jrg77:
Sentra SE-Rs weighed 200 lbs LESS, by my calculations, each of the Rio's horses carries 10% more weigh than the old Nissan.
Better than: The Rio of old.
But not as good as: The girl that Duran Duran sang about.
GRM Bang For The Buck Index: 85.98
The Kia Rio? That's a bargain-basement subcompact that's about two steps above walking, right? How that nameplate has quickly grown. What was only recently a rather forgettable people mover has been reborn for the 2012 model year into an elegant, nicely equipped machine.
The engine alone is worth a look: a 1.6-liter, direct-injection, all-alloy unit that produces 138 horsepower while delivering a 30 city/40 highway EPA mpg rating. Kia also notes that it's the first non-hybrid engine with ISG technology--the engine turns off when the car isn't moving in order to conserve fuel.
Two transmissions are available, either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. (Sadly, the manual is only available on the base trim level.)
We spent our time with the top-of-the-line SX model: 17-inch alloy wheels, tilt steering wheel, six-way adjustable driver seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote keyless entry and other niceties. And remember, the Rio is still their base model.
Prices: The base Rio LX sedan starts at $13,400; the upmarket SX that we drove has a starting MSRP of $17,500.
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MINI may have blazed the trail of the upmarket subcompact here in the U.S., and it's nice to see others following suite. The new Rio looks amazing. Yes, I admit that I'm a huge fan of Kia's new design language, but at first glance, especially with those 17-inch wheels, this doesn't look like a bargain-priced econobox.
The interior is equally nice. It looks good and, just as important, it feels good. The surfaces have a nice, rich feeling to them--especially for this price point.
Then there's the engine: a gasoline-injected, 1.6-liter plant that makes 138 horsepower. I know, I know, Honda's famed B16A made more from the same displacement, but it wasn't this thrifty, either. It was also not something available to the masses.
We put a bit of miles on this one, and even with the low-profile tires it was quiet. Visibility is nice, and there's plenty of room inside.
What's not to like? Personally I wish the manual transmission wasn't limited to the base model. You know, I might be a potential customer for a loaded Rio, provided it had the stick. I also wish it had a more advanced rear suspension, but I have driven a B Spec Rio and it seems to work okay. Plus that torsion beam suspension seems to be par for the field.
Closing arguments: I like it. I'd like it even more if Kia would offer the stick with the SX trim.
jrg77:
Sentra SE-Rs weighed 200 lbs LESS, by my calculations, each of the Rio's horses carries 10% more weigh than the old Nissan.
The Kia Rio? That's a bargain-basement subcompact that's about two steps above walking, right? How that nameplate has quickly grown. What was only recently a rather forgettable people mover has been reborn for the 2012 model year into an elegant, nicely equipped machine.
The engine alone is worth a look: a 1.6-liter, direct-injection, all-alloy unit that produces 138 horsepower while delivering a 30 city/40 highway EPA mpg rating. Kia also notes that it's the first non-hybrid engine with ISG technology--the engine turns off when the car isn't moving in order to conserve fuel.
Two transmissions are available, either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. (Sadly, the manual is only available on the base trim level.)
We spent our time with the top-of-the-line SX model: 17-inch alloy wheels, tilt steering wheel, six-way adjustable driver seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote keyless entry and other niceties. And remember, the Rio is still their base model.
Prices: The base Rio LX sedan starts at $13,400; the upmarket SX that we drove has a starting MSRP of $17,500.
| Like what you read here? You can get a whole magazine full of these types of articles delivered to your home or shop 8 times a year. Subscribe now!
Visit the Grassroots Motorsports online store for back issues. |
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