2018 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2018 Chevrolet Malibu 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 · 1.8L 4-cyl · CVT · 46 MPG
FWD · 2.0L 4-cyl · 6-speed dual-clutch · 42 MPG
The 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,011 a year to fuel (46 MPG), versus $1,107 for the 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid (42 MPG). That's roughly $96 a year, or about $481 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
- Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
- Kia Optima Hybrid
Side by side
| Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid | Kia Optima Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,011 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,107 |
| 46 MPG | Combined efficiency | 42 MPG |
| 49 MPG | City | 39 MPG |
| 43 MPG | Highway | 46 MPG |
| 100 cu ft | Passenger volume | 105 cu ft |
| 13 cu ft | Cargo volume | 13 cu ft |
| 194 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 |
| Hybrid | Powertrain | Hybrid |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 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 Hybrid across model years
- Chevrolet Malibu 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).
Among 74 2018 midsize cars, the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid ranks 11th and the Kia Optima Hybrid 15th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid or the 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. The Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is rated 46 MPG combined and the Kia Optima Hybrid 42 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid vs. the Kia Optima Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,011 for the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid and $1,107 for the Kia Optima Hybrid.
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid vs Kia Optima Hybrid in other years
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