2017 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2017 Honda Clarity EV 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 · Electric motor (120 kW) · Single-speed · 114 MPGe · 89 mi
FWD · 2.0L 4-cyl · 6-speed dual-clutch · 103 MPGe + 40 MPG
The 2017 Honda Clarity EV is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $810 a year to fuel (114 MPGe), versus $1,007 for the 2017 Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid (103 MPGe + 40 MPG). That's roughly $197 a year, or about $986 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Honda Clarity EV
- Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid
Side by side
| Honda Clarity EV | Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $810 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,007 |
| 114 MPGe | Combined efficiency | 103 MPGe + 40 MPG |
| 126 MPGe | City | 103 MPGe / 38 MPG |
| 103 MPGe | Highway | 104 MPGe / 43 MPG |
| 30 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 33 kWh |
| 89 mi | Driving range | 610 mi |
| — | All-electric range | 29 mi |
| 102 cu ft | Passenger volume | 105 cu ft |
| 12 cu ft | Cargo volume | 10 cu ft |
| 0 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 |
| 4 hrs | Charge time at 240V | 2.7 hrs |
| Electric | Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid |
| Electricity | Fuel | Regular gas + electricity |
| Electric motor (120 kW) | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl |
| Single-speed | 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.
Honda Clarity EV vs Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid across model years
- Honda Clarity EV
- 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
The Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid goes farther between stops: about 610 miles on a full tank and charge, compared with 89 miles for the Honda Clarity EV.
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Honda Clarity EV has more cargo space (12 vs. 10 cu ft).
Among 67 2017 midsize cars, the Honda Clarity EV ranks 5th and the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid 8th for lowest fuel cost.
Because the Honda Clarity EV is fully electric, it has no tailpipe emissions and its running cost depends almost entirely on your electricity rate. Cheap overnight home charging widens its advantage over the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid; relying on DC fast chargers can erase it.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2017 Honda Clarity EV or the 2017 Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Honda Clarity EV. The Honda Clarity EV is rated 114 MPGe 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 Honda Clarity EV vs. the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, about $810 for the Honda Clarity EV and $1,007 for the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid.
Which has more range?
The Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid: about 610 miles versus 89 miles.
Which has more cargo space?
The Honda Clarity EV, with 12 cu ft of luggage volume versus 10 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
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