2017 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid vs Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
FWD · 1.8L 4-cyl · CVT · 46 MPG
FWD · 2.0L 4-cyl · 6-speed dual-clutch · 103 MPGe + 40 MPG
On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and 18¢/kWh electricity, the most efficient 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid (46 MPG) costs about $1,011 a year to fuel and the 2017 Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid (103 MPGe + 40 MPG) about $1,007.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
- Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid
Side by side
| Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid | Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,011 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,007 |
| 46 MPG | Combined efficiency | 103 MPGe + 40 MPG |
| 49 MPG | City | 103 MPGe / 38 MPG |
| 43 MPG | Highway | 104 MPGe / 43 MPG |
| — | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 33 kWh |
| — | Driving range | 610 mi |
| — | All-electric range | 29 mi |
| 100 cu ft | Passenger volume | 105 cu ft |
| 16 cu ft | Cargo volume | 10 cu ft |
| 194 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 97 g/mi |
| 10/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 10/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 10/10 |
| — | Charge time at 240V | 2.7 hrs |
| Hybrid | Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gas + electricity |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl |
| CVT | Transmission | 6-speed dual-clutch |
| FWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid vs Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid across model years
- Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
- Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid has more passenger space (105 vs. 100 cu ft); the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid has more cargo space (16 vs. 10 cu ft).
Among 67 2017 midsize cars, the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid ranks 9th and the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid 8th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is a full hybrid, while the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid or the 2017 Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid. The Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is rated 46 MPG combined and the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid 103 MPGe + 40 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid vs. the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and 18¢/kWh electricity, about $1,011 for the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid and $1,007 for the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid.
Which has more cargo space?
The Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, with 16 cu ft of luggage volume versus 10 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid vs Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid in other years
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