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2019 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid

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Make
Kia
Model
Optima Plug-In Hybrid
Year
2019
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OEM Exterior
OEM Exterior
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Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

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Select a Trim
2019 EX 4dr Sedan
most popular
Price:   -  From $35,390

Overview

In the ever-growing world of the plug-in hybrid, Kia stands tall among a crowded group. The 2019 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid (or PHEV) is sold as a single-trim edition that can function on electricity alone, and it stands on top as the Optima lineup's most expensive trim. However, the Optima PHEV is exceptionally well equipped with standard tech and is quickly gaining a positive reputation for being one of the more practical plug-in hybrids on the market.

What's New for 2019

The 2019 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid enters 2019 as a carryover from last year with a few changes to the package offerings.

Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid

Choosing Your Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid

Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid

Kia makes the decision of choosing a 2019 Kia Optima PHEV quite simple, as there is only one trim: the EX. The Optima Plug-In Hybrid EX starts at $36,210, including the $920 destination charge. It receives its power from a full parallel hybrid system that includes a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine, a 50-kilowatt electric motor, and a 9.8-kilowatt-hour lithium polymer battery. Together, the hybrid generates a total of 202 horsepower and 276 pound-feet of torque. The gasoline engine belts out 154 of those ponies, while the electric motor generates 66 horsepower. This powerplant is paired to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Optima PHEV offers an EPA-estimated 29 miles of electric-only range. Fuel economy comes out to 103 miles per gallon equivalent combined, or 40 mpg combined in gasoline-only mode. Combined, the total range rating is an impressive 610 miles.

The 2019 Kia Optima PHEV offers buyers the option of three electric motor drive modes: All-Electric, Hybrid, and Charging. The charging mode allows owners to charge the electric motor while operating the gasoline engine. Being a PHEV, consumers can also utilize the level two (240-volt) charging, which can completely charge the electric motor battery in 2.7 hours. Consumers using the standard level one (120-volt) charging system have to wait nine hours for a full charge.

The 2019 Kia Optima PHEV EX rides on standard 17-inch alloy wheels and is well equipped with standard features that include leather heated front seats, a 12-way power driver seat with four-way lumbar support, a leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel, a tilt and telescoping steering column, dual-zone automatic climate control, LED daytime running lights, automatic headlights, push-button start, and a rear-console USB and 12-volt outlet. Standard safety features include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane change assist, and a reverse parking warning sensor.

Kia’s voice-command UVO infotainment system is housed on an eight-inch touchscreen and includes navigation and a rearview camera. This system features SiriusXM Traffic and HD Radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, Bluetooth connectivity, aux and USB input jacks, and a 10-speaker Harmon Kardon premium surround-sound audio system.

For consumers who miss the natural sound of a gasoline-powered engine, the PHEV features a Virtual Engine Sound System that mimics the sound of a gasoline engine while running on the electric motor. This system actually serves as a safety device, as it’s intended to alert pedestrians and other drivers.

There's a $5,000 EX Technology Package that can spice up the Optima PHEV. This package installs a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, a 10-way power passenger seat, LED interior lighting, LED projector beam headlights, a high beam assist system, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning.

CarsDirect Tip

Configuring a 2019 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid is incredibly simple. However, if a plug-in hybrid isn't on your wish list, the standard Kia Optima Hybrid is nearly $7,000 cheaper and offers nearly the same options.

Get your price on a Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid »

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Automotive Editor
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Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Automotive Editor

Styling updates. The 2019 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid rolls into showrooms with a new look thanks to a refresh. This update includes a restyled bumper with new fog light and center air vent design, a reworked rear bumper, and updated wheel options. Sure, the changes are subtle on the outside, but they keep things fresh on an already stylish sedan.

Inside, the Optima Plug-In Hybrid remains mostly unchanged, but there's a new UVO infotainment system with easier-to-navigate menus and standard smartphone integration.

Front seat riders have all the fun. The Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid gets serious points for front seat comfort. Not only does it offer at least eight-way power adjustable front seats, but there's also loads of room, the perfect amount of side bolstering, and plenty of padding for your backside. To up the comfort, buyers can opt for heated and cooled front thrones.

With wide-opening rear doors, getting access to the rear seats is easy, but that's about where the fun ends. Once you’re in the back seat, the Optima’s sloping rear roofline gobbles up head room, leaving just 37.8 inches of space. This means anyone near 6 feet tall will get an up close and personal introduction to the headliner.


Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid

Thrifty drive for a family vacation, but pack lightly. The Optima Plug-In Hybrid delivers a combined 202 horsepower and 276 pound-feet of torque between its 140-hp 2.0-liter gasoline engine and 66-hp electric motor. This setup offers decent straight-line performance, but its real benefit is thriftiness with its EPA-estimated 29 miles of electric-only range, 103 miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent rating (MPGe), and 40 mpg combined rating in hybrid mode.

With that great fuel economy, the Optima Plug-In Hybrid may seem like a great option for a road trip. Sure, it'll get you there efficiently, but its 9.8-kilowatt-hour battery pack eats up six cubic feet of cargo room when compared to the standard mode, leaving just 9.9 cubes of space in the trunk. You’d better pack lightly.

All the technology, but safety costs. The Optima Plug-In Hybrid has loads of standard tech, including the UVO infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, power front seats, a heated steering wheel, and much more.

Despite all those desirable standard tech features, it turns a blind eye to advanced safety tech. The standard Optima forgoes many of the tech goodies the Plug-In Hybrid model has, but it comes standard with life-saving automatic emergency braking. The Optima Plug-In Hybrid model, which comes in only the EX trim, packages this important feature in its $5,000 EX Technology Package.

With this package in place, though, the 2019 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid is an IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus with its “Good” ratings in all its crash tests, a “Superior” front-collision-avoidance test, and “Good” headlight results.

Final thoughts. The 2019 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid combines incredible style, safety, and thriftiness in one relatively inexpensive package. It would be nice to see some trim options like in the Chevrolet Bolt or Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid.

If you plan on doing a lot of road trips and need more luggage room, the Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid has a whopping 15.5 cubic feet. Want more EV range? The Chevy Volt has up to a 53-mile range before its backup engine kicks in to finish your drive.

Check prices for the 2019 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid »

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Available
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L I-4 / 154 HP / 140 ft.lbs.
Transmission
6-spd Sportmatic w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
Not Available
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L I-4 / 154 HP / 140 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
Not Available
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Fuel Tank
14.5 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$55
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
9.9 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
105 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
191.1 "
Exterior Width
73.2 "
Exterior Height
57.5 "
Front Headroom
39.8 "
Rear Headroom
37.8 "
Front Legroom
45.5 "
Rear Legroom
35.6 "
Front Shoulder Room
58.1 "
Rear Shoulder Room
56.4 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,788 Lbs.
Wheel Base
110 "
Turning Radius
17.9 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
17.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Pearlcoat Monotone / Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote Heated
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Black W/chrome Surround
Rear Spoiler
Exhaust
Stainless Steel
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Leather
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
(8-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
6-way / (8-way Power)
Front Armrests
(8-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Center
Rear Seats
Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Siriusxm Am/fm/hd/satellite, Clock, Seek-scan
Speakers
10 Harman/kardon
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Express Open/close
Rearview Mirror
Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Driver And Passenger
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
3
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Driver
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Forward Collision Mitigation / Forward Collision-avoidance Assist (fca) Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Blind-spot Collision Warning Blind Spot
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Departure Warning System (ldws) Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Front Pedestrian Detection Prevention
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
High Beam Assist (hba) Auto High-beam
Adaptive Headlights
Dynamic Bending Light (dbl) Directionally Adaptive
Parking Sensors
Parking Distance Warning Rear
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Major Components Months
120 Months / 100,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / 100,000 Miles
Accessories Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles

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