Kia Optima wins Cars.com 'Best of 2011' award
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/" rel="tag">Sedan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/kia/" rel="tag">Kia</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-kia-optima-2-0t-first-drive/"><img alt="2011 Kia Optima" border="0" hspace="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/01-2011-kia-optima-20t-fd.jpg" vspace="4" /></a>
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<em><strong><small>2011 Kia Optima - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
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We're big fans of the swoopy new <a href="http://autoblog.com/model/optima">2011 Kia Optima</a> - in fact, some of us here at Autoblog even prefer the Kia sedan to its <a href="http://autoblog.com/model/sonata">Hyundai Sonata</a> cousin. Apparently we aren't the only ones who think highly of this fiercely competitive mid-sizer, as Cars.com has just honored the Optima with its 'Best of 2011' award.<br />
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The editors of Cars.com cited the Optima's outstanding fuel economy and excellent driving experience. Specifically:<br />
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<em>"With its value, sharp packaging, outstanding fuel efficiency and lofty features, the Optima gives all family-car shoppers a shot at something far more compelling than the segment represents."</em></div>
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Runners-up include the <a href="http://autoblog.com/model/5+series">BMW 5 Series</a>, <a href="http://autoblog.com/model/cruze">Chevrolet Cruze</a>, <a href="http://autoblog.com/model/volt">Chevrolet Volt</a> (which was recently named North American Car of the Year), <a href="http://autoblog.com/model/odyssey">Honda Odyssey</a> and <a href="http://autoblog.com/model/leaf">Nissan Leaf</a>. All good vehicles, yes, but the Optima's strong presence within the mid-size sedan segment - the most-shopped segment in the auto industry - is a huge achievement for Kia. Head over to <a href="http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2011/01/platinum-awards.html">Cars.com</a> to read the full story.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-kia-optima-2-0t-first-drive/">2011 Kia Optima 2.0T: First Drive</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-kia-optima-2-0t-first-drive/#3701326"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/03-2011-kia-optima-20t-fd_thumbnail.jpg" alt="2011 Kia Optima 2.0T" title="2011 Kia Optima 2.0T" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-kia-optima-2-0t-first-drive/#3701324"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/01-2011-kia-optima-20t-fd_thumbnail.jpg" alt="2011 Kia Optima 2.0T" title="2011 Kia Optima 2.0T" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-kia-optima-2-0t-first-drive/#3701327"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/04-2011-kia-optima-20t-fd_thumbnail.jpg" alt="2011 Kia Optima 2.0T" title="2011 Kia Optima 2.0T" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-kia-optima-2-0t-first-drive/#3701325"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/02-2011-kia-optima-20t-fd_thumbnail.jpg" alt="2011 Kia Optima 2.0T" title="2011 Kia Optima 2.0T" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-kia-optima-2-0t-first-drive/#3701328"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/05-2011-kia-optima-20t-fd_thumbnail.jpg" alt="2011 Kia Optima 2.0T" title="2011 Kia Optima 2.0T" /></a></div><br />
<em><strong><small>Phot os copyright (C)2011 Zach Bowman / AOL</small></strong></em><br />
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[Source: <a href="http://www.cars.com/awards/platinum-awards/?category=winner&mname=Op tima">Cars.com</a>]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/12/kia-optima-wins-cars-com-best-of-2011-award/">Kia Optima wins Cars.com 'Best of 2011' award</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 17:59:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.cars.com/awards/platinum-awards/?category=winner&mname=Op tima>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/12/kia-optima-wins-cars-com-best-of-2011-award/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19797975/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/12/kia-optima-wins-cars-com-best-of-2011-award/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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