Record-breaking sales and award-winning models helped to make 2011 a great year for Kia. But the good times are certainly nowhere near over for the ambitious automaker. In fact, Kia is moving into an equally pleasing 2012 by earning the Autobytel's "2012 Sedan of the Year" award for the Kia Optima.

For those unfamiliar, Autobytel is an automotive research group that strives to provide consumers with a strong armor of vehicle information by testing…