2009 Kia Optima

Not two months after sister company Hyundai debuted a freshened Sonata, Kia followed suit with the midsize Optima. Though the cars shared architecture in previous years, they've been on divergent paths for some time now, Kia says. Where the upgraded Sonata's new face found general acceptance, our reaction to the Optima is lukewarm. The car's sheet metal went from Plane Jane to Frank Caliendo, meaning you can find a good impression of a lot of cars here: the grille and taillights look like those on the new and two-generations-old Accord, respectively; the headlights are all Camry; and the trunk and rear bumper remind us of the Malibu.

Both engines have been upgraded, but the cabin remains mostly the same, save for some cooler electroluminescent gauges in the sporty SX trim level. ("Sporty" is a relative term here, as in, whoa, check out that sporty Camry SE!) Other SX features include 17-inch rims, a sport-tuned suspension and mirrors with integrated turn signals. The LX and EX trims remain, and new standard features include a USB port, which takes iPod compatibility beyond what simpler auxiliary jacks allow. Six airbags and active head restraints are also standard, but we wish ABS and stability control were, too. They're optional, but product strategy manager Ralph Tjoa said that may change before the car arrives at dealerships.

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2009 Kia Borrego

I went to the Kia display at the Detroit auto show to see what had to be an outstanding all-new midsize truck-based SUV. It would have to be outstanding, I thought, because there could be no other explanation as to why an automaker would introduce a truck-based SUV in 2008. All I had to do was enter Detroit Hall, pass the Jaguar and Land Rover exhibits and travel back in time more than 10 years.

There I heard Kia Motors America president Len Hunt talk about catering to buyers with "active lifestyles" and celebrating the company's first-ever V-8 engine and navigation system. The model in question was not, it turned out, a 1999. It was the 2009 Borrego, which on closer inspection turned out to be a perfectly serviceable seven-seat SUV — but possibly the worst product decision I've seen in years. Kia has made one smart move after another in the 21st century, even introducing a low-cost-alternative minivan that went toe-to-toe with the class leaders in most areas. Bringing a truck like this to market while the rest of the industry is scrambling to get out of it just doesn't strike me as a good move.

It's not all old-school, though. The Borrego offers power-adjustable pedals, a rear sonar system and backup camera, and a six-speed automatic transmission for use with the 300-plus-horsepower V-8. The base engine is a 3.8-liter V-6, and buyers have a choice of rear- or four-wheel drive. The most modern thing about this model is the promise of a clean-diesel engine option. Asked when this engine would become available, Hunt said only that it would be in the model's first generation. Off to the side of the display, a cutaway 3.0-liter V-6 diesel promised 247 hp and 398 pounds-feet of torque beginning in 2010. Towing capacities aren't given yet for this engine, but the V-6 is claimed to pull 5,000 pounds and the V-8 is good for 7,500.

To be fair, the truck itself has a lot to recommend it. It's not stunning to look at, but it has a relatively high-quality interior with roomy first- and second-row seats, plus a serviceable third row for kids. Safety features abound, including two-stage front airbags, side curtain airbags for all three rows of seats, antilock disc brakes, an electronic stability system with traction control and offroad aids like downhill assist control and hill assist control. There's also the generous Kia warranty.

It's possible so many manufacturers will get out of the truck-based-SUV business that there will be a decent market for trucks like this one. Until such a time, the Borrego will make good use of its hill assist control; it's going to be an uphill climb.

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2008 Jaguar XF

When the concept version of the new XF debuted at last year's Detroit auto show, it was heralded as the car that would save Jaguar. It's hard to remember any other concept drawing such undisputed praise. Jaguar vowed to build a production model true to the sexy concept, and it did — for the most part.

While we're happy with three-quarters of the S-Type replacement's exterior, the front headlights are almost unforgivable. Instead of the sleek daggers of the concept, someone — and if Jaguar can find the person responsible, he or she should be fired — inserted a round element right into the middle of that dagger. The result is a disjointed design that transforms this otherwise fine automobile into a mixed bag.

Besides the debatable looks outside, we can't complain about the massive interior upgrade that mimics, and perhaps even improves upon, the new XK sports coupe.

There are some neat tricks inside, too. The air conditioning vents close when the car is off, and when you start the engine they roll open and into their last position. The shifter is a recessed knob that rises out of the center console when needed. The glove box and interior lights can be controlled via motion sensors instead of switches or buttons. Just wave your hand over the light and it turns on. There's also voice recognition to control the stereo, navigation, telephone, climate and other settings.

The choice of three engines, all controlled by Jaguar's excellent shift-by-wire six-speed automatic transmission, is a fine array of power. Each XF model gets shift paddles as well. We honestly can't wait to drive one, but still wonder how much it would take to change those headlights before March 2008 rolls around.

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2009 Infiniti FX

In many ways, Infiniti's FX is more like a high-riding sports car than an SUV — it shares its platform with the Nissan 350Z sports car. For 2009, the FX receives some mild styling updates, a revised interior and a more powerful V-8 engine.

The FX retains its swoopy profile, but the front of the SUV receives some changes. In place of the previous model's trapezoidal headlights are new housings that have a jagged lower edge. The horizontal chrome bars on the grille have been ditched in favor of an open design that's accented with chrome around the edges. The front fenders also gain chrome appliqués, which seem to be the design cue of choice these days.

A new 5.0-liter V-8 engine is optional in the FX and replaces the 4.5-liter V-8 that previous models could have. It makes 390 horsepower, which is a 70 hp increase in power compared to the old V-8. The FX will again be offered with a base V-6, but detailed specifications for this engine have not yet been announced. Considering the growth in power and displacement for the new V-8, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Infiniti's 330-hp, 3.7-liter V-6 show up here.

The restyled cabin gets a new dashboard that now incorporates a center control panel like the one in the new EX35 SUV. Available features include Lane Departure Prevention, Intelligent Cruise Control and Around View Monitor. AVM uses cameras positioned around the exterior of the car to create a virtual bird's-eye view of the SUV to help drivers gauge distances when parking. A new Sport Package features rear-active steer and 21-inch wheels.

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2008 Infiniti EX35

The luxury compact SUV market is a small one and Infiniti is entering the fray with a bang. The all-new EX35 will sport the same engine as the new G35 sedan but with less horsepower, an estimated "290-plus" hp. That's quite a bit of power for a small utility vehicle, but having a power advantage over the Acura RDX and the BMW X3 immediately gives shoppers a reason to wait for the EX35 to arrive at dealers.

The list of features on the EX35 is long, but a few of the niftiest toys is a "scratch shield" paint that is self-healing and can repair light scratches over time. There's also an optional Around View Monitor system that shows the driver a 360-degree representation of the vehicle and surrounding obstacles. A lane departure warning system will also be optional.

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2009 Hyundai Sonata

The 2009 Hyundai Sonata may not look much different from the outside, but inside, the cabin gets a radical reworking that classes up a solid underachiever in the competitive midsize sedan segment even though the Sonata — like the new Accord — is classified as a large sedan because of interior volume. Both four-cylinder and V-6 models get bumps in power and fuel economy, making the Sonata the most efficient car amongst its chief rivals, even if by a single mpg.

The four- and six-cylinder engines get a boost of 13 and 15 hp, respectively, and are now rated at 21/32 mpg and 19/29 mpg respectively. The V-6 comes with a standard five-speed automatic with a manual mode, unlike the new Accord.

The front end gets a new grille and bumpers to give it a deeper look vertically, but the most welcome change comes inside where the dash, center console and other materials borrow from the more upscale Hyundai Veracruz. It's a big step up.

There are still three trim levels — GLS, SE and Limited — and all three have standard stability control, tire-pressure monitoring system, active front head restraints and six airbags as well as standard cruise control and heated side mirrors. One new standard is a USB/iPod auxiliary input across the line-up. The sedan will start at $18,795, including destination.

Again, Hyundai aims at value over flash and delivers a lot in the new Sonata.

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2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Hot on the heels of the Hot Wheels-inspired Genesis coupe concept that was introduced at last year's Los Angeles auto show, Hyundai will drop the real thing this week in New York. From the side, the Genesis coupe shares some lines with Hyundai's current — and likely outgoing — Tiburon, but it's an entirely different car.

Like the Genesis sedan, the coupe is rear-wheel drive. Rather than using the V-8 from the Genesis sedan, the coupe will have an available 300-plus horsepower V-6. A turbocharged 200-plus-hp four-cylinder is the base engine.

As far as competitors go, Hyundai names various FWD coupes as targets — like the Mitsubishi Eclipse and Honda Civic Si — all the way up to the Infiniti G37. No doubt some shoppers will also consider muscle cars like the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger. Hyundai has also said the Genesis coupe will cost less than other 300-hp cars. The cheapest of those is the Ford Mustang GT, which starts at $26,080.

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