Kia Optima

The Kia Optima's 2016 redesign brought slightly updated styling, and the car is wider, longer and rides on a longer wheelbase. The interior is a bit roomier than the outgoing generation's and features revised materials. Besides improvements to the chassis and suspension, this generation offers a revised turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 245 horsepower, and a newly available turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Optima Hybrid gets 42 mpg combined, according to EPA estimates, and an Optima Plug-In Hybrid can travel up to 29 miles on electric power alone.

The 2011 model year brought a complete redesign of Kia's mid-size sedan. The new Optima featured bold new styling and an inviting interior. Offered in LX, EX and SX trim levels and powered by a choice of four-cylinder engines, the Optima also offered a six-speed manual transmission for a short time. The high-end SX featured a 274-hp turbocharged engine and steering-wheel shift paddles. Premium features normally available on luxury cars, like a heated steering wheel, heated and cooled front seats, and a panoramic moonroof, were optional. The Optima Hybrid debuted as a 2011 model.

Halfway through the 2006 model year the Kia Optima was redesigned. The second-generation Optima featured stronger, more efficient drivetrains and new styling. Four-cylinder and V-6 power were offered along with manual and automatic transmissions. In 2009, the Optima's engines received a bit more power, while the exterior was given a slight face-lift with sharper front-end styling that foreshadowed the design of the next-generation Optima.

A twin to Hyundai's Sonata sedan, Kia launched the Optima in the U.S. as a 2001 model. The first-generation Optima shared much of its underpinnings with the Sonata. It had the same wheelbase but was a tad longer overall and had its own look. A 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine was standard and a V-6 was optional. Buyers could choose a manual or automatic transmission.