2018 Kia Optima Hybrid Review

Price Estimate: $11,803 - $13,988

Kia Optima Hybrid EX Sedan Exterior Shown

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Edmunds' Expert Review

by Will Kaufman^{Senior Editor and Content Strategist, CarMax
Will Kaufman has worked in the automotive industry since 2017. He has written hundreds of car-related articles and reviews over the course of his career. Will is a senior editor and content strategist for CarMax at Edmunds. Will has been featured in the Associated Press and a number of major outlets on the topics of infotainment and vehicle data, vehicle subscription services and autonomous vehicles. Will started his career in online publishing by writing and editing standardized test guides, but he has a lot more fun writing about cars.}

Pros

Quiet interior around town and on the highway
Available 60/40-split rear seats increase the cargo area
Offers plenty of available safety and luxury features

Cons

Some rival hybrid sedans get better fuel economy
Rear headroom is limited by the sloping roofline

What’s new

For 2018 the Optima Hybrid carries over with only minor changes to color options and trim-level content.

Vehicle overview

We like the Kia Optima sedan for offering lots of features for the money, along with a well-designed interior and a quiet ride. Adding a hybrid powertrain that's both more powerful and significantly more fuel-efficient than the standard gasoline engine seems like a no-brainer.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

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2018 Kia Optima Hybrid
Premium Sedan
$10,750
good price
$864 below market
- 107,763 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 4cyl automatic
- Tim Dahle Nissan Murray (359 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Power Driver Seat
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
Close
Located in Murray, UT
PRE-TARIFF SALE! 30 PRE-OWNED EVs IN STOCK! **PRICE INCLUDES IRS EV REBATE** NOT ALL CUSTOMERS WILL QUALIFY. SEE DEALER FOR DETAILS! NO PAYMENTS UNTIL...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
42 Combined MPG (39 City/46 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KNAGT4LE3J5023147
Stock: 43620A
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 01-30-2025
2018 Kia Optima Hybrid
Premium Sedan
$12,995
- 106,476 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, corporate fleet vehicle
- 4cyl automatic
- Auto Solutions (533 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Blind Spot Monitorin...
- Power Driver Seat
Close
Located in Warr Acres, OK
NEW ARRIVAL! MORE PHOTO & INFO COMING SOON!
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
42 Combined MPG (39 City/46 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KNAGT4LE2J5023530
Stock: 023530
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 07-05-2024

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The biggest trade-off for the hybrid powertrain is the loss of some cargo space, which drops by 2.5 cubic feet. The available 60/40-split folding rear seats do mean that extra space is available. The Optima Hybrid is also limited to higher trim levels, so if you're looking for a basic hybrid, this might not be the car for you.

The Optima Hybrid certainly makes a case for itself in the segment, too. While we like the driving experience of the Ford Fusion Hybrid, it's an older model than the Optima and in need of a refresh. The new Toyota Camry Hybrid is very efficient but offers fewer features and a less usable infotainment interface. The biggest wild card might be the Honda Accord Hybrid, due out later this year: It's based on our current favorite midsize sedan, and it loses no cargo space in the electrification process.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

The 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid is an easy-driving, fuel-efficient sedan with a long list of standard and available features, even though it's not the most efficient hybrid available.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions, although trim levels share many aspects. Though we have not fully tested the new Optima Hybrid yet, we can glean some insight by relating our opinions from our full test of the 2016 Kia Optima LX Turbo (turbo 1.6L flat-4 | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic | FWD). The two cars have different engines, but many of our other opinions still apply to the hybrid.

Driving

Though we haven't driven the 2018 Optima Hybrid yet, we have tested the mechanically related Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. We expect the Optima will pull away smoothly from a stop thanks to initial electric-only power. Outright performance and handling, however, are likely to be a bit disappointing.

Comfort

The regular Optima sedan delivers a smooth ride on all kinds of pavement, and the cabin is quiet at highway speeds. We're not as thrilled with the seats, though.

Seat comfort

Heated front seats are standard; ventilated seats and heated rear seats are options. The front seats are roomy but lack lateral side bolstering. The rear seats are also spacious, but the low-mounted cushion may lack support for average-size adults.

Ride comfort

The regular Optima sedan absorbs small, high-frequency bumps pretty well for an overall smooth ride. Larger undulations cause some jostling, but not significantly more compared to rivals in this class. The Hybrid's ride quality should not be that different despite the different powertrain.

Interior

The Optima's interior, regardless of model or trim, isn't especially exciting visually. That said, it serves its functions well. The feature set makes you feel as if you're getting a lot more for your money, although the quality of materials feels a bit mediocre.

Ease of use

We give the Optima high marks for its easy-to-use infotainment system and readable physical buttons that are logically placed. The primary controls are all within reach, and there's no guesswork with buttons that are a bit out of the way.

Getting in/getting out

The tall door openings free from obstructions allow passengers to access their seats with little difficulty. The doors are adequately short in length to provide access in tight parking spots.

Roominess

The front seats have plenty of space for larger passengers, and the range of adjustments will cover short and tall occupants. The rear outboard seats benefit from an abundance of legroom, but headroom is only adequate for adults of average height.

Visibility

The Optima's cabin feels big and airy thanks to large windows and narrow roof pillars, but the high rear decklid and rear-seat headrests obscure the rearward view. The standard rearview camera and optional parking sensors help reduce blind spots.

Quality

Plenty of plastic is used throughout the interior, but it's sturdy and the texture is visually appealing. The car feels as solid as any other sedan in the class.

Utility

With 13.4 cubic feet of storage, trunk space is slightly above the class average for a midsize hybrid sedan. It gains extra points for the 60/40-split rear seats in the EX model, though the opening is on the small side. Inside, there's plenty of space for personal items in the many bins and pockets.

Technology

Kudos to Kia for an easy-to-use infotainment system with high-quality graphics and plenty of redundant physical buttons so you don't get lost in menus. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are appreciated.

Audio & navigation

Like Kia itself, the touchscreen interface prefers function to form. There's nothing flashy; it's just easy to use and competent. The navigation system is fine, but we wish it tried to predict street and city names in the input screens.

Driver aids

Most of the latest driver safety aids, such as lane departure warning and forward collision warning, are optional on the Optima. A rearview camera is standard.

Compare 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2018 Kia Optima Hybrid models

The front-wheel-drive 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid is well-equipped no matter which version you choose. The entry-level Premium comes with dual-zone climate control, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and keyless entry and ignition. The Premium's Convenience package offers a good value for the extra features you get, while the EX takes that and adds goodies such as leather upholstery and a kicking Harman Kardon sound system. An electric motor and a 2.0-liter engine combine to produce 192 hp. Most hybrids have a continuously variable automatic transmission, but the Optima Hybrid sticks with a six-speed automatic transmission that gives a more traditional shifting feel.

The Premium trim comes with many standard features, including 16-inch wheels, heated mirrors, a rearview camera, keyless entry and ignition, a driver information display, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, a 7-inch touchscreen, and a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio.

The available Convenience package adds power-folding mirrors, laminated front windows to help noise reduction, a power driver seat with memory settings, rear air vents, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors and extra USB ports.

The EX has the Convenience package as standard (minus the parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring) and adds 17-inch wheels, LED daytime running lights, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, leather upholstery, 60/40-split folding rear seats, an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with HD radio.

You can't get a more luxurious Optima Hybrid than the EX equipped with the Technology package, which adds LED adaptive headlights, automatic high-beam control, a panoramic sunroof, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, adaptive cruise control, a power passenger seat, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, rear side-window sunshades, lane departure warning, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear parking sensors.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid Premium 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.10 per gallon for regular unleaded in Colorado.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Colorado

$92/mo

$155/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

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Kia Optima Hybrid Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.6

13 reviews

5(46%)

4(15%)

3(8%)

2(15%)

1(16%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Best PHEV

Chris Doan, 07/03/2017

2017 Kia Optima Hybrid EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)

I've owned BMW, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz in the lasts 10 years and have been shopping around for a PHEV for months. I was considering and test driving the Ford Fusion Energi, Chevy Volt, Totoyta Prius, Nissan Leaf, BMW i3, Huyndai Sonota Hybrid, Tesla Model S but finally traded in my Mercedes for a KIA Optima EX PHEV for its styling, infotaiment system, technologies, range, price/value …

Best Value Hybrid

Reginald Gayden, 04/16/2018

2017 Kia Optima Hybrid Premium 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)

Bought 2017 Optima Hybrid in November 17. It was the only Hybrid Optima on the lot out of dozens of gas ones. I had been comparing Accord, Camry, and Malibu Hybrids and read the Optima Hybrid got 46 mpg on the hwy. That was only 2 or 3 miles per gallon less than the best of them so I did some pricing. My choice was for the 26,800 premium with pretty standard features, good radio with …

On first name basis with device department

Shannon Gudvangen, 01/25/2020

2017 Kia Optima Hybrid EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)

My car has spent more time at the dealership than at home. I had to bring it in before it even hit 200 miles. Now it's at 60,000 miles and it's been at the dealership more than 20 times and the manager of the service department knows my name when I walk in the door. One thing after another went out with the hybrid system. Apparently it has 4 air flaps and all if them had to be …

Luxury hybrid sedan

Alan W, 03/11/2018

2018 Kia Optima Hybrid Premium 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)

I couldn't imagine a better hybrid. I tried the Camry hybrid, didn't like the CVT (continuous variable transmission), which was noisy when pushed even slightly. It was pricey but not as well equipped as the top of the line Optima Hybrid. I bought it with the technology package, which added $5K to the price but was well worth it for the safety features. I kept my last car, an …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid, so we've included reviews for other years of the Optima Hybrid since its last redesign.

See all 13 reviews of the Kia Optima Hybrid

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2018 Optima Hybrid Highlights

Trim:

Premium

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$25,995
Engine Type	Hybrid
Combined MPG	42 MPG
Cost to Drive	$92/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Optima Hybrid models:

Blind-Spot Detection System: Illuminates a light on either of the Optima's side mirrors when a vehicle enters its blind spot.
Autonomous Emergency Braking: Sounds a warning if the Optima detects an imminent front collision. Brakes automatically engage to lessen or mitigate the impact.
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: Sounds a warning if a vehicle is approaching the Optima from the side while it is in reverse.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover9.8%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good