Trim Report

Kia Optima SE2008

Includes:OPTIMA|SE
$9,600
Starting From
51
Active Listings
—
Avg Mileage

Sourced from 51 active dealer listings as of

Min $9,600
Max $18,999
From $9,600
Fresh

SE Market Overview

All Trims Combined
From$3,000
$3K–$8K
12 listings120,833 avg miles
EX
From$875
505 listings|$875–$22K
LX
From$550
1,129 listings|$550–$21K
Premium
From$7,000
30 listings|$7K–$21K
S
From$4,000
220 listings|$4K–$20K
SE
From$9,600
51 listings|$10K–$19K
SX
From$1,500
217 listings|$2K–$24K

2008 Kia Optima SE Pricing

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Where to Find Kia Optima SE

Location data for all 2008 Kia Optima trims combined

37States

The biggest cluster of inventory is in Florida (12%), but the remaining listings are spread across 36 other states nationwide.

Kia Optima Safety & Reliability

Safety data for all 2008 Kia Optima trims

High Concern

The 2008 Kia Optima's high safety profile includes 1 recall campaigns and 143 owner-reported complaints. Make recall verification part of your pre-purchase checklist.

1
Recalls
143
Complaints
20
Crashes
4
Fires
Recall Findings
11V1530002011-09-03
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2007. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SHIFT CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, CAUSING TENSION IN THE CABLE. IF PRESENT, THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE CABLE TO DETACH FROM THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY'S DOWEL PIN PREVENTING THE TRANSMISSION FROM BEING SHIFTED. THE SHIFT LEVER CAN THEN BE MOVED INTO THE PARK (P) POSITION WHILE THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION IS STILL IN THE LAST USED GEAR BEFORE DETACHMENT.

IF THE DRIVER LEAVES THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PARKING BRAKE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE VEHICLE CAN ROLL INJURE A PERSON IN ITS PATH OR CAUSE A CRASH.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

The 2008 Kia Optima has accumulated 143 NHTSA complaints over 1 years, with air bags leading the pack. Know what to look for before you buy.

01Air Bags44
02Power Train12
03Engine9
04Visibility/wiper7
05Unknown Or Other4
143 total across 1 model years (2008–2008)Full data at NHTSA.gov
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Kia Optima Fuel Economy

EPA fuel economy data for all 2008 Kia Optima trims

23–25mpg combined
·
20-21city
·
28-31hwy
·
$1,750-$1,900/yr

With 3 configurations tested, the 2008 Kia Optima ranges from 23 to 25 MPG combined. That's a 2 MPG gap that can add up to hundreds of dollars a year in fuel costs.

By Trim
Optima - Automatic 5-spd
25mpg
2.4L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive
21 city31 hwy~$1,750/yr-1/10 Poor
Optima - Manual 5-spd
25mpg
2.4L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive
21 city31 hwy~$1,750/yr-1/10 Poor
Optima - Automatic 5-spd
23mpg
2.7L 6-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive
20 city28 hwy~$1,900/yr-1/10 Poor

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Is the SE Worth It?

Common questions about the 2008 Kia Optima SE

How does the SE compare to other Kia Optima trims?

Every Kia Optima trim targets a different buyer. The 2008 model page compares all available trims side by side.

What should I know about maintaining the 2008 Kia Optima SE?

Maintenance costs for the SE align with the broader Kia Optima ownership experience, though trim-specific equipment can add to routine costs. The 2008 model year has 1 recall on record. The most-reported issue area is air bags. Check the 2008 Kia Optima page for the full breakdown.

What are the best years for the Kia Optima SE?

Check the price-to-mileage ratio for each Kia Optima SE year. The last year before a generation change is usually the most refined; the first year after is when resale drops fastest. The Kia Optima overview compares all years side by side.

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