Model Years

2019 Kia Optima MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2019 Kia Optima gets up to 31 mpg combined with a gas engine and up to 41 mpg as a hybrid, across 6 EPA-tested versions.

EPA fuel economy

2019 Kia Optima · 6 EPA-tested versions

Best gas version

31MPG combined

27 city 37 highway

$2,100 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score7/10

1.6L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 7-speed automated manual

Best hybrid version

41MPG combined

39 city 45 highway

$1,600 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score9/10

2.0L 4-cyl hybrid · FWD · 6-speed automated manual

Best version saves $3,500 in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.32 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Sep 27, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $1,600 to $2,700 a year. The plug-in hybrid adds 29 miles of electric range and 103 MPGe on electricity. Compared with 2018, the best hybrid version is down 1 mpg.

Every 2019 Optima version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices; for plug-in hybrids it assumes typical charging.

VersionCombinedCity / HwyFuel / year
Hybrid
2.0L 4-cyl hybrid · FWD · 6-speed automated manual Best
EPA listing: Optima Hybrid
41 mpg 39 / 45 $1,600
Gas
1.6L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 7-speed automated manual
EPA listing: Optima
31 mpg 27 / 37 $2,100
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · FE
EPA listing: Optima FE
29 mpg 25 / 35 $2,250
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic
EPA listing: Optima
27 mpg 24 / 33 $2,400
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic
EPA listing: Optima
24 mpg 21 / 30 $2,700
Plug-in hybrid
2.0L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid · FWD · 6-speed automated manual
EPA listing: Optima Plug-in Hybrid · 103 MPGe on electricity · 29 mi electric range · MPG shown is running on gas
40 mpg 38 / 43 $1,100
with charging (EPA); gas only $1,600

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.32 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

VersionPer yearPer month5 years
2.0L 4-cyl hybrid · FWD · 6-speed automated manual
$1,580$132$7,902
1.6L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 7-speed automated manual
$2,090$174$10,452
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · FE
$2,234$186$11,172
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic
$2,400$200$12,000
2.0L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic
$2,700$225$13,500
2.0L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid · FWD · 6-speed automated manual (on gas)
$1,620$135$8,100

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50. Plug-in hybrids are calculated running on gas only.

Kia Optima MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 31 mpg (every year from 2016 to 2020). Hybrid: 37 to 42 mpg (every year from 2016 to 2020); highest in 2017.

  • Best gas version
  • Best hybrid version

2019: gas 31 mpg · hybrid 41 mpg

Show as a table
Kia Optima best combined mpg by model year
Model yearBest gas versionBest hybrid version
20163137
20173142
20183142
20193141
20203142

How the 2019 Optima compares

2019 midsize sedans covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2019 modelBest combinedBest gasFuel / year
Best: hybrid
52 mpg34 mpg$1,250
Best: hybrid
48 mpg33 mpg$1,350
Best: hybrid
46 mpg32 mpg$1,400
Best: hybrid
42 mpg31 mpg$1,550
Kia Optima This page
Best: hybrid
41 mpg31 mpg$1,600
Best: gas
32 mpg32 mpg$2,050

2019 Optima recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 209 owner complaints for the 2019 Optima.What they cover, and crash test ratings

Questions

How much fuel does the 2019 Optima hybrid save?

Comparing two-wheel-drive versions at EPA's assumptions (15,000 miles a year, $4.32 a gallon), the hybrid costs $1,600 a year to fuel against $2,100 for the gas model: $500 a year, or $2,500 over five years.

Does the 2019 Kia Optima need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2019 Kia Optima version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2019 Optima's MPG compare with the 2018?

For 2019, the best gas version is rated 31 mpg, the same as the year before and the best hybrid version is rated 41 mpg, down 1 from 42.

Sources and method

  • US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Sep 18, 2026.
  • EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.32, midgrade $4.93, premium $5.32, diesel $6.29 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
  • Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Sep 27, 2026 and complaint file dated Sep 26, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.