Here's an example of when not to pick the smaller engine. Compared to the V-6-powered example we drove last summer, this four-cylinder Kia Sorento feels lethargic in urban driving. There's plenty of power for merging onto a highway, but the lack of torque is notable in the city. Because the all-wheel-drive Sorento is relatively heavy (3737 pounds) and the engine doesn't make that much low-end torque (181 lb-ft at 4250 rpm), the automatic transmission hunts up and down with annoying frequency.

Even though the Kia Soul isn't the best-driving Kia, it was the first glimpse at what the brand was capable of. It's true, Peter Schreyer arrived at Kia so late into the Soul's development process that he could only influence the design of the grille, but the fact that Kia planned a vehicle as interesting and funky as the Soul before it had someone as creative as Schreyer on staff certainly drove home the point that the brand wasn't content merely to create cheap cars.

Is there room in our Four Seasons fleet for two sporty compact crossovers? We're starting to find out as the Kia Sportage duels against the new Mazda CX-5.

Let's face it, the Kia Rio pretty much defines the term "econobox." But if the latest version does nothing else, it shows the extent to which the current generation of entry-level, B-segment cars has progressed. Consider the econobox redefined.

The Kia Sportage's stylish and well-equipped interior was one of the things that impressed us initially. But at the ten-month marker its charms have started to wear thin.

The Kia brand's bold design language, under styling chief -- and Automobile Magazine Man of the Year -- Peter Schreyer, is perhaps most impressive on the Optima mid-size sedan, which was unveiled at the 2010 New York auto show. Consumers took note, snapping up 84,590 Optimas in 2011, nearly doubling the nameplate's previous best year. (That number, however, still puts the model far behind class leaders such as the Toyota Camry, the Nissan Altima, and the Honda Accord, all of which sold more than 250,000 copies last year.) Kia officials expect to move even more Optimas in 2012, as production at the company's two-year-old factory in West Point, Georgia, ramps up fully.

The first-generation Kia Cee'd ushered in a new design language for Kia in Europe, and it looks as if history is about to repeat itself. The next-generation Cee'd, which is slated to debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March, appears to push the design envelope even further.

The new Kia Rio sedan drives absolutely nothing like its hatchback counterpart. Well, at least not the hatchback we drove back-to-back with the sedan in Florida this week.

The first-generation Kia Cee'd ushered in a new design language for Kia in Europe, and it looks as if history is about to repeat itself. The next-generation Cee'd, which is slated to debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March, appears to push the design envelope even further.

The Kia Soul has such a great, funky shape that is both compact and cavernous, without looking like a box-on-wheels like its competition. The 1.6-liter I-4 is peppy and spunky and is a hoot to use around town. Sadly, equipped with the automatic transmission and start/stop system like this example, the fun ends there. The transmission is hesitant to downshift and loves to shift up to sixth gear as quickly as it can to save fuel. Speaking of saving fuel, the big draw of the $1000 eco package is the start/stop system, which is surprisingly crude. At a stoplight, the engine shudders to a stop; upon releasing the brake pedal, the engine turns over - causing a dip in the battery's amperage and dimming the headlights, then releases the brakes causing the car to jolt forward. While the engine is off, the heater doesn't seem all that willing to heat, either. The fact that this Soul seemed so soulless was sad to me, as the regular Soul with the six-speed manual transmission is a quite fun city runabout that I have recommended to several people.

Our Kia Sportage spent a lot of time on the highway this month, but whether it's actually well suited to this task remains a matter of some debate.

Kia recently used its Super Bowl spot to showcase its new 2012 Kia Optima Limited, and now the new top-of-the-line Optima has become a reality at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, where the automaker also revealed production plans for the new model.

How do you get a bunch of car enthusiasts to pay attention to a car? In the case of the Kia Track'ster concept, swear it'll be a blast to drive.

In our minds, the raison d'etre of an all-wheel-drive crossover, even a small, high-style one like the Kia Sportage, is to slog through adverse weather. Despite the unseasonably mild weather Southeast Michigan has experienced so far, we can confirm that the Sportage, which we've shod with Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires, lives up to this basic mission.

Kia has really come a long way in a short time, and it seems that few people have taken notice. Styling is the most visible improvement to Kia's product portfolio, and Peter Schreyer, formerly of Audi, gets the credit there. Powertrains have also come a long way, though they aren't quite as remarkable as the new design language.

Last year, a new hatchback model brought some fresh features to the Forte lineup. This year, Kia is sticking pretty closely to what the company brought out for the 2011 model year. For 2012 there are only minor mechanical changes to the Forte five-door and minimal changes to the interiors of the Forte Koup and sedan. There is an impressive list of features meant to take Kia away from its reputation as a budget brand. Since its introduction, the Forte has offered leather, heated seats, and Bluetooth. Push-button start, shift paddles, and navigation are optional. Power comes from a 2.0-liter or a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, and the two transmission choices are a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. All available powertrains deliver good performance and return respectable fuel economy. The top SX model aims for a sporty feel inside with black surfaces accented by silver trim and red lighting. Unfortunately, driving the SX, or any of the Forte models, is far from a dynamic experience. Plenty of competitors in the small-car segment are more composed, refined, and fun. Manufacturers have gotten much more serious about their small cars lately, and models like the Mazda 3, the Ford Focus, and the Hyundai Elantra -- to name a few -- have really raised the bar in refinement, dynamics, and efficiency. That has left the handsome Forte playing catch-up.

This sedan was all new for 2011 and hasn't seen many updates for the 2012 model year. Aside from a few optional features becoming standard on some trim levels, the Optima remains unchanged. That's not a bad thing, though. Exterior styling has not been touched, thankfully. Bold lines and sporty proportions give the Kia four-door a whole lot of curb appeal at a price that isn't going to keep your kids from going to college someday. The Optima is based on the Hyundai Sonata, but the two cars share no exterior body panels. Using the same running gear as the Sonata, the base engine for the Optima is a 198-hp direct-injected four-cylinder. A 274-hp turbocharged in-line four and a hybrid-drive model round out the power choices. The hybrid gets excellent fuel economy, as expected, but this isn't the most polished hybrid system in the segment. The base engine, actually, gets very good fuel economy, and the turbo adds lots of power without much of a fuel economy penalty. This latest Optima has little to do with the milquetoast Optima sedans that came before. The current version is larger and rides on a longer wheelbase that frees up an additional 2.9 inches of legroom. Available high-end features include heated seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, and a 500-watt Infinity sound system. The 2012 Optima will be built in Kia's plant in West Point, Georgia, alongside the Sorento. Optima hybrids, however, will still be imported from Korea.

All new for 2012, the Kia Rio, heretofore an archetypally boring car, has become truly interesting. Clean lines, an upright and aggressive front fascia, and standard fifteen-inch wheels dispel the sense of awkwardness and cheapness that commonly afflicts subcompact cars. The top-of-the-line SX model goes even further, with seventeen-inch aluminum wheels and LED accents for the taillights and the daytime running lamps. That's flashy hardware for a subcompact, but the Rio pulls it all together subtly in a fashion not unlike the Volkswagen GTI. The new Hyundai Accent, its under-the-skin twin, is probably more distinct, but the Rio is without a doubt more expensive-looking. The Rio also looks good on the inside -- typically an area where economy cars serve up lots of cheap and nasty hard plastic. Here, there's a handsome dash with large switches and available navigation. The graining of the plastics and the number of soft-touch surfaces impresses. Predictably, the Rio shares much with the Accent, from its 101.2-inch wheelbase to its direct-injected, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. Paired with either a six-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic, the hatchback should achieve 29 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. Kia estimates that the sedan will do 30 mpg in the city along with the now-requisite 40 mpg on the highway. On the debit side are overboosted steering and a ride that can be harsh. Overall, the Rio is now one of the more refined, better-looking offerings in a segment brimming with good cars.

The minivan market no longer brims with choices, but Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Chrysler have very good recently redesigned or heavily updated models. So why would one choose the Kia Sedona? Price. The Sedona is less expensive than its competitors. The better news is that the Sedona was significantly enhanced for 2011. A 303-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 has replaced the larger and less powerful 3.8-liter six-cylinder. The automatic transmission gained another gear, making it a six-speed. Also part of the refresh were a redesigned front grille and new wheels. Still, this is an older design that doesn't match the newer vans in ride, handling, or refinement. That's not to say that the Sedona is missing any key equipment. The requisite minivan feature, a rear-seat DVD player, is optional on both models. Power sliding doors, Bluetooth, and steering-wheel audio controls are standard. The EX can be fancied up somewhat, with a navigation system, leather seats, and a power sunroof. Don't expect to find the latest and greatest features, such as a backup camera and a blind-spot warning system. The Sedona isn't quite as luxurious or as ingeniously equipped (no folding picnic tables) as some other minivans, but it does most of what they can do just as well and has all the essential safety equipment we have come to rely on. The Sedona is a perfectly good option if you want to spend less for a minivan.

After skipping the 2010 model year, the Sorento reappeared, completely redesigned, as a 2011 model. Whereas the previous Sorento was an old-style body-on-frame SUV, the current one is a modern unibody crossover. It was the first Kia to be assembled at the company's U.S. factory in Georgia. This year, there's a newly available 2.4-liter, 191-hp gasoline direct-injected four-cylinder, and the 175-hp four-cylinder, also 2.4 liters, is still around. The more powerful engine is the obvious choice, because it also gets better gas mileage -- an impressive 32 mpg on the highway (with front-wheel drive) -- which puts it up with the class leaders. A 3.5-liter V-6 is still available, and it delivers more punch (thanks to its 276 hp) and greater refinement, but it's significantly more expensive, and its fuel economy is somewhat disappointing, particularly when paired with all-wheel drive. Standard equipment includes Bluetooth and a USB port. Keyless ignition, a backup camera, a panoramic sunroof, and a third row of seats are optional. The latter is cramped but might be useful for small children. The Sorento plays in the mainstream heart of the mid-size crossover/SUV market -- that explains why it's Kia's best-selling vehicle. Although it's a very competent contender, it's not a standout in any particular area.

When the Soul showed up on the scene in 2010, it definitely made waves. Thanks in part to a successful Super Bowl television ad, the Soul secured its spot in the boxy-car trifecta along with the Nissan Cube and the Scion xB. Nifty, funky, and quirky are all words that can describe this car's styling. Big, buggy headlights and a squared-off, swept-back design give the Soul a sportier look than its competition. Bold exterior looks are only accented by wacky-but-appealing paint options, including moss, a new color this year. Inside, an all-new 350-watt seven-speaker Infinity audio system is optional on Soul+ models and standard on Soul! models. As before, there are lights in the door-mounted speakers that can flash in time with the music. The Soul! has a voice-activated infotainment system with a 4.3-inch color touch screen and a rear camera display. The two four-cylinder engines now make more power. The 1.6-liter, paired with a six-speed manual, produces 138 hp, a thirteen-percent increase over the previous engine. Not enough? A new 2.0-liter pumps out 164 hp, a sixteen-percent increase over the previous engine, and 148 lb-ft of torque. It's available with either the six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. The larger engine is standard on Soul+ and Soul! models. If flower power is more appealing to you than horsepower, there is an available eco package, which features Intelligent Stop and Go technology and an Active Eco system for optimal fuel-efficient driving.

Few buyers may remember it, but the Sportage was the model that got Kia off the ground in America. The current version, however, has nothing to do with that sad little SUV. In fact, this Sportage is effectively an all-new model, introduced last year. It's a sibling under the skin to the Hyundai Tucson, but the Kia has a unique look, and that's true inside as well. The interior is as stylish as the exterior, but the sometimes cheap-looking materials remind you that this vehicle is aimed at the budget-conscious buyer. For 2012, though, Kia is adding a new cloth seat fabric that supposedly reduces staining and static electricity. Kia likes to play up the high-tech aspects of the Sportage; among them is Uvo, an audio system that allows for voice control of the radio, CD player, or connected iPod. A navigation system and a backup camera are optional. In the world of small crossovers, the Sportage stands out thanks to well-controlled body roll, nicely tuned electric power steering, and good brake feel. The ride quality, however, leaves something to be desired. You can really put some more sport into the Sportage by opting for the SX, which has a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that puts out 256 hp. Despite its extra oomph, the turbo gets the same highway mileage as the base four. Unfortunately, the six-speed manual transmission in the base Sportage is not offered with the turbo. The SX does, however, have a stiffer suspension with variable-rate dampers.

The American auto industry has become fixated on 40 mpg. This new benchmark dominates car advertising, and nearly every manufacturer is rushing to tweak its models -- or bring out entirely new cars -- in order to achieve that figure in EPA fuel-economy testing. That's a good thing for the environment and consumers' wallets, but higher-mileage cars often come at the expense of driving enjoyment. While a tiny hybrid car might be incredibly efficient, it probably won't get its driver's heart racing.

The automobile industry knows design is important, so enormous energy and funding is applied to it, but it's famously difficult to know how effective those efforts and expenditures really are. Except in one precise, clear-cut case: Kia's.

"Can we stop complaining about the naturally aspirated engine, already?"