[kaisen]

Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata are the same under the skin... just cosmetic preference. I prefer the Hyundai. I've driven lots of them, and I really like them. So do the automotive journalists, although they expect BMW handling and steering feel which these do NOT provide..... they are appliances, and rather soft as consumers of appliances (think Camry) prefer. The Turbo versions are pretty awesome, and still get very good fuel economy. That's the way I'd go if thinking of NEW. There are way too many cheap rental returns out there used, and very few turbos, so if used you'd likely get a N/A version.

Remember that when purchased used, the 10 year / 100K powertrain warranty disappears (but still 60K).

Overall, I'd buy one before a lot of the competition. I'd buy one over a Camry.