Kia Optima Hybrid vs. Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Optima Hybrid and Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Kia Optima Hybrid and the Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid.
When comparing the Kia Optima Hybrid's and the Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid's specifications and ratings, the Kia Optima Hybrid has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and resale value. The Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars and base engine power. The Kia Optima Hybrid and Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid have the same interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Kia Optima Hybrid's and the Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2020 Kia Optima Hybrid ranges from $16,892 to $24,795 while a used 2020 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid is priced between $15,736 to $27,746.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Kia Optima Hybrid loses 46.4 percent of its value and the Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid loses 46.9 percent of its value. This means the Kia Optima Hybrid retains 0.5 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Kia Optima Hybrid’s base engine makes 192 horsepower, and the Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid base engine makes 202 horsepower. The Optima Hybrid is rated to deliver an average of 42 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 716 miles. The Optima Plug-In Hybrid is rated to deliver an average of 41 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 666 miles. This gives the Kia Optima Hybrid the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid. The Optima Hybrid uses regular unleaded, and the Optima Plug-In Hybrid uses electricity, regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Kia Optima Hybrid and Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid are comparable in regards to interior volume, front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: The Kia Optima Hybrid has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$29,310
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
$30,220
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
$25,870 - $36,090
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$36,090
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
$30,220
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
$25,870 - $36,090
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$21,345
Price Range:
$16,892 - $24,795
Category Avg Price:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
$23,071
Category Avg Price Range:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
$19,426 - $25,428
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
8
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
50,426
# Good or Great Deals:
5
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$22,843
Price Range:
$15,736 - $27,746
Category Avg Price:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
$23,071
Category Avg Price Range:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
$19,426 - $25,428
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
4
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
71,595
# Good or Great Deals:
3
Kia Optima Hybrid Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Optima Hybrid
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6.2
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
6.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
6.2 - 8.9
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
3.5%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
6.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
6.2 - 8.9
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.8
Typical Category Recalls:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
1.3 - 14.4
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.9
Typical Category Recalls:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Hybrid Midsize Cars)
1.3 - 14.4
Kia Optima Hybrid Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 25Ranking
3 out of / 11Ranking
3 out of / 11Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
5 out of / 25Ranking
5 out of / 11Ranking
6 out of / 25Ranking
6 out of / 25Ranking
6 out of / 11Ranking
7 out of / 25Ranking
7 out of / 11Ranking
7 out of / 11Ranking
14 out of / 25Ranking
15 out of / 25Ranking
18 out of / 25Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 10Ranking
2 out of / 25Ranking
2 out of / 11Ranking
4 out of / 11Ranking
4 out of / 10Ranking
5 out of / 11Ranking
6 out of / 10Ranking
6 out of / 10Ranking
6 out of / 10Ranking
7 out of / 11Ranking
8 out of / 25Ranking
8 out of / 11Ranking
11 out of / 25Ranking
16 out of / 25Ranking
19 out of / 25Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Plug-In Hybrid
Kia Optima Hybrid Trim Levels
EX
Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid Trim Levels
EX
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
192 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
271 foot-lbs @ 1770 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.055 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
202 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
276 foot-lbs @ 2330 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.053 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
40 / 45 / 42
Range (city/hwy):
636 / 716 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
39 / 44 / 41
Range (city/hwy):
594 / 666 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity, Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
Standard
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
45.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.4 inches
Cargo Space:
13.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
104.8 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
45.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.4 inches
Cargo Space:
9.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
104.8 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3496 lbs
Width:
73.2 inches
Height:
57.5 inches
Length:
191.1 inches
Wheelbase:
110.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.1 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3799 lbs
Width:
73.2 inches
Height:
57.5 inches
Length:
191.1 inches
Wheelbase:
110.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.1 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/55R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P215/55R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Aurora Black Pearl
Blue
Gravity Blue
Red
Runway Red
White
Snow White Pearl
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Aurora Black Pearl
Blue
Gravity Blue
Red
Not available
White
Snow White Pearl
Silver
Aluminum Silver
Interior Colors
Black
Black
White
White
Interior Colors
Black
Black
White
White
