The 2008 Kia Optima is a dependable, comfortable mid-size sedan at a fair price, typically listing for under $5,000. The 2008 Malibu sells for a thousand bucks cheaper and typically outlasts the Optima, but you might have a hard time finding someone willing to part with their Chevy.
Is the 2008 Kia Optima a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – The only knock against the Optima is that there are better cars out there for the same price, or cheaper.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – One of the most comfortable budget mid-sizes on the market today.
- Reliability 7/10 – The car is dependable, but life expectancy comes up around 50,000 miles short of comparable mid-sizes.
- Safety 8/10 – Crash test scores are good, but you might have to search far and wide to find a model with anti-lock brakes equipped.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – The V6 model gets 20/28 miles to the gallon, city/highway, which is pretty good for a 2008 mid-size.
- Value 8/10 – There are better deals to be had if you shop around, but the Optima is priced fairly and cost of ownership is low.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2008 Kia Optima?
Consumer Reports named the Optima “a nice sedan at a low price.” They liked the fuel efficient i4 and V6 engines, the intuitive interior design, and the comfy rear seat. They note that it’s not very agile, even for its size, and the suspension system gives off a lot of squeaks and creaks.
Kelley Blue Book recommend the Optima as a capable, practical four door sedan with generous safety features for the price. They note that the car may be a bit bland to look at, though, and it’s no substitute for a full-size or an SUV if you have a large family.
Edmunds liked the Optima’s excellent crash test ratings and they found the car to be very generous when it came to standard features. They note that the V6 isn’t a strong enough upgrade over the i4 to be worth the extra gas, and they suggest that the car may have been styled by “the witness protection program.”
What Common Problems Does the 2008 Kia Optima Have?
The 2008 Kia Optima has generated just 139 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 54 of these are for the airbags, with drivers reporting the airbag warning lights staying on despite a 2012 recall addressing the clock spring assemblies.
Insufficient oil flow has resulted in premature engine failure, with one driver reporting the engine block cracking at just 29,000 miles. Rate of incidence is very low, and it’s likely that any Optima that’s passed 100,000 miles or so is in the clear, but all the same, this is an issue to look out for.
A handful of electrical complaints point to the ignition getting stuck and the battery draining while the car is parked.
The 2008 Optima has been recalled just 3 times in total, which is slightly below average for a vehicle this old.
How Long Will the 2008 Kia Optima Last?
The 2008 Optima is likely to last at least 200,000 miles before the first major repair. You might be able to hit 250,000 miles without issue, but 200,000 is the number to bet on when deciding whether it’s worth your hard earned money.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of just $346, with the most expensive common repairs being new oil pumps, starting at around $1,686, and exhaust mufflers at around $1,087.
Didn't have any problems till it was about 9 years old. Had to get another motor the mechanic said it just froze up.
I have been really hard on the vehicle. The handles and sun visors have broken off, but the engine and other mechanical systems have worked great for over a decade.
Yes the Kia Optima is reliable it get me to every place I need to go and I never broke down or anything like that
It has not had any major problems. The transmission and engine are in good working order and electrical system is reliable.
No the 2008 Kia optima does not have any problems. I get the oil changed when it is time to get done.
I think that I can honestly say that I've not had any major problems with my Kia 2008 Optima. I maintain a regular schedule of normal maintenance and oil changes and am very selective about the kind of fuel that I use.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the Optima is good for the model year, and especially for the price. CD players with 6 speakers come standard, and upgrades include MP3 players and Infinity speakers (that’s a brand name, not a number).
Safety technology in the Kia Optima is decent, but you might have to shop around for a model with anti-lock brakes, traction control, and brake assist.
Is the 2008 Kia Optima a Good Value?
The 2008 Kia Optima is a pretty good value. An entry-level LX typically lists for around $4,805, while a high-end EX usually goes for around $5,560. Combine these low sticker prices with a low cost of ownership, and you’ve got a pretty solid deal on your hands.
Optimas don’t boast the longevity of pricier Toyotas and Hondas, but these prices assume 135,000 miles on the odometer which, at the low end, leaves another 65,000 miles to go, which isn’t a bad deal for under five grand.
What are the Different Models of the 2008 Kia Optima?
The 2008 Kia Optima is available in just two trims, being the base LX and the high-end EX.
With the entry-level LX you’re getting:
- Manual air conditioning
- Cloth seating
- Heated mirrors
- CD player with 6 speakers
The top-of-the-line EX adds:
- Leather seating
- Fog lights
- Automatic air conditioning
- Leather wrapped shift knob
- 8-way power adjust driver seat
What Engines Come In the 2008 Kia Optima?
- The base engine, available in either trim, is a 2.4L inline-four delivering 162 horsepower and 164 torque. This is paired to a 5-speed manual transmission in front wheel drive, and it averages 21/32 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
- Also available in either trim is a 2.7L V6 delivering 185 horsepower and 182 lb.-ft. of torque at an average MPG of 20/28. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic in front wheel drive.
What Colors Does the 2008 Kia Optima Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2008 Kia Optima?
The 2008 Optima’s back seats are among the most comfortable in its class, and certainly at this price, stretching about 55 inches across and offering ample head and leg room. Suspension is firm without being rigid, and the cabin is surprisingly spacious for a mid-size.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2008 Kia Optima Have?
The 2008 Optima offers about 15 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk. This should be more than enough space for five or six medium suitcases, and should be able to pack everything you need for a two day road trip.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2008 Kia Optima was the 3rd model year in the car’s 2nd Generation, running from 2006 to 2010.
2006: The 2nd Gen Optima debuted with a stronger engine lineup and a new body design, no longer looking like a rebranded Hyundai Sonata.
2007: No major changes.
2008: Kia finally dropped the cassette player in 2008, swapping it out for an optional MP3 player.
2009: A new SX trim debuted in 2009, featuring sport-tuned suspension.
2010: The SX trim received a push-button start for 2010, but there were no other major changes.
How Does the 2008 Kia Optima Compare to the Competition?
The 2008 Chevy Malibu typically lists for a thousand dollars less than a Kia Optima, and this was a pretty good year for the nameplate, with a reliable powertrain and solid handling. While the Optima was designed to be a practical, affordable mid-size, the Malibu may be the better option for 2008.
On the other hand, the Optima is easily superior to that year’s Nissan Altima. The iconic Nissan mid-size sells for a couple grand more than an Optima, and was struggling with some serious transmission issues this year, resulting in a typical expectancy of just 150,000 miles.
The Optima is a good, budget-friendly mid-size sedan, but the Malibu had a banner year in 2008, and it’s simply a better car for less money.
Do Owners Recommend the 2008 Kia Optima?
Yes. Dependable. Plenty of room. Didn't have any mechanical problems until the car was about 9 years old.
Yes, the Kia optima is a reliable, comfortable, and sturdy vehicle. It has been in my family for 11 years and has over 200k miles on it.
Yes it is a good vehicle I never have car issues I had the same car for 2 years and never had any car problems I have had to put oil every now and then but that’s it.
Yes, it is reliable and gets decent gas mileage. It has not had any major repairs. It has back seats that fold down for more storage in the trunk.
Yes it is a good car. I have not have any major problems with it since I have had it. I keep its maintenance up.
Yes,it’s been in my family for more than ten years and hasn't had any major problems. I'm the kind of person that makes sure I have the oils changed and checked on a regular basis. I am also careful about the kind of fuel that I use to put into my automobile.
