2001 Kia Optima Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity
Fuel tank capacity
17.2gal · 65 L
The 2001 Kia Optima has a fuel tank capacity of 17.2 gallons (65 liters) on every trim.
A full tank is good for roughly 396–447 highway miles or 292–327 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
17.2 gal · Smaller than 63% of 2001 models we list.
- By trim
- Gas cap & parts
- Fuel essentials
- Miles per tank
- Fill-up cost
- Other years
- Compared
- Fuel recalls
- Pump & gauge parts
- FAQ
2001 Kia Optima fuel tank capacity by trim
What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table
- Engine
- no difference
All 6 trims
MPG and range are city / highway.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Tank | MPG city / hwy | Range city / hwy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LX 4dr Sedan 2.4L 4cyl 4A · FWD MPG 18 / 24Range 310 / 413 mi | 2.4L 4cyl 4A | FWD | 17.2 gal65 L | 18 / 24 | 310 / 413 mi | |
| LX 4dr Sedan 2.4L 4cyl 5M · FWD MPG 19 / 26Range 327 / 447 mi | 2.4L 4cyl 5M | FWD | 17.2 gal65 L | 19 / 26 | 327 / 447 mi | |
| LX V6 4dr Sedan 2.5L 6cyl 4A · FWD MPG 17 / 23Range 292 / 396 mi | 2.5L 6cyl 4A | FWD | 17.2 gal65 L | 17 / 23 | 292 / 396 mi | |
| SE 4dr Sedan 2.4L 4cyl 4A · FWD MPG 18 / 24Range 310 / 413 mi | 2.4L 4cyl 4A | FWD | 17.2 gal65 L | 18 / 24 | 310 / 413 mi | |
| SE 4dr Sedan 2.4L 4cyl 5M · FWD MPG 19 / 26Range 327 / 447 mi | 2.4L 4cyl 5M | FWD | 17.2 gal65 L | 19 / 26 | 327 / 447 mi | |
| SE V6 4dr Sedan 2.5L 6cyl 4A · FWD MPG 17 / 23Range 292 / 396 mi | 2.5L 6cyl 4A | FWD | 17.2 gal65 L | 17 / 23 | 292 / 396 mi | |
| No trim matches all of these filters. | ||||||
Tank figures are the manufacturer's rated capacity, sorted smallest tank first. Range is tank size times EPA city or highway MPG.
How far a 2001 Kia Optima goes on a tank
Gallons left and the distance they cover at each mark on the fuel gauge, at EPA city and highway mileage. At the combined rating of 20 MPG, a full 17.2-gallon tank covers about 344 miles.
| Gauge | Gallons | Highway miles | City miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 17.2 | 413 | 310 |
| 3/4 | 12.9 | 310 | 232 |
| 1/2 | 8.6 | 206 | 155 |
| 1/4 | 4.3 | 103 | 77 |
| 1/8 | 2.2 | 52 | 39 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 750 gallons, roughly 44 full tanks.
Fuel gauges aren't perfectly linear and the low-fuel light comes on with a few gallons still in the tank, so plan your stop before the last eighth.
- EPA combined
- 19–21 MPG
- Tailpipe CO2
- 423–468 g/mi
- Source
- EPA ratings
What it costs to fill up a 2001 Kia Optima
$73.44 to fill the 17.2-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.
| Tank | Fuel | US avg / gal | From empty | From 1/4 tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17.2 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $73.44 | $55.08 |
By region, 17.2-gallon tank
| Region | Regular / gal | Fill from empty |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast | $4.02 | $69.14 |
| Midwest | $4.27 | $73.44 |
| Gulf CoastLowest | $3.70 | $63.64 |
| Rocky Mountain | $4.46 | $76.71 |
| West Coast | $5.42 | $93.22 |
| CaliforniaHighest | $5.89 | $101.31 |
Prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration retail averages for the week of October 26, 2026. This week's prices by state and city.
Your own price
- 17.2-gallon tank$73.44
- A year of driving (15,000 mi)$3,202
Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.
Optima tank size in other years
2001 is the first Optima model year we list.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 Optima | 16.4–17.2 gal | 508 mi |
| 2005 Optima | 17.2 gal | 482 mi |
| 2004 Optima | 17.2 gal | 464 mi |
| 2003 Optima | 17.2 gal | 464 mi |
| 2002 Optima | 17.2 gal | 447 mi |
| 2001 Optima | 17.2 gal | 447 mi |
2001 Kia Optima vs similar 2001 sedans
At 17.2 gallons, the Optima's largest tank ranks second of the seven 2001 sedans compared here. The Nissan Maxima carries the most (18.5 gal) and the Chevrolet Malibu the least (14.8 gal).
| 2001 model | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan Maxima | 18.5 gal | 463 mi |
| Kia Optima | 17.2 gal | 447 mi |
| Hyundai Sonata | 17.2 gal | 464 mi |
| Mazda 626 | 16.9 gal | 490 mi |
| Mitsubishi Galant | 16.3 gal | 424 mi |
| Daewoo Leganza | 15.8 gal | 411 mi |
| Chevrolet Malibu | 14.8 gal | 385 mi |
Other 2001 sedans of a similar size, one model per brand.
2001 Kia Optima fuel system recalls
None of the 3 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2001 Kia Optima involve the fuel system.
2001 Kia Optima fuel pump and gauge parts
NHTSA lists no fuel-system recall for the 2001 Kia Optima, so a failed pump or gauge is a normal repair. These are the part numbers the makers list for it.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2001 Kia Optima?
The 2001 Kia Optima holds 17.2 gallons (65 liters) on every trim we list.
How many gallons and liters does the 2001 Kia Optima gas tank hold?
The 2001 Kia Optima tank holds 65 liters, or 17.2 gallons in US gallons.
How far can a 2001 Kia Optima go on a full tank?
About 396–447 miles on the highway and 292–327 miles in town, going from full to empty at its EPA ratings. Expect less in practice, since nobody runs the tank dry.
How many miles can a 2001 Kia Optima go on a quarter tank?
About 103 highway miles or 77 in town from the 17.2-gallon tank, which has roughly 4.3 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.
What gas does the 2001 Kia Optima take?
Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.
How much does it cost to fill up a 2001 Kia Optima?
At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 17.2-gallon tank from empty costs $73.44. It ranges from $63.64 in the Gulf Coast to $101.31 in California.
How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 2001 Kia Optima?
About 107 pounds for the 17.2-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Does the 2001 Kia Optima have a bigger gas tank than the Daewoo Leganza?
Yes. The 2001 Kia Optima holds up to 17.2 gallons; the 2001 Daewoo Leganza holds up to 15.8.
Has the 2001 Kia Optima had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?
No. None of the 3 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2001 Kia Optima involve the fuel system.
Sources
- Tank sizes: manufacturer-rated capacities from US-market specifications, checked against independent references. Updated October 2026.
- MPG and range: EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov). Range is tank size times EPA MPG.
- Fuel prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration, week of October 26, 2026 (this week's prices).
- Recalls: NHTSA recall database (Kia fuel system recalls).
Does your owner's manual say something different? Let us know and we'll fix it. More on how we check the numbers.