The 2018 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid, or PHEV, adds a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack that can store up to 29 miles of all-electric range to one of our top picks for a midsize sedan. This generation of Optima stands out for its potent blend of features, warranty and price, and the Optima Plug-In Hybrid is ideal for commuters who can charge overnight or at the office, or even drivers who simply need their car for short commutes and trips in and around town.
With only one trim to choose from, the EX, buying a 2018 Optima Plug-In Hybrid largely comes down to a simple choice of which color you want. Even with a lone trim level, the Optima Plug-In Hybrid is loaded with standard features, reinforcing Kia's philosophy of offering a lot for less. The EX includes, among other features, leather upholstery, a navigation system and an 8-inch display, a rearview camera, heated seats, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a premium Harman Kardon sound system.
An optional Technology package is available for buyers seeking additional creature comforts. Its bundled features include ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and a sunroof as well as several collision avoidance systems, such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and even adaptive "bending" headlights. Although it packs a lot of features, this package isn't exactly cheap, and we recommend it only for those who crave the most peace of mind and pleasure of gadgetry as is available.
The 2018 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid stacks up well against its competition, largely because it doesn't have much. Though it's not the only plug-in hybrid on the market, it's among the largest and most versatile. Ford offers a plug-in version of its Fusion sedan, but it has just 20 miles of electric range. The Toyota Prius Prime is a plug-in version of the popular hybrid hatchback, and its cargo versatility is hard to beat, but it's hard to consider it big enough for hardcore family duty. The same could be said for the Chevrolet Volt, which is the champion among plug-in hybrids of electric-only miles (about 50 miles in many cases) but has a rear seat that is simply too small for a grown or growing family of five, for example.
Still, the Optima PHEV has plenty to earn our recommendation. That's especially true if you can keep your mileage within the electric limits. A full recharge requires just three hours on a 240-volt charge, and indeed, it could be a long time until you'd need to visit a station to fuel up the Optima's gasoline engine. When you're ready to explore the electric possibilities of the 2018 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid, let Edmunds be your guide to the car that's right for you.
2018 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid Overview
The 2018 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid is offered in the following submodels: Sedan. Available styles include EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A). Optima Plug-In Hybrid models are available with a 0-liter hybrid engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The 2018 Optima Plug-In Hybrid comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 6-speed shiftable automatic. The 2018 Optima Plug-In Hybrid comes with a 5 yr./ 60000 mi. basic warranty, a 5 yr./ 60000 mi. roadside warranty, and a 10 yr./ 100000 mi. powertrain warranty.
What should I pay for a new 2018 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid?
2018 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)
The 2018 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $36105. The average price paid for a new 2018 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A) is trending $4370.5 below the manufacturer's MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $4370.5 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is $31734.5.
The average savings for the 2018 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A) is 12.1% below the MSRP.
We are showing 4 EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A) 2018 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A) vehicle(s) available in the Ashburn area.
Is the 2018 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid a good car? Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2018 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2018 Optima Plug-In Hybrid featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process All of our reviews are written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What do people think of the 2018 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid? Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2018 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2018 Optima Plug-In Hybrid a 5 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2018 Optima Plug-In Hybrid.
Vehicle EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A)
Review I had own a Kia Forte before and I enjoyed the car, it was the EX with four doors and it's was pretty simple and good mileage, the Kia Optima Plug In hybrid-Everything is pretty simple to use, it is alot heavier than the Forte, better gas mileage because of hybrid and plugin, the inside interior (I have the technology package) everything is good, from the sunroof, leather, the 10 speaker sound system is really good-dont believe me just go to a dealership and test out the sound, I had a after market speakers in my forte, I do miss my subwoofer extra kick but the optima sound makes it pretty good overall, smaller trunk space is little disheartening but everything else with the car is amazing, my friend has a Camry and I can definitely say this kia feels alot more luxorious and I like the handling better the one thing about the camry is that you can sit in the middle in the backseat more naturally but I don't usually have five people riding with me
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What options are available on the 2018 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid?
Available Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid 2018 Submodel Types: Sedan
Available Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid 2018 Trims: EX
Exterior Colors: Aluminum Silver, Aurora Black Pearl, Gravity Blue, Snow White Pearl
Interior Colors: Black leather, Gray leather
Popular Features: Alarm, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Auto Climate Control, Aux Audio Inputs, Back-up camera, Bluetooth, Electronic Folding Mirrors, Heated seats, Keyless Entry/Start, Leather Seats, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Navigation, Post-collision safety system, Power Driver Seat, Rear Bench Seats, Stability Control, Tire Pressure Warning, Trip Computer, USB Inputs, Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Monitoring, Cooled Seats, Lane Departure Warning, Parking sensors, Pre-collision safety system, Sunroof/Moonroof, Upgraded Headlights
Engine/Mechanics: 4 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC
Fuel Types: regular unleaded
Drivetrains: front wheel drive
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
