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What's New: With a base MSRP that makes it the least expensive car in America, the roomy little Rio is a peppy 96-horsepower entry-level sedan. While the design of and materials used on this car are nothing to write home about, build quality is impressively tight. And Kia's new Long Haul Warranty Program offers the added security of a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, along with impressive levels of bumper-to-bumper and roadside assistance coverage. Type: Subcompact car Pros: Unbeatable price, peppy engine, decent build quality relative to price point. Cons: Generic styling, power windows/locks unavailable at any price. Review Kia's determined to get a tenacious hold on the econo-car market, and with the introduction of the appealingly inexpensive Rio, along with their impressive new Long Haul Warranty Program, they may well be on their way to doing just that. The 1.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder, the only engine available on the Rio, is surprisingly peppy, making 98 foot-pounds of torque at 4,500 rpm, and providing quick acceleration from a stop as well as adequate passing power on the highways. Over 75 mph, the engine serenades the driver with an incessant whine, but maintains speed quite well. The optional four-speed automatic tranny has an overdrive-off button to avoid gear searching in the hills. The wedge-shaped exterior design of the Rio is inoffensive, if generic, while the interior is solidly screwed together, although the materials used reflect the bargain-basement price of this subcompact sedan. Hard plastics and cheesy upholstery abound, but rattles and squeaks are still kept to a minimum within the cabin. Outside, the Rio boasts upscale-looking clear lens headlights and, with the $380 upgrade package, wheel covers and bodyside moldings. Alloy wheels are available as an independent option for $275, and you get a nifty spoiler for 85 bones. Antilock brakes are not standard equipment, but you can get them for $400 with or without the upgrade package. Air conditioning, which works beautifully without hampering engine power too much, will run you another $750, and you can choose either an AM/FM/cassette stereo or an AM/FM/CD stereo, but you can't get both. The inside of this thrifty sedan is logically and simply laid out. Radio controls are conveniently placed above the HVAC switchgear, although the climate controls are set a little too low in the center stack for optimum ergonomic affability. Buttons and switches are all big enough and easy to find and use, and the front seats are comfy, but lack lumbar support. The rear seat feels like a park bench, but interior room is pretty impressive for a vehicle of this size. One accouterment of which Kia is especially proud is the driver's seat fold-down armrest, but it's pretty much useless with the stick shift, and in fact impedes arm movement somewhat even in the folded-up position. The Rio behaves well on the road, with a tight suspension that keeps body roll to a minimum, but communicates irregularities in the tarmac directly to the driver. The steering is tight and accurate for a vehicle at this price point, but the lack of refinement is apparent in the vibration through the gas pedal and shifter. The Rio competes with the Hyundai Accent, the Daewoo Lanos and the Toyota Echo, while being cheaper than all three and still displaying solid build quality. It's definitely worth checking out if you're low on ducats. Styles & Prices at Edmunds.com | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
