Road & Travel Magazine named the 2013 Kia Optima its International Car of the Year (ICOTY) at the North American Auto Show in Detroit. The Optima stood out from competitors thanks to its complete redesign, which included many modern amenities and vehicle maintenance that created a more pleasurable driving experience.
"The Kia Optima rose to the top of the list as the most emotionally compelling vehicle above all others," said Courtney Caldwell, editor-in-chief of Road & Travel Magazine. "Its functional yet sleek design, as well as advanced features, intertwines effortlessly with consumer lifestyles on many levels - qualities we look for when considering contenders for the ICOTY awards."
Each year, 10 cars receive recognition from the magazine for new or existing models that have made impressive improvements. Awards are based off the emotional connection forged between the driver and the car and are given out by a panel of automotive journalists.
The award comes just as Kia announced a new all-time sales record for 2012. More than 557,000 cars were sold in 2012, which is almost a 15 percent increase over 2011 and marks the 18th consecutive year of growth for the manufacturer.