Miles per year: 10000

Sportage comes with the choice of two engines, a five-speed manual or four-speed Sportmatic™ transmission, and the choice of either two-wheel or full-time four-wheel drive. The 2.0-liter, 16-valve engine uses Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) to boost performance, enhance fuel economy and reduce emissions at low and mid-range rpm. The engine generates 140 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 136 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm, giving the Sportage competitive power for its class. For even better performance, a powerful V6 engine is available, mated to a four-speed Sportmatic™ transmission. The lightweight, compact, DOHC 24-valve all-aluminum 2.7-liter engine generates 173 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 178 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm.

Miles per year: 10000

The 2010 Kia Spectra is available as a sedan or hatchback. The sedan may be had in a choice of three trim levels: LX, EX and SX. The hatchback Spectra5 is only available in the top-of-the-line SX trim. The base LX is bare bones -- most folks will likely go with the EX, which has air-conditioning, cruise control, full power accessories, keyless entry and a CD/MP3 player with an auxiliary audio jack. The sporty SX adds a sport-tuned suspension, 16-inch alloy wheels, bigger tires, foglights, a rear spoiler, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, metal-finish interior accents and cloth sport seats.

Miles per year: 10000

The Kia Amanti is a large sedan available in one trim level. A two-tone interior color scheme along with subdued wood and metallic accents and comfy seats should please those looking for a low-priced luxury car. Standard equipment is comprehensive. When optioned out, the Amanti features such niceties as leather upholstery, heated power front seats with memory, power-adjustable pedals and a nine-speaker stereo with six-CD changer. Some higher-end features, however, like a navigation system, aren't available.

Miles per year: 10000

This Kia is actually a very competitive sedan, from its 156-horsepower base engine to its impressive fuel economy. The interior is pleasant, too, with a clean dashboard layout, plenty of standard features on most trim levels, and decent-quality materials. As with the old Spectra, you get a lot for your money (including a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty), but this time around you're not going to feel as if you're driving a red-tag special. The 2010 Kia Forte is a four-door compact sedan available in LX, EX and SX trims. Standard equipment on the base LX includes 15-inch steel wheels, a six-way-adjustable driver seat, a tilt steering column, Bluetooth connectivity and a four-speaker CD/MP3 audio system with USB and auxiliary audio jacks.

Miles per year: 10000

The 2009 Optima is presented with new front, side and rear styling cues, which build upon Kia's philosophy of creating dynamic vehicles that evoke passion. The fog lamps and lower front grille have been enlarged and the headlamps narrowed to create an aggressively sharper look. Wider side garnishes add sportiness while the acute front lines continue toward the back, ending on a distinctly edged trunk lid. To complete the redesigned rear fascia, taillights are narrowed to enhance Optima's sleeker cosmetic appearance.

Miles per year: 10000

The Kia Rio is offered in both sedan and five-door hatchback body styles. During its first generation, the hatchback was shaped more like a wagon and was known as the Rio Cinco. In the current generation, however, it has been renamed the Kia Rio5. The sedan and hatchback models have identical mechanicals and interior components, though the hatchback offers significantly more utility. The Rio's four-cylinder engines have always emphasized frugality over performance, which is appropriate for this class of car.

Miles per year: 10000

Available with either a 2.4-liter in-line four-cylinder engine or a 2.7-liter sixty-degree V6, Rondo's engines have upgraded horsepower. The four-cylinder now delivers up to 175 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque while the six-cylinder now produces 192 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The four-cylinder comes with a four-speed automatic whereas the V6 is equipped with a five-speed automatic, both mated to an electronically controlled Sportmatic™ transmission. Fuel economy for the 2.4-liter engine is 20/27 A/T (city/highway), while the 2.7-liter V6 is 18/26 A/T (city/highway).

Miles per year: 10000

The Kia Sorento is a midsize SUV available in base, LX and EX trim levels. A 3.3-liter V6 powers the first two, and it produces 242 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque. The EX gets a 3.8-liter V6 good for 262 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired to a five-speed automatic transmission, while rear-wheel or four-wheel drive (with low-range gearing) is offered. The base trim includes air-conditioning, full power accessories, a CD/MP3 audio system, multiple power points and 60/40-split flip-and-fold rear seats. The LX adds keyless entry and cruise control, while the EX ups the ante with an upgraded cabin, the bigger V6 engine and a power driver seat. All models have side curtain airbags, antilock disc brakes and stability control.

Miles per year: 10000

Spectra and Spectra5 vehicles are powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine, which features Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and multi-port electronic fuel injection. Producing 138 horsepower and 136 lb.-ft of torque , the Spectra lineup offers a more powerful punch than stable mates Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus. Outfitted with a standard five-speed manual transmission for 2008, the option of an automatic transmission extends to the LX four-door sedan making the electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission available for all trim levels.