Driving Impressions

We've driven most versions of the Kia Rio and are impressed with it. We spent time in an LX automatic sedan and a Rio5 SX manual. We enjoyed shifting the manual as it definitely makes for a more sporty experience. However, the LX with the automatic transmission was no slouch. Cars in this class traditionally suffer a big performance and fuel economy hit with an automatic, but the Rio confirms that modern transmissions have largely addressed these deficiencies. The automatic rates slightly on the highway, according to the EPA, with 35 mpg compared with the manual's 32 mpg. EPA estimates for city driving are more what you might expect, at 25 mpg for the automatic and 27 mpg for the manual. The Rio is more sporty and athletic than the Hyundai Accent, which uses the same basic structure. There's nothing exceptional about Rio's MacPherson strut front suspension or twist-beam rear axle, but Kia designed them for long wheel travel, a characteristic long favored by European automakers for combining a comfortable ride with responsive handling. The Rio is far from being a sporty car, but the SX handled nimbly without too much body lean or sloppy motion. The LX, with its skinner 14-inch tires, was not quite as secure, though most drivers will not complain. The power steering, which stiffens up as the engine speed increases, felt taught with just the right amount of feel dialed in. We did not try a base model, which comes without power steering. Standard-issue brakes are 10.1-inch discs up front and 8.0-inch drums in the rear. Order the optional ABS and, in addition to the four-channel anti-lock system, rear brakes upgrade to 10.3-inch solid discs. That's a good upgrade and we strongly recommend it. Maximizing your chances of avoiding a crash in a subcompact is a good thing.

Final Word

The Kia Rio is an enjoyable car that's easy to live with. We found the Rio5 SX the most enjoyable, with its combination of hatchback versatility and sporty/luxury touches. All Rios come with a comprehensive set of passive safety features; even the base model boasts six airbags. All models get Kia's generous five-year/60,000-mile warranty coupled with a 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty. NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent John Rettie is based in Santa Barbara.