2020 head-to-head · Midsize Car
2020 Honda Clarity 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 · 1.5L 4-cyl · CVT · 110 MPGe + 42 MPG
FWD · 2.0L 4-cyl · 6-speed dual-clutch · 101 MPGe + 41 MPG
The 2020 Honda Clarity 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 $910 a year to fuel (110 MPGe + 42 MPG), versus $996 for the 2020 Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid (101 MPGe + 41 MPG). That's roughly $86 a year, or about $432 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
- Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid
- Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid
Side by side
| Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid | Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $910 | Your annual fuel cost | $996 |
| 110 MPGe + 42 MPG | Combined efficiency | 101 MPGe + 41 MPG |
| 117 MPGe / 44 MPG | City | 103 MPGe / 39 MPG |
| 102 MPGe / 40 MPG | Highway | 100 MPGe / 44 MPG |
| 31 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | 33 kWh |
| 340 mi | Driving range | 630 mi |
| 48 mi | All-electric range | 28 mi |
| 102 cu ft | Passenger volume | 105 cu ft |
| 16 cu ft | Cargo volume | 10 cu ft |
| 57 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 |
| 2.2 hrs | Charge time at 240V | 2.7 hrs |
| Plug-in hybrid | Powertrain | Plug-in hybrid |
| Regular gas + electricity | Fuel | Regular gas + electricity |
| 1.5L 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.
Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid vs Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid across model years
- Honda Clarity 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 630 miles on a full tank and charge, compared with 340 miles for the Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid.
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid has more cargo space (16 vs. 10 cu ft).
Among 64 2020 midsize cars, the Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid ranks 9th and the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid 11th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2020 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid or the 2020 Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid. The Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid is rated 110 MPGe + 42 MPG combined and the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid 101 MPGe + 41 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2020 Honda Clarity 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 $910 for the Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid and $996 for the Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid.
Which has more range?
The Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid: about 630 miles versus 340 miles.
Which has more cargo space?
The Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, with 16 cu ft of luggage volume versus 10 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid vs Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid in other years
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