The minivan from Kia looks good in terms of its package size, the functionality of cabin space and seat arrangements, plus on-board safety systems and lots of preferred features as standard. Sized between minivans with short and long wheelbases, Sedona contains all of the favored minivan features, from twin sliding side doors to three rows of seats for seven, deluxe appointments in a spacious cabin, and ample power flowing from a V6 engine, the same V6 that powers Sorento and Amanti. That twin-cam plant -- a 3.5-liter V6 -- produces 195 hp for Sedona and ties to a five-speed automatic transmission.

Sedona's standards include air conditioning; power-operated controls for doors, locks and mirrors; cruise control; variable intermittent front wipers and rear intermittent wipers; even rear flip-out quarter windows and a stereo system with six speakers. On 2005 issues, two captain's chairs fit in the second row on the LX edition in place of the standard bench.

Kia's mid-size sedan appears stylish, stocks comfy seats in a cabin that's as spacious as best-selling mid-size sedans, then brings two engine choices including a V6 teamed to a select-shift automatic. Optima's structural and mechanical elements -- platform, suspension system and engines -- come from Hyundai's Sonata. Although the two cars share these essential components, each looks different, with Optima dressed in conservative exterior style and the cabin containing equipment unique to Kia.

All issues have standard equipment like air conditioning, a stereo sound system with six speakers, and power controls for windows, locks and mirrors. The Optima LX uses a four-cylinder engine and a four-speed automatic with optional Sportmatic mode for clutch-less shift control. The Optima LX V6 and EX V6 bring a 2.7-liter aluminum V6 that makes 178 hp through the automatic with Sportmatic shifting. For 2005, the EX V6 adds a sunroof with one-touch toggle for opening and closing, and a new paint shade shows up called Radiant Red.

Best-selling subcompacts from Kia are promoted as bottom-dollar cars with feisty power and too-cool styling, inside and out. Rio is a four-door sedan, while the hatchback version is called Cinco -- a word in Spanish that translates into English as the number five, which happens to be the count for all doors. Both models share the same 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, which delivers 105 hp and links to a manual five-speed or optional automatic four-speed transmission. Alloy wheels go to the Cinco, along with body-colored exterior trim. For both cars the cabin structure is tall so driver and passenger ride high in front buckets, followed by a rear bench with indentions for two. Optional gear loads the bottom line, but not severely. The extra items include an automatic transmission, air conditioning, upgrade package and ABS. (CONTINUED...)