Trim Report

Kia Optima SE2012

Includes:OPTIMA|SE
$4,500
Starting From
39
Active Listings
—
Avg Mileage

Sourced from 39 dealer listings in the latest market snapshot as of

Min $4,500
Max $21,528
From $4,500
Fresh

SE Market Overview

All Trims Combined
From$1,080
$1K–$15K
62 listings131,452 avg miles
EX
From$1,000
425 listings|$1K–$24K
LX
From$525
988 listings|$525–$21K
Premium
From$6,445
24 listings|$6K–$22K
S
From$6,959
168 listings|$7K–$25K
SE
From$4,500
39 listings|$5K–$22K
SX
From$1,900
201 listings|$2K–$23K

2012 Kia Optima SE Pricing

Price Trend

Building price history...

Only 39 available nationwide.

Limited supply means limited chances. Get notified the moment new ones appear.

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Where to Find Kia Optima SE

Location data for all 2012 Kia Optima trims combined

37States

Florida has the most inventory at 13%, with options spread across 37 states. Willing to ship? Your selection opens up significantly.

Kia Optima Safety & Reliability

Safety data for all 2012 Kia Optima trims

Elevated

Federal safety data shows 1 recalls and 916 complaints for the 2012 Kia Optima, a elevated safety profile overall. Check the known issues section below for the most common problem areas.

1
Recalls
916
Complaints
25
Crashes
76
Fires
Recall Findings
22V5600002022-01-08
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Optima vehicles. The right and left headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can result in the plates detaching in the event of a side curtain air bag deployment.

A plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

Of 916 issues reported over 1 model years, engine problems are the most common for the 2012 Kia Optima. A pre-purchase inspection should focus here first.

01Engine270
02Steering146
03Unknown Or Other45
04Service Brakes, Hydraulic25
05Power Train22
916 total across 1 model years (2012–2012)Full data at NHTSA.gov
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Kia Optima Fuel Economy

EPA fuel economy data for all 2012 Kia Optima trims

26–36mpg combined
·
22-34city
·
33-38hwy
·
$1,900-$2,600/yr

The 2012 Kia Optima delivers 26 to 36 MPG combined across 4 powertrain combinations. If fuel cost matters to you, pay attention to engine and drivetrain. The spread is significant.

By Trim
Optima Hybrid - Automatic 6-spd
36mpg
2.4L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive
34 city38 hwy~$1,900/yr-1/10 Poor
Optima - Automatic 6-spd
27mpg
2.4L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive
24 city34 hwy~$2,500/yr-1/10 Poor
Optima - Manual 6-spd
27mpg
2.4L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive
24 city34 hwy~$2,500/yr-1/10 Poor
Optima - Automatic 6-spd
26mpg
2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
22 city33 hwy~$2,600/yr-1/10 Poor

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

SE Trim Buyer Questions

What to know about the 2012 Kia Optima SE

How does the SE compare to other Kia Optima trims?

The SE occupies a distinct position in the Kia Optima range. See how it stacks up on the 2012 overview page.

What should I know about maintaining the 2012 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 2012 model year has 1 recall on record. The most-reported issue area is engine. Check the 2012 Kia Optima page for the full breakdown.

What are the best years for the Kia Optima SE?

For the SE, look at the price-to-mileage ratio across model years. Later model years before a redesign tend to be the most refined version of the platform. See the Kia Optima buyer's guide.

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