I don't understand the negative comments about Kia.  My family has owned 4 Kias. and have been happy with 3 of the 4.  I've owned an Optima and an Amanti.  I found the optima to be a very good buy for the money.  It had lots of power and nice standard features.  It was comparable to a Honda Accord, in my opinion but was about $8K cheaper.   I liked the Amanti has well but thought the extra $12K on the price tag not worth it even though it had a luxury feel.  I'm assuming that is why Kia discontinued that model.  Two of my sons owned Rios.  The first was a first payment repossession we got for only 7K.  It lacked power and had no luxury items on it.  It was, however, a good 'first car' for a teenager.  The other Rio was much better, but was a later model and perhaps Kia had had the time to work out some kinks by then. Both Rios were totaled in accidents.  (That's what happens when you turn young boys loose with a compact car.)  However, the Rios performed well in protecting my sons.  The passenger compartments were untouched by the accidents.  Sitting in the cars, you couldn't tell the car was totaled.  Both boys walked away with nothing more than sore muscles for their ignorance.