dr Wagon 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	lead	light	0	30	63	7	60	20.6
2003	4dr Sedan 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	flat	med	light	0	10	18	73	58	28.5
2003	4dr Sedan 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	med	light	5	25	8	63	65	21.1
2002	4dr Wagon 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	hills	lead	light	5	40	25	30	90	25.5
2002	4dr Wagon 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	hills	light	none	10	50	20	20	55	17.0
2002	4dr Sedan 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	med	none	0	80	0	20	90	19.6
2001	4dr Sedan 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	flat	v.lt	hvy	0	0	60	40	70	47.8

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This page shows only averages. See all the Subaru Legacy fuel economy data.

See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans and Wagons.

See TrueDelta's information for all Kia models and Subaru models.

TrueDelta Reviews the Real Gas Mileage of the Kia Optima

Kia Optima Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Comment
2013	Many auto makers are substituting turbocharged fours for V6s because of their theoretically superior fuel economy. The Kia Optima SXL earns EPA ratings of 22 mpg city, 34 highway. The similarly turbo-foured Ford Fusion comes close, 22/33. The most fuel efficient V6, in the new Honda Accord, manages 21/34 without paddle shifters, but 21/32 with them. Trip computer numbers suggest a one-to-two mpg advantage for the Kia in real-world suburban driving--perhaps too close to call since these devices aren't terribly precise. Figure just under 20 with a heavy foot, mid-20s if you resist the temptation, and just over 30 with a very light foot and luck with the lights. All of these figures are with the engine warmed up. In cold weather, fuel economy is in the mid-teens for the first mile or two. An eco mode makes little noticeable difference in either how the car drives or its fuel economy. These numbers don't seem particularly good? Recall that the Kia Optima SXL is a very quick car. You won't find a 274-horsepower sedan that does better without the aid of a battery pack. see full Kia Optima review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the Kia Optima

Kia Optima Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2013	4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	I find fuel economy, in mixed driving, to be on par with a V6 of comparable power. I usually get about 24 MPG in combined driving. However, on a recent road trip, I had 32 MPG on one tank. It's perhaps slightly better than the Acura TL I had, but one big bonus: the Acura required premium unleaded. On the Kia Optima, however, the manufacturer only calls for regular unleaded. Over time, that can mean a significant savings. see full Kia Optima review
2012	4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	This is my biggest (and only real) complaint with the Optima. It advertises fuel economy of 22 city, 34 highway. I drive a lot (100 mile round trip daily, with more than half of it being highway miles). Admittedly, I have a heavy foot, but I regularly get about 24-25 mpg combined, with the car in ECO mode. The best tank of gas I ever got was a little over 28 mpg. (I calculate it manually, don't rely on the on-board MPG estimates, as they are always 3-5 MPG more generous than reality.) see full Kia Optima review
2011	4dr Sedan 200-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	High 30s on the highway and 29-30 overall with a lot of power. Active eco. setting for better economy. see full Kia Optima review
2011	4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	33 mpg on 200 mile trips at about 65 mph avg. see full Kia Optima review
2008	4dr Sedan 162-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD	Decent fuel mileage at this point for a mid-size sedan. see full Kia Optima review
2007	4dr Sedan 161-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	25-30 city/hwy see full Kia Optima review
2007	4dr Sedan 161-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	It may be a bit borderline in 100% city driving (19-20 mpg), but it gets 33mpg+ on the open highway, with only a 1-2 mpg penalty for using A/C. see full Kia Optima review
2007	4dr Sedan 161-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	got 42 mgh yesteerday on a 120 minute drive 25%/75% in town/highway driving. Like paying $2.25 per gallon, see full Kia Optima review
2005	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.7L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD	AS above see full Kia Optima review

Kia Optima Real Gas Mileage: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2012	4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	I'd recommend this car in a heartbeat. I honestly like this styling even more than the updates they've made since 2012. My biggest cons are the fuel economy and the lack of a manual transmission on any models other than the base model. see full Kia Optima review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the Subaru Legacy

Subaru Legacy Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2013	4dr Sedan 256-horsepower 3.6L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	The downside of the H6 is not great gas mileage, but for what you are getting, it is not bad. On the highway with cruise control have managed to get about 30 mpg. In a mix of city and highway it gets 23 mpg. In city only it gets 18 mpg. Again, for AWD not bad, but not great. Want better gas mileage, get the H4 engine. see full Subaru Legacy review
2010	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	With the CVT transmission, rpms stay low and there is no shifting saving on fuel. see full Subaru Legacy review
2010	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD	Great mileage for an AWD car see full Subaru Legacy review
2010	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	I average 43mpg in a little over half highway driving. I get 55mpg on the highway and about 35mpg in city driving. This is very impressive considering this car's performance. see full Subaru Legacy review
2006	4dr Wagon 175-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Better than expected especially for a heavy AWD wagon. see full Subaru Legacy review
2005	4dr Sedan 168-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	My driving styles provides better than stated fuel econcomy. see full Subaru Legacy review
2005	4dr Wagon 168-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	31 hwy, 22 city see full Subaru Legacy review
2005	4dr Sedan 168-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	Good fuel management. 20-23 Mpg city / 25-29 highway. see full Subaru Legacy review

Subaru Legacy Real Gas Mileage: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2010	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD	A bit thirstier than I had hoped - but the AWD probably has a lot to do with that. see full Subaru Legacy review
2009	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	The fuel economy with a 4 cylinder 170 hp engine is pretty disappointing at 22-23 mpg. The AWD system is responsible for some of the loss but I also drive an AWD Acura TL SH-AWD with a 6 cylinder 305 hp engine that is only marginally worse at 18-19 mpg. see full Subaru Legacy review
2008	4dr Sedan 245-horsepower 3.0L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	I do not dislike the fuel econ, its AWD and I knew that going into the purchase, after you walk away from a totaled vehicle, safety becomes the prioroty over fuel econ. Have been able to get 32mpg out of both vehicles with smart driving see full Subaru Legacy review
2008	4dr Sedan turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD	heavier concumption due to awd and power see full Subaru Legacy review
2007	4dr Sedan turbocharged 243hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	Room for improvement without driving below the speed limit. see full Subaru Legacy review
2006	4dr Sedan turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	With a 250 hp engine and AWD, I noticed fuel economy in the high teens to low 20s. see full Subaru Legacy review
2005	4dr Wagon turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	poor gas mileage for its size. getting about 18 mpg average in mixed driving. the car also requires 91+ octane. see full Subaru Legacy review
2005	4dr Sedan 168-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD	AWD system is a plus, overall, but fuel economy suffers. see full Subaru Legacy review
2005	4dr Sedan turbocharged 250hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD	In town gas mileage is about 20MPG. Highway can be as high as 28MPG but that is rare. see full Subaru Legacy review
2003	4dr Wagon 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD	Only get around 23mpg on average see full Subaru Legacy review