2017 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2017 Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid vs Kia Optima 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 · 2.0L 4-cyl · CVT · 95 MPGe + 39 MPG
FWD · 2.0L 4-cyl · 6-speed dual-clutch · 42 MPG
On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, the most efficient 2017 Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid (95 MPGe + 39 MPG) costs about $1,078 a year to fuel and the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid (42 MPG) about $1,107.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid
- Kia Optima Hybrid
Side by side
| Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid | Kia Optima Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,078 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,107 |
| 95 MPGe + 39 MPG | Combined efficiency | 42 MPG |
| 104 MPGe / 41 MPG | City | 39 MPG |
| 87 MPGe / 38 MPG | Highway | 46 MPG |
| 35 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | — |
| 570 mi | Driving range | — |
| 20 mi | All-electric range | — |
| 100 cu ft | Passenger volume | 105 cu ft |
| 19 cu ft | Cargo volume | 13 cu ft |
| 122 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 212 g/mi |
| 10/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 9/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 9/10 |
| 2.5 hrs | Charge time at 240V | — |
| Plug-in hybrid | Powertrain | Hybrid |
| Regular gas + electricity | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 2.0L 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.
Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid vs Kia Optima Hybrid across model years
- Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid
- Kia Optima 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 Hybrid has more passenger space (105 vs. 100 cu ft); the Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid has more cargo space (19 vs. 13 cu ft).
Among 67 2017 midsize cars, the Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid ranks 12th and the Kia Optima Hybrid 15th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid, while the Kia Optima Hybrid is a full hybrid.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2017 Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid or the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid. The Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid is rated 95 MPGe + 39 MPG combined and the Kia Optima Hybrid 42 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2017 Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid vs. the Kia Optima Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,078 for the Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid and $1,107 for the Kia Optima Hybrid.
Which has more cargo space?
The Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid, with 19 cu ft of luggage volume versus 13 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Ford C-MAX Plug-in Hybrid vs Kia Optima Hybrid in other years
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