The 2016 Kia Optima Hybrid gets 37 MPG combined. This mid-size sedan is designed to be a practical family car with better fuel efficiency. It’s built for budget-conscious drivers who commute or take family trips and want a comfortable interior and a good warranty.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the 2016 Optima Hybrid gets 35 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the highway. To get the most out of these numbers, you need to understand how the hybrid system works. The 2.4L 4-cylinder engine works with an electric motor. The car uses electric-only driving as much as possible in slow, stop-and-go city traffic. This is where you’re most likely to get 35 MPG.

On the highway, the electric motor helps the gasoline engine, which improves efficiency. Because the electric motor isn’t very big, the MPG gains are smaller at higher speeds. If you’re driving faster than 70 MPH, expect fuel economy closer to what you’d get with a regular gasoline engine car.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates that it costs $1,200 per year to fuel the 2016 Kia Optima Hybrid. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and paying the national average fuel price. Your actual fuel costs may be different depending on how you drive, the roads you drive on, and local fuel prices. If you mostly drive in the city and try to maximize the hybrid system, you might spend less than that. If you mostly drive on the highway or drive aggressively, you’ll probably spend more than $1,200 per year. See more all Kia fuel economy data.

Real-world expectations

The EPA numbers are a good starting point, but real-world fuel economy can be different. Some owners get numbers close to the EPA estimates, but some get less. How you drive (aggressive acceleration and braking use more fuel), the terrain (hills use more fuel than flat roads), and the weather (extreme temperatures can affect the battery) all affect real-world MPG. Tire pressure, vehicle maintenance, and cargo weight also matter.

Watch for dashboard alerts that show you how to drive efficiently. The OPTIMA MPG varies OPTIMA MPG across all years.

How it compares

The mid-size hybrid sedan market was competitive in 2016. The Toyota Camry Hybrid LE, with an EPA-estimated 43 MPG city and 39 MPG highway, was a good choice if you wanted the best fuel economy. The Ford Fusion Hybrid got about 44 mpg city and 41 mpg highway.

The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, which uses the same platform as the Optima, had similar fuel economy, usually within 1 MPG of the Kia. The Optima’s bolder styling and more premium interior made it appealing to many buyers for about the same cost. The Chevy Malibu Hybrid also competed, offering around 47 mpg city.

Drivers interested in maximizing cargo space sometimes considered the Prius’s hatchback design. However, the handling and driving experience were not as enjoyable as the Optima.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Use “Eco” mode when driving on fairly flat roads or when traffic is light. It reduces throttle response and changes when the transmission shifts, which helps the electric motor work more and uses less fuel.

Look ahead and slow down early. Try not to brake suddenly. Watch the traffic and let the car coast when you’re approaching red lights or slowing down. This maximizes regenerative braking, which recharges the battery and reduces brake wear.

Watch the energy flow display. The Optima Hybrid has a display that shows how energy is moving between the engine, electric motor, and battery. Pay attention to it so you can understand how the hybrid system is working and adjust your driving. Try to keep the car in electric-only mode as much as you can, especially at low speeds.

Limit how much you use the air conditioner, the heater, and other electrical devices. These can use a lot of battery power and reduce fuel economy. Try to use them only when needed, especially on short trips. You can also pre-condition the cabin while the car is plugged in. This will use electricity from the grid, which saves energy.