Does the 2012 Kia Optima need premium gas?
Every trim takes regular — no premium needed.
| Trim (engine / transmission) | Fuel | MPG | Fuel/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, FWD | REGULAR | 27 | $2,300 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl, 6-spd manual, FWD | REGULAR | 27 | $2,300 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, FWD | REGULAR | 26 | $2,400 |
The EPA records the fuel each version was tested on. Whether premium is strictly required or just recommended is an owner's-manual detail the EPA dataset doesn't include — so we don't guess it.
3 trim(s) · EPA FuelEconomy.gov · retrieved 2026-06-14.