Optima’s mechanical twin, the $26,545 Hyundai Sonata hybrid, and it also checks in at $560 more than the range-topping Optima SX.
Like the Sonata, the Optima hybrid employs a modified 2.4-liter inline-four engine producing 166 hp and 154 lb-ft of torque. It’s complemented by a 40-hp electric motor that draws power from and recharges a 30 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. Kia says the car can drive at up to 62 mph on electrical power alone; at other times, the motor and gasoline engine can work together for a combined output of 206 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque.