2018 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2018 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in 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 · 2.0L 4-cyl · 6-speed dual-clutch · 99 MPGe + 39 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 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, the most efficient 2018 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid (99 MPGe + 39 MPG) costs about $1,038 a year to fuel and the 2018 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
- Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid
- Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid
Side by side
| Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid | Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,038 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,007 |
| 99 MPGe + 39 MPG | Combined efficiency | 103 MPGe + 40 MPG |
| 99 MPGe / 37 MPG | City | 103 MPGe / 38 MPG |
| 100 MPGe / 42 MPG | Highway | 104 MPGe / 43 MPG |
| 34 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 33 kWh |
| 600 mi | Driving range | 610 mi |
| 28 mi | All-electric range | 29 mi |
| 106 cu ft | Passenger volume | 105 cu ft |
| 10 cu ft | Cargo volume | 10 cu ft |
| 100 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 |
| 2.7 hrs | Charge time at 240V | 2.7 hrs |
| Plug-in hybrid | Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid |
| Regular gas + electricity | Fuel | Regular gas + electricity |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl |
| 6-speed dual-clutch | 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.
Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid vs Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid across model years
- Hyundai Sonata Plug-in 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
The Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid goes farther between stops: about 610 miles on a full tank and charge, compared with 600 miles for the Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid.
Among 74 2018 midsize cars, the Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid ranks 13th and the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid 10th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid or the 2018 Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid. The Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid is rated 99 MPGe + 39 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 2018 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid 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 $1,038 for the Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid and $1,007 for the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid.
Which has more range?
The Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid: about 610 miles versus 600 miles.
Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid vs Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid in other years
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