MENU
1 0 8 0 7 2

We are 108,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

Kia Optima MPG

MPG Number of Vehicles
12 miles per gallon 1 vehicles
13 miles per gallon 0 vehicles
14 miles per gallon 1 vehicles
15 miles per gallon 0 vehicles
16 miles per gallon 1 vehicles
17 miles per gallon 1 vehicles
18 miles per gallon 0 vehicles
19 miles per gallon 6 vehicles
20 miles per gallon 8 vehicles
21 miles per gallon 5 vehicles
22 miles per gallon 15 vehicles
23 miles per gallon 11 vehicles
24 miles per gallon 11 vehicles
25 miles per gallon 3 vehicles
26 miles per gallon 10 vehicles
27 miles per gallon 7 vehicles
28 miles per gallon 4 vehicles
29 miles per gallon 9 vehicles
30 miles per gallon 9 vehicles
31 miles per gallon 5 vehicles
32 miles per gallon 8 vehicles
33 miles per gallon 8 vehicles
34 miles per gallon 5 vehicles
35 miles per gallon 7 vehicles
36 miles per gallon 5 vehicles
37 miles per gallon 2 vehicles
38 miles per gallon 1 vehicles
39 miles per gallon 1 vehicles
40 miles per gallon 2 vehicles
41 miles per gallon 2 vehicles
42 miles per gallon 1 vehicles
Model Year Body/Powertrain MPG  
2016 2016 4dr Sedan turbocharged 178hp 1.6L I4 7-sp automated manual FWD 38.99
See all data
With the turbocharged 178hp 1.6L I4 engine, 7-speed automated manual transmission, and front-wheel drive, the 2016 Kia Optima has been averaging 38.99 MPG (miles per gallon).

The 2016 Kia Optimas in this analysis were driven mostly on the highway at an average speed of 67 miles per hour (about 80 percent of the miles driven). The rest of the miles were in heavy traffic (6 percent), in the suburbs (0 percent), and in the city (0 percent).

In addition, the average 2016 Kia Optima in this analysis was driven on hilly terrain with a light foot and the AC on only some of the time.
2013 2013 4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-sp shiftable automatic FWD 25.49
See all data
2013 2013 4dr Sedan 200-hp 2.4L I4 6-sp shiftable automatic FWD 27.06
See all data
2013 2013 4dr Sedan 159-hp 2.4L I4 Hybrid 6-sp shiftable automatic FWD 32.45
See all data
2012 2012 4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-sp shiftable automatic FWD 25.58
See all data
2012 2012 4dr Sedan 200-hp 2.4L I4 6-sp shiftable automatic FWD 32.33
See all data
Looking for a warranty? Get a quote.
2011 2011 4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-sp shiftable automatic FWD 27.99
See all data
2011 2011 4dr Sedan 200-hp 2.4L I4 6-sp manual FWD 30
See all data
2011 2011 4dr Sedan 200-hp 2.4L I4 6-sp shiftable automatic FWD 28.7
See all data
2010 2010 4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-sp shiftable automatic FWD 20
See all data
2010 2010 4dr Sedan 200-hp 2.4L I4 6-sp shiftable automatic FWD 36.19
See all data
2009 2009 4dr Sedan 200-hp 2.4L I4 6-sp shiftable automatic FWD 29.26
See all data
2008 2008 4dr Sedan 200-hp 2.4L I4 6-sp manual FWD 26.17
See all data
2008 2008 4dr Sedan 200-hp 2.4L I4 6-sp shiftable automatic FWD 26.3
See all data
2007 2007 4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-sp shiftable automatic FWD 29.53
See all data
2007 2007 4dr Sedan 200-hp 2.4L I4 6-sp shiftable automatic FWD 23.16
See all data
2006.5 2006.5 4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-sp shiftable automatic FWD 24.55
See all data
2006.5 2006.5 4dr Sedan 200-hp 2.4L I4 6-sp manual FWD 30
See all data
2006.5 2006.5 4dr Sedan 200-hp 2.4L I4 6-sp shiftable automatic FWD 28.85
See all data
2005 2005 4dr Sedan turbocharged 274hp 2.0L I4 6-sp shiftable automatic FWD 12.12
See all data
2004 2004 4dr Sedan 200-hp 2.4L I4 6-sp manual FWD 30
See all data

Return to top

TrueDelta Reviews the Real Gas Mileage of the Kia Optima

Kia Optima Real Gas Mileage: Pros
YearComment
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
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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		 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
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		 25-30 city/hwy 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
YearBody/PowertrainComment
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
 

Kia Optima Gas Mileage (MPG)

Unlike other fuel economy surveys, TrueDelta's Real-World Gas Mileage Survey includes questions about how and where a car was driven. So you can get an idea of the Kia Optima's real-world MPG based on how and where you drive a car.