2008 Kia Optima Trims and Specs

Kia's entry in the luxury mid-sized sedan segment, the 2008 Kia Optima LX is the base trim for this front-wheel drive car. Under the hood rests a 2.4-liter, 162-hp DOHC I4 that achieves aroudn 24/34 mpg. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard, with the option to add a 5-speed automatic with Sport Shift. 16-inch wheels with all-season tires provide road grip. Safety equipment includes 4-wheel disc brakes, dual-stage front, side impact, and side curtain airbags for both rows, head restraints for the front seat, and a tire monitor. ABS brakes, and traction and stability control cost extra.

Well appointed for an economy luxury car, the 2008 Optima LX comes standard with power windows, locks, and mirrors. Heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering, intermittent wipers, a tachometer, two front power outlets, front and rear cupholders, and a 6-speaker CD system are also included. New this year is an MP3 audio input jack. When equipped with the automatic transmission, the 2008 Optima LX features remote entry and wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls. Rear seats split-fold 60/40 and feature a trunk pass-through. The trunk holds 14.8 cubic feet of cargo and comes with a net and tie-downs. Available options include a rear spoiler, and an appearance package that adds 17-inch alloy wheels, black headlamp housing and a black grile, leather trim, a trip computer, and foglights.

Moving up to the 2008 Kia Optima LX V6 gets you a more powerful 2.7-liter, 185-hp DOHC V6 engine matched with a 5-speed shiftable automatic. It rates 182 ft-lbs of torque at 4000 RPM and reduces fuel economy to around 21/31 mpg. Otherwise, the front-wheel drive 2008 Optima LX V6 is much like the automatic four-cylinder version. Power locks, windows, and mirrors, wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, a CD/MP3 player with audio input jack, intermittent wipers, tilt and telescopic steering, remote entry, and a tachometer are all standard. There are four cupholders, (two front, two back,), two 12V power outlets, and 60/40s split-folding rear seats. Trunk capacity tops out at 14.8 cubic feet, with a cargo light, net, and tie-downs providing extra convenience.

Riding on a four-wheel independent suspension, the 2008 Optima LX V6 upgrades to 16-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, though 17-inch alloys are offered in an Appearance Package, along with a blacked-out grille, black headlamp housing, foglights, a trip computer, and leather steering wheel trim. Dual-stage front airbags, side impact, and side curtain bags for both rows are standard, as are 4-wheel disc brakes, halogen headlamps, and a tire monitor. Electronic brakeforce distribution, 4-wheel ABS brakes, and traction and stability control are optional. Also available are carpeted floor mats and a rear spoiler.

Packed with more features than the LX, the 2008 Kia Optima EX offers luxury at an affordable price. The mid-sized front-wheel drive sedan seats four comfortably, with nearly 38 inches of rear legroom. Seats split-fold 60/40 onto a 14.8 cubic foot trunk that features tie-downs, a light, and a net. Engine power is supplied by a 2.4-liter, 162-hp DOHC I4 and 5-speed automatic with Sportshift. Alloy wheels replace the steel ones on the LX and ride on 16-inch rims, with the option to upgrade to 17-inch wheels.

Upgrades in the 2008 Optima EX include an 8-way power driver's seat, a trip computer, wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, heated mirrors, garage remote, automatic climate control, remote entry, and dual exhaust pipes. Leather upholstery and trim for the steering wheel and shifter add the upscale feel of more expensive cars. Full power features, a tachometer, intermittent wipers, and a CD player with new MP3 audio input jack are already standard.

In terms of safety, the 2008 Optima EX offers an auto-dimming rearview mirror, foglights, and automatic headlights in addition to the dual front, side impact, and side curtain airbags, tire monitor, and head restraints. The 4-wheel disc brakes can be supplemente by 4-wheel ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution. Traction and stability control are also available. EX-only options include a sunroof, 6-CD player, heated seats, power-adjustable pedals, and a 4-way power passenger seat. An appearance package adds a black grille and headlamp housing, and a rear spoiler is also optional.

A 2.7-liter, 24-valve DOHC V6 engine represents the only difference between the 2008 Kia Optima EX and the EX V6. This engine delivers 185-hp, with fuel economy ratings around 21/31 mpg. A 5-speed shiftable automatic is the only transmission. The front-wheel drive, mid-sized luxury sedan offers up luxury in the form of leather upholstery and trim, an 8-way power passenger seat, a trip computer, wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls for the 6-speaker CD/MP3 player, remote entry, heated mirrors, and a garage remote. Other upgrades include automatic climate control, foglights, and automatic headlights.

The 2008 Optima EX V6 earns five stars in crash tests when equipped with the optional ABS brakes and both stability and traction control. Six standard airbags include dual-stage front, side impact, and side curtain airbags for both rows. A tire monitor and halogen lamps are also standard. Other EX V6 features include a full power setup, intermittent wipers, front and rear cupholders, two 12-volt front power outlets, a tachometer, a security system, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats. The spacious trunk holds nearly 15 cubic feet of cargo and comes with tie-downs and a net. 16-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires keep the 2008 Optima EX V6 on the road, but 17-inch wheels are available in an appearance package that also adds a black grille and headlamp housing, and chrome interior accents.

Other options offered only with the EX include a sunroof, a 6-CD changer, 4-way power passenger seat, power-adjustable pedals, and heated seats. To dress up the exterior a bit, you can also add a rear spoiler.