2008 Kia Optima Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity
Fuel tank capacity
16.4gal · 62 L
The 2008 Kia Optima has a fuel tank capacity of 16.4 gallons (62 liters) on every trim.
A full tank is good for roughly 459–508 highway miles or 328–344 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
16.4 gal · Smaller than 76% of 2008 models we list.
- By trim
- Gas cap & parts
- Fuel essentials
- Miles per tank
- Fill-up cost
- Other years
- Compared
- Fuel recalls
- Pump & gauge parts
- FAQ
2008 Kia Optima fuel tank capacity by trim
What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table
- Engine
- no difference
All 5 trims
MPG and range are city / highway.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Tank | MPG city / hwy | Range city / hwy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EX 4dr Sedan 2.4L 4cyl 5A · FWD MPG 21 / 31Range 344 / 508 mi | 2.4L 4cyl 5A | FWD | 16.4 gal62 L | 21 / 31 | 344 / 508 mi | |
| EX 4dr Sedan 2.7L 6cyl 5A · FWD MPG 20 / 28Range 328 / 459 mi | 2.7L 6cyl 5A | FWD | 16.4 gal62 L | 20 / 28 | 328 / 459 mi | |
| LX 4dr Sedan 2.4L 4cyl 5A · FWD MPG 21 / 31Range 344 / 508 mi | 2.4L 4cyl 5A | FWD | 16.4 gal62 L | 21 / 31 | 344 / 508 mi | |
| LX 4dr Sedan 2.4L 4cyl 5M · FWD MPG 21 / 31Range 344 / 508 mi | 2.4L 4cyl 5M | FWD | 16.4 gal62 L | 21 / 31 | 344 / 508 mi | |
| LX 4dr Sedan 2.7L 6cyl 5A · FWD MPG 20 / 28Range 328 / 459 mi | 2.7L 6cyl 5A | FWD | 16.4 gal62 L | 20 / 28 | 328 / 459 mi | |
| No trim matches all of these filters. | ||||||
Tank figures are the manufacturer's rated capacity, sorted smallest tank first. Range is tank size times EPA city or highway MPG.
How far a 2008 Kia Optima goes on a tank
Gallons left and the distance they cover at each mark on the fuel gauge, at EPA city and highway mileage. At the combined rating of 25 MPG, a full 16.4-gallon tank covers about 410 miles.
| Gauge | Gallons | Highway miles | City miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 16.4 | 508 | 344 |
| 3/4 | 12.3 | 381 | 258 |
| 1/2 | 8.2 | 254 | 172 |
| 1/4 | 4.1 | 127 | 86 |
| 1/8 | 2.1 | 64 | 43 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 600 gallons, roughly 37 full tanks.
In real driving: owners who log fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 27.6 MPG in the Optima (6 drivers), about 453 miles on a full 16.4-gallon tank.
Fuel gauges aren't perfectly linear and the low-fuel light comes on with a few gallons still in the tank, so plan your stop before the last eighth.
- EPA combined
- 23–25 MPG
- Tailpipe CO2
- 355–386 g/mi
- Source
- EPA ratings
What it costs to fill up a 2008 Kia Optima
$70.03 to fill the 16.4-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.
| Tank | Fuel | US avg / gal | From empty | From 1/4 tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16.4 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $70.03 | $52.52 |
By region, 16.4-gallon tank
| Region | Regular / gal | Fill from empty |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast | $4.02 | $65.93 |
| Midwest | $4.27 | $70.03 |
| Gulf CoastLowest | $3.70 | $60.68 |
| Rocky Mountain | $4.46 | $73.14 |
| West Coast | $5.42 | $88.89 |
| CaliforniaHighest | $5.89 | $96.60 |
Prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration retail averages for the week of October 26, 2026. This week's prices by state and city.
Your own price
- 16.4-gallon tank$70.03
- A year of driving (15,000 mi)$2,562
Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.
Optima tank size in other years
The 2008 Optima uses the same 16.4 gal tank as the 2007 model.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Optima | 17.2–18.5 gal | 688 mi |
| 2012 Optima | 17.2–18.5 gal | 688 mi |
| 2011 Optima | 17.2–18.5 gal | 671 mi |
| 2010 Optima | 16.4 gal | 525 mi |
| 2009 Optima | 16.4 gal | 525 mi |
| 2008 Optima | 16.4 gal | 508 mi |
| 2007 Optima | 16.4 gal | 508 mi |
| 2006 Optima | 16.4–17.2 gal | 508 mi |
| 2005 Optima | 17.2 gal | 482 mi |
| 2004 Optima | 17.2 gal | 464 mi |
| 2003 Optima | 17.2 gal | 464 mi |
2008 Kia Optima vs similar 2008 sedans
At 16.4 gallons, the Optima's largest tank ranks sixth of the seven 2008 sedans compared here. The Volkswagen Passat carries the most (18.5 gal) and the Chevrolet Malibu Classic the least (16.0 gal).
| 2008 model | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Passat | 18.5 gal | 537 mi |
| Toyota Camry | 18.5 gal | 574 mi |
| Mazda 6 | 18.0 gal | 522 mi |
| Ford Fusion | 17.5 gal | 508 mi |
| Mercury Milan | 17.5 gal | 508 mi |
| Kia Optima | 16.4 gal | 508 mi |
| Chevrolet Malibu Classic | 16.0 gal | 480 mi |
Other 2008 sedans of a similar size, one model per brand.
2008 Kia Optima fuel system recalls
None of the 3 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2008 Kia Optima involve the fuel system.
2008 Kia Optima fuel pump and gauge parts
NHTSA lists no fuel-system recall for the 2008 Kia Optima, so a failed pump or gauge is a normal repair. These are the part numbers the makers list for it.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2008 Kia Optima?
The 2008 Kia Optima holds 16.4 gallons (62 liters) on every trim we list.
How many gallons and liters does the 2008 Kia Optima gas tank hold?
The 2008 Kia Optima tank holds 62 liters, or 16.4 gallons in US gallons.
How far can a 2008 Kia Optima go on a full tank?
About 459–508 miles on the highway and 328–344 miles in town, going from full to empty at its EPA ratings. Expect less in practice, since nobody runs the tank dry.
How many miles can a 2008 Kia Optima go on a quarter tank?
About 127 highway miles or 86 in town from the 16.4-gallon tank, which has roughly 4.1 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.
How many miles does a 2008 Kia Optima really get on a tank?
Drivers who log their fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 27.6 MPG in the 2008 Kia Optima (6 drivers), which works out to about 453 miles on a full 16.4-gallon tank.
What gas does the 2008 Kia Optima take?
Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.
How much does it cost to fill up a 2008 Kia Optima?
At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 16.4-gallon tank from empty costs $70.03. It ranges from $60.68 in the Gulf Coast to $96.60 in California.
How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 2008 Kia Optima?
About 102 pounds for the 16.4-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Does the 2008 Kia Optima have a bigger gas tank than the Ford Fusion?
No. The 2008 Ford Fusion holds up to 17.5 gallons; the 2008 Kia Optima holds up to 16.4.
Has the 2008 Kia Optima had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?
No. None of the 3 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2008 Kia Optima involve the fuel system.
Sources
- Tank sizes: manufacturer-rated capacities from US-market specifications, checked against independent references. Updated October 2026.
- MPG and range: EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov). Range is tank size times EPA MPG.
- Fuel prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration, week of October 26, 2026 (this week's prices).
- Recalls: NHTSA recall database (Kia fuel system recalls).
- Real-world MPG: driver-reported fill-ups shared at fueleconomy.gov (My MPG).
Does your owner's manual say something different? Let us know and we'll fix it. More on how we check the numbers.