2019 head-to-head · Midsize Car

2019 Hyundai Sonata 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
$1,038/ year to fuel
99 MPGe + 39 MPG

FWD · 2.0L 4-cyl · 6-speed dual-clutch · 99 MPGe + 39 MPG

✓ Cheaper to run
$1,134/ year to fuel
41 MPG

FWD · 2.0L 4-cyl · 6-speed dual-clutch · 41 MPG

The 2019 Hyundai Sonata 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 $1,038 a year to fuel (99 MPGe + 39 MPG), versus $1,134 for the 2019 Kia Optima Hybrid (41 MPG). That's roughly $97 a year, or about $483 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

  • Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid
  • Kia Optima Hybrid

Side by side

Hyundai Sonata Plug-in HybridKia Optima Hybrid
$1,038 Your annual fuel cost $1,134
99 MPGe + 39 MPG Combined efficiency 41 MPG
99 MPGe / 37 MPG City 39 MPG
100 MPGe / 42 MPG Highway 45 MPG
34 kWh Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) —
600 mi Driving range —
28 mi All-electric range —
106 cu ft Passenger volume 105 cu ft
10 cu ft Cargo volume 13 cu ft
100 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 215 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 2.0L 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 Hybrid across model years

  • Hyundai Sonata 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. 10 cu ft).

Among 68 2019 midsize cars, the Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid ranks 14th and the Kia Optima Hybrid 19th for lowest fuel cost.

The powertrains differ: the Hyundai Sonata 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 2019 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid or the 2019 Kia Optima Hybrid?

Measured by cost to drive, the Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid. The Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid is rated 99 MPGe + 39 MPG combined and the Kia Optima Hybrid 41 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2019 Hyundai Sonata 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 $1,038 for the Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid and $1,134 for the Kia Optima Hybrid.

Which has more cargo space?

The Kia Optima Hybrid, with 13 cu ft of luggage volume versus 10 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).

Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid vs Kia Optima Hybrid in other years

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