I agree! My new stove is going on three years old, and the difference between it and the ones I grew up with is dramatic. Excellent draw, starts with minimal kindling or paper, and as you noted nearly no smoke-- this despite it being designed to heat 2200 sq ft. Note that the EPA is not forcing anyone to upgrade (yet), they will just limit the new stoves available as they have done in the past. I do not agree with this, I don't even think there should be an EPA, but they are not coming to take our stoves (yet).
I have a 50 year old pot belly stove that does the same thing I think it has more to do with the pe3rson operating it. Damper setting is very important.