Plenty of folks are using the lag in the economy to seek out a great deal on a new car. If you really want to stretch your hard-earned cash, take a look at the Kia Rio. Not only does it offer great gas mileage, a terrific look (think Mazda Protégé), but also offers plenty of extras not found on many mid-priced cars.
Forget the brand’s budget reputation. With the Kia Rio that just means your money goes a lot farther, whether you chose the sedan or hatchback (called Rio5). Both are equipped the Kia’s standard 1.6 liter four-cylinder engine, which is plenty perky in this model.
I test drove the Kio Rio sedan LX priced at $14,800, although there is a more back-to-basics version, that comes into the market with an MSRP $12,145.
2009 Kia Rio Exterior
This may sound silly, but as someone who’s weary of sales folks trying to sell me packages that ensure the bumpers, door handles and mirrors are all body-colored, it’s a joy not to be "nickel and dimed" that way. Details like these are standard on all trims of Kia's Rio. Those and other touches add to the car’s sleek styling which includes a choice of body trims that let the owner decide if the car is sophisticated or sporty. If you opt for sporty, you’ll be able to upgrade even more to gain fog lights and a body-colored rear spoiler In looking at the exterior, don’t forget to check out the wheels. You can choose 14-inch, 15-inch or 16-inch with a variety of tire choices.
While some liken the Rio’s style to a European look, I liken it more to a Mazda Protégé – basic, but sharp. Like the Protégé, the Rio is ideal for city living with a slim silhouette.
2009 Kia Rio Interior
Pretty faces such as Rio’s abound in the auto world. The problem, of course, is that many times the trendy look comes at the expense of other – some would argue somewhat basic – features such as comfortable seats, easy-to-hold steering wheels and rear wipers/washers. Suffice to say that the Rio has all of those and more.
Full-cloth trim and an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat – which is pretty darned comfy -- with a fold-down armrest are some of the unexpected extras. Add to that numerous storage areas and a killer sound system with CD/MP3 capabilities plus USB and auxiliary audio input jacks, and you’ve got a car ready for electronic audio action. This year’s models is the first to also offer satellite radio. These details are certainly not expected in a $14,000 economy car, but there they are.
You’ll read some auto journalists’ gripes that the 11.9 cubic feet of cargo space is stingy but look at the price and say that. I mean, come on. Plus, the rear seats do fold down into a 60/40 split, which offers a little more room for cargo, at the expense of passenger space.
2009 Kia Rio Performance
The Rio boasts hefty 26-mpg city and 35-mpg highway rating. That might not seem as important as it did a year ago, but it’s still nice not to be wed to the gas pump. And when the fuel prices again rise, which Washington insiders predict may well happen, you’ll have even more reason to love those ratings.
But what you really get with the 1.6-liter engine is a smooth, solid ride with plentiful acceleration. Again, I drove the 4-speed automatic around town and on the Capitol Beltway and found it plenty energetic. Reports from those that drove the 5-speed manual overdrive version said the ride is even peppier. Braking was very responsive, thanks to the Rio's light weight.
I won’t say that I didn’t feel any highway bumps or hear any road noise during my jaunts, but it was fairly minimal and better than many cars priced at thousands more. Plus, the car was very nimble and quite responsive, never making me feel that I might be out of control, even when traveling at speeds up to 70 mph on the freeway.
If you want to make the most of the economic lag and boost your buying power, you owe it to yourself to consider the Kia Rio which Forbes.com recently named one of the "Most Fuel Efficient Cars for the Buck."