Wider, and with a longer wheelbase, Kia says the new 2006.5 Optima has more interior passenger room than 2006 versions of the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Toyota Camry. The leather that’s offered in the Optima EX is a big improvement over the standard fabric. It looks great, soft and smooth with perforated inserts for the seats and door panel inserts, going a long way toward making the Optima an agreeable daily driver. However, the metallic trim in one of our test cars, a gold EX with a taupe-over-tan interior, took on a distasteful brassy tint that contrasted poorly with the interior decor. Kia might wish to think about using fake wood, instead.