It's time for a bit of re-education. We're definitely living in an era where there's no such thing as a truly "bad" new car, but the two cars that have come closest to earning this distinction in recent memory are the Chevrolet Aveo and Kia Rio.
Both of them were entry-level compacts that had the general misfortune of being in the room when the whole class suddenly got a lot better with the arrival of cars like the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa and Ford Fiesta.
Well, the choice was to adapt or die. The Aveo went away pretty quickly. The Rio, on the other hand, has successfully evolved, and can be counted with the rest of the class as a great little commuter. A thorough makeover in 2012 gave it a face like a downsized Forte and interior appointments to match.
That's not condemning with faint praise.
Make no mistake, the Rio may have a base price of just $13,600, but it has stepped decisively out of the cheap-car ghetto. The upgrade is immediately obvious, thanks to fresh exterior styling that stands out on the road. Kia's family look translates well to the smaller Rio. A chrome-trimmed grille is flanked by large quad headlamp units and a sizeable lower air intake. The Rio is available as a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback. Both versions feature a large greenhouse with A-pillars that dip below the level of the windshield to bring more light into the interior and emphasize the human-space inside. The fivedoor is the cuter of the two thanks to a
cut-off tail and nearly vertical hatchback.
Gentle side sculpting and available body-colored mirrors provide a more upscale look to the exterior.
Interior appointments are equally comfortable. Two-tone trim shows that Kia's paid attention to detail rather than cheaping out on the interior bits, and it's comfortable on the road thanks in part to a comparatively long wheelbase. With four passengers aboard, the Rio got compliments on its interior comfort from folks who didn't have a clue
what it cost. Available amenities include Bluetooth phone connectivity, a rearview camera, satellite radio and Kia's UVO infotainment system, which enables voiceactivated control of paired smartphones. UVO is accessed through a 4.3-inch touch screen. There's even a navigation system available.
The sedan's 13.7 cubic-foot trunk is decently sized, while the five-door's 15 cubic-foot cargo area provides an underfloor cargo tray and almost fifty with the rear seats folded. It's not a hybrid, but the frugal Rio has a measure of environmental friendliness nonetheless. Kia uses a high percentage of recyclable materials in this car, including biodegradable seat foam.
A138-horsepower, 1.6-liter engine provides motivation.
The Rio gets high-efficiency gasoline direct injection, which improves emissions as well as enabling more thorough burning of fuel for maximum power. Astop-start function is available, enabling the Rio to shut off the engine at traffic lights, automatically restarting when the brake pedal is released, for additional fuel savings. Stopstart systems have previously been the province of hybrids and high-end luxury vehicles, but Kia changes that. Achoice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions is offered.
On automatic-equipped Rios, paddle shifters on the steering wheel enable manual gear changes.
The suspension is straightforward in its design, using MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam at the rear. The Rio's light weight makes it responsive and easy to pilot around town; it's a friendly commuter, giving up a bit of refinement to competitors like the Ford Fiesta perhaps, but otherwise comfortable and competent. It doesn't feel fragile, which is an admirable trait in a vehicle that barely weighs a ton.
Four-wheel disc brakes are standard on the Rio five-door, as well as anti-lock brakes.
The Rio five-door is an inexpensive and delightful little errand-running companion. Entry-level cars are best when they're fun and practical at the same time, and Kia's done a good job of creating that balance. The low starting price is a great incentive in these tough times as well. The Rio starts at $13,600, and the five-door at just $200 more. Afully equipped Rio five-door with navigation and all the toys stickers for just over $18,000.
Courtesy of Lowell Sun (Online)
