Palm Kia

The 2011 Kia Optima seems to be getting one accolade after another. As you might recall, the sedan was previously named a Top Safety Pick for 2011 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). More recently, the award-winning car has also earned a five-out-of-five star rating, after passing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) new, more stringent crash-test rating system.

In the past, this might have seemed like less of a big…

Who do car buyers perennially turn to for ratings they know they can trust? ratings that often help shape their final decision? Consumer Reports.  Well, it's that time of year again, and the esteemed editors there have selected six new models for the Top Picks list for 2011. At the top, within the Family SUV category, you'll find Kia who is winning hearts worldwide with their all-new Sorrento.

This is quite the feat…

Each year, automakers deliver a collection of new models and remakes for buyers to choose from. The selection can be overwhelming, leaving consumers scratching their heads asking the critical question: Which is the best?

This year, Cars.com awarded the 2011 Kia Optima its Platinum Best of 2011 Award. Yeah?It's a pretty big deal. What makes it even more momentous is how the Optima ascended from its fourth-place ranking five years ago.

Speaking…