2018 head-to-head · Midsize Car

2018 Ford Fusion 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.

Swap sides
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,030/ year to fuel
97 MPGe + 42 MPG

FWD · 2.0L 4-cyl · CVT · 97 MPGe + 42 MPG

✓ Cheaper to run
$1,107/ year to fuel
42 MPG

FWD · 2.0L 4-cyl · 6-speed dual-clutch · 42 MPG

The 2018 Ford Fusion Plug-in Hybrid 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 $1,030 a year to fuel (97 MPGe + 42 MPG), versus $1,107 for the 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid (42 MPG). That's roughly $78 a year, or about $388 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

  • Ford Fusion Plug-in Hybrid
  • Kia Optima Hybrid

Side by side

Ford Fusion Plug-in HybridKia Optima Hybrid
$1,030 Your annual fuel cost $1,107
97 MPGe + 42 MPG Combined efficiency 42 MPG
102 MPGe / 43 MPG City 39 MPG
91 MPGe / 41 MPG Highway 46 MPG
35 kWh Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) —
610 mi Driving range —
21 mi All-electric range —
103 cu ft Passenger volume 105 cu ft
8 cu ft Cargo volume 13 cu ft
112 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 Fusion Plug-in Hybrid vs Kia Optima Hybrid across model years

  • Ford Fusion 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 cargo space (13 vs. 8 cu ft).

Among 74 2018 midsize cars, the Ford Fusion Plug-in Hybrid ranks 12th and the Kia Optima Hybrid 15th for lowest fuel cost.

The powertrains differ: the Ford Fusion 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 2018 Ford Fusion Plug-in Hybrid or the 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid?

Measured by cost to drive, the Ford Fusion Plug-in Hybrid. The Ford Fusion Plug-in Hybrid is rated 97 MPGe + 42 MPG combined and the Kia Optima Hybrid 42 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2018 Ford Fusion 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 $1,030 for the Ford Fusion Plug-in Hybrid and $1,107 for the Kia Optima Hybrid.

Which has more cargo space?

The Kia Optima Hybrid, with 13 cu ft of luggage volume versus 8 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).

Ford Fusion Plug-in Hybrid vs Kia Optima Hybrid in other years

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