2018 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2018 Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid vs Toyota Avalon 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 · 103 MPGe + 40 MPG
FWD · 2.5L 4-cyl · CVT · 40 MPG
The 2018 Kia Optima 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 $1,007 a year to fuel (103 MPGe + 40 MPG), versus $1,162 for the 2018 Toyota Avalon Hybrid (40 MPG). That's roughly $155 a year, or about $776 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
- Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid
- Toyota Avalon Hybrid
Side by side
| Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid | Toyota Avalon Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,007 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,162 |
| 103 MPGe + 40 MPG | Combined efficiency | 40 MPG |
| 103 MPGe / 38 MPG | City | 40 MPG |
| 104 MPGe / 43 MPG | Highway | 39 MPG |
| 33 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | — |
| 610 mi | Driving range | — |
| 29 mi | All-electric range | — |
| 105 cu ft | Passenger volume | 104 cu ft |
| 10 cu ft | Cargo volume | 14 cu ft |
| 97 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 223 g/mi |
| 10/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 9/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 9/10 |
| 2.7 hrs | Charge time at 240V | — |
| Plug-in hybrid | Powertrain | Hybrid |
| Regular gas + electricity | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 2.5L 4-cyl |
| 6-speed dual-clutch | Transmission | CVT |
| 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.
Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid vs Toyota Avalon Hybrid across model years
- Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid
- Toyota Avalon 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 Toyota Avalon Hybrid has more cargo space (14 vs. 10 cu ft).
Among 74 2018 midsize cars, the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid ranks 10th and the Toyota Avalon Hybrid 18th for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid, while the Toyota Avalon Hybrid is a full hybrid.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2018 Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid or the 2018 Toyota Avalon Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid. The Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid is rated 103 MPGe + 40 MPG combined and the Toyota Avalon Hybrid 40 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2018 Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid vs. the Toyota Avalon Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,007 for the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid and $1,162 for the Toyota Avalon Hybrid.
Which has more cargo space?
The Toyota Avalon Hybrid, with 14 cu ft of luggage volume versus 10 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid vs Toyota Avalon Hybrid in other years
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