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2008 Kia Optima Sedan

4dr Sdn I4 Man LX

Starting at $9,400 | Starting at 21 MPG City - 31 MPG Highway

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$9,400 average Retail
$16,755 original MSRP

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Overview
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Safety
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Printable Version

2008 Kia Optima Sedan

Summary

Provided by NADAguides.com

The 2008 Kia Optima is a four-door five-passenger family Sedan offered in LX and EX trim levels. Under the hood, the Optima boasts engines ranging from a 162 horsepower 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder to a 185 horsepower 2.7-liter V6. Buyers have the choice between automatic or manual transmission depending on the model. Luxury amenities include air conditioning, power controls, AM/FM/CD audio, heated exterior mirrors and intermittent wipers. Safety features include front/side-body/side-head airbags and child safety rear door locks. The Optima seats up to five.

Benefits of Driving a 2008 Kia Optima Sedan

The Optima is the only car in its class with standard full-length side curtain air bags, active headrests, and a tire pressure monitoring system, according to Kia, and the brand also has 'America's leading warranty,' which brings five years or 60,000 miles of roadside assistance and bumper-to-bumper coverage and ten years or 100,000 miles of powertrain coverage. The Optima also has a roomier interior than most of its competitors, with its interior volume greater than that of the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, or Nissan Altima.

What's new for 2008?

Changes for the 2008 Kia Optima are minimal. The audio system no longer has a cassette player and instead comes with an iPod input jack. The EX trim now includes leather seat trim instead of cloth.

Model Strengths

Ride and handling
fuel economy
standard safety features.

Model Review

The 2008 Kia Optima's base engine is a 2.4L four-cylinder engine with CVVT variable valve timing, making 162 horsepower. The optional 2.7L V6 also incorporates variable valve timing and produces 185 horsepower. The base LX model with the four-cylinder engine is available with a five-speed manual transmission or five-speed automatic transmission, while the EX four-cylinder model and both the LX and EX V6 is only available with the automatic.

Printable Version

2008 Kia Optima Sedan

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2008 Kia Optima: What's New

Source: The Car Connection

Redesigned in 2006, the mid-size, front-wheel-drive Optima sedan carries through into 2008 with both four- and six-cylinder models, a good-sized 14.8 cubic foot trunk, and one of the roomiest cabins in its segment.

The standard 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine produces 161 horsepower while the optional 2.7-liter V-6 is good for 185. A five-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic manual shift capability is standard on most Optima models.

An improved, smoother-shifting five-speed manual transmission is standard on the base LX four-cylinder model, which also comes standard with cruise control, keyless entry and alarm, manual tilt and telescopic steering column, audio system controls on the steering wheel, and floor mats. The LX V-6 model adds dual exhaust outlets and alloy wheels.

Top-of-the-line EX models (four-cylinder and V-6 versions) feature alloy wheels, fog lights, solar glass, eight-way power adjustable driver's seat, automatic temperature control, auto-dimming rear view mirror with Homelink, leather-wrapped steering wheel, trip computer, metal door scuff plates, chrome accent outside door handles, and an Infinity AM/FM/six-disc CD/MP3 premium audio system; the EX V-6 adds dual exhaust outlets.

Standard safety equipment includes front and front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, active front headrests and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with Brake Assist, stability and traction control, and Brake Assist are available as a packaged option.

For 2008, the Optima gets minimal changes. Outside mirrors get black housings; Goodyear tires are standard, replacing Michelins; and the audio system loses its cassette player and gains an iPod jack.

Printable Version

2008 Kia Optima Sedan

Safety Ratings What do the Safety Ratings mean? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) performs independent crash testing of new vehicles and then assigns them a score based on their performance. The overall crash test rating is based on how a vehicle performs in the following tests: Driver Crash Grade: Measures the chance of a serious injury to a crash test dummy that is placed in a driver's seat and driven into a fixed barrier at 35 MPH. A five-star rating means there is 10 percent or less chance of injury. Passenger Crash Grade: Similar to the driver crash grade, only now the focus is on the passenger. Rollover Resistance: Simulates an emergency lane change to measure the likelihood of a vehicle rolling over. A five-star rating means there is 10 percent or less risk of rollover. Side Impact Crash Test - Front: Focuses on the front side of a vehicle. It simulates crashes that can occur in intersections by striking a 3,015-pound weight against the side of a vehicle at 38.5 MPH. A five-star rating means there is 5 percent or less chance of injury. Side Impact Crash Test - Rear: Similar to the front side impact test only now the focus is on the rear passenger.
Driver Crash Grade	No consumer rating Rate & Review
Passenger Crash Grade	No consumer rating Rate & Review
Rollover Resistance	No consumer rating Rate & Review
Side Impact Crash Test - Front	No consumer rating Rate & Review
Side Impact Crash Test - Rear	No consumer rating Rate & Review

Safety Features & Equipment

Braking & Traction
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	Std

Passenger Restraint
Driver Air Bag	Std
Passenger Air Bag	Std
Side Air Bag	Std
Side Head Air Bag	Std
Rear Head side Air Bag	Std
Child Safety Locks	Std

Road Visibility
Intermittent Wipers	Std
Variable Inter. Wipers	Std

Printable Version

2008 Kia Optima Sedan

Original Warranty Original Warranty An original warranty is the warranty associated with a vehicle when it is brand new. In addition to the original warranty, select items, like tires, are typically covered by respective manufacturers. Also, an act of Federal law sometimes provides protection for certain components, like emissions equipment. The original warranty is often broken down into multiple sections, including: Basic Warranty: Typically covers everything except for parts that wear out through normal use of the vehicle. Examples of non-covered items are brake pads, wiper blades and filters. Drivetrain Warranty: This warranty covers items the basic warranty does not protect. Wear and tear items such as hoses will not be covered, but key items like the engine, transmission, drive axles and driveshaft often will be. Roadside Assistance: The level of service differs greatly with this warranty, but many manufacturers offer a toll-free number that helps provide assistance in case you run out of gas, get a flat tire or lock your keys in the car. Corrosion Warranty: This warranty focuses on protecting you from holes caused by rust or corrosion in your vehicle's sheet metal. Please check the owner's manual, visit a local dealership or look at the manufacturer's website to learn more about the specifics of the warranties that apply to a vehicle.	Miles	Months
Basic	60,000	60
Drivetrain	100,000	120
Corrosion	100,000	60
Roadside Assistance	60,000	60

Kia Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Certified Pre-Owned Warranty To be eligible for Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) status, vehicles generally must be recent models with relatively low mileage. CPO vehicles must also pass a detailed inspection, outlined by the manufacturer, which is measured by the number of inspected points. Warranty coverage can vary from one manufacturer to the next. While most certified pre-owned programs transfer and extend the existing new car warranty terms, others offer a warranty that simply represents an additional year and mileage value. Always check with the manufacturer for the specific warranties they offer. Common features and benefits of Certified Pre-Owned warranties include: Age/Mileage Eligibility To even be considered for certification, a car must be a recent model year and have limited mileage. The exact requirements are established by individual manufacturers. Lease Term Certified Some manufacturers offer certified pre-owned cars for lease. The length of the lease is often shorter than a new car lease, but it will cost you less. Point Inspection These inspections entail a comprehensive vehicle test to ensure that all parts are in excellent working order. The point inspection list is simply a numbered list of exactly what parts of the car are examined. While many inspections range from a 70- to 150-point checklist, most are very similar and are performed using strict guidelines. Ask your local dealer about specific details. Return/Exchange Program Some manufacturers offer a very limited return or exchange period. Find out if you will get the sales tax and licensing/registration fees back should you return or exchange the car. Roadside Assistance Most certified pre-owned programs offer free roadside service in case your car breaks down while still under warranty. Special Financing Reduced-rate loans are available through many certified pre-owned programs. Manufacturer-backed inspections and warranties help eliminate the risks involved with buying pre-owned, so buyers who qualify can take advantage of the great offers. Transferable Warranty When a new car warranty transfers with the certification of the car and remains eligible for the next owner, it is known as a transferable warranty. Once the original transferable warranty expires, an extended warranty takes effect. Warranty Deductible This is the amount for which you are responsible when repair work is performed under the warranty. Some manufacturers require a deductible while others don't, so always ask.
120-months/100,000-mile Powertrain warranty from original in-service date
Age/Mileage Eligibility	up to 5 model years old w/ less than 60,000 miles
Lease Term Certified	No
Point Inspection	150
Return/Exchange Program	No
Roadside Assistance	10-Year/Unlimited Mileage from In-Service Date
Transferrable Warranty	Yes
Warranty Deductible	$50