The 2007 Kia Optima is for all intents and purposes an all-new car, thoroughly revised from the tires up (though an arcane federal regulation required that a handful were sold as 2006.5 models). It's one of the best Korean-designed automobiles yet. Like most cars in the ultra-competitive field of mid-size sedans, the Optima offers a choice of four-cylinder or V6 power in a front-wheel drive chassis.

The base 2.4-liter four-cylinder is strong, particularly with the manual transmission. Both the four-cylinder and upgrade 2.7-liter V6 are more efficient than the engines in pre-2007 models, and a new five-speed automatic improves fuel economy, acceleration and overall smoothness. EPA mileage ratings have improved roughly 10 percent compared to the 2006 Optima.