Kia took the wraps off of the new North American-market version of its Rio subcompact today the auto show. Boasting a 40 mpg highway rating, the Rio also reduces urban fuel consumption with an available start/stop mode that helps it earn a 30 mpg city rating.
Rio is powered by a 1.6-liter direct-injected four-cylinder gas engine in North America. Mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic, the Rio is rated at 138 horsepower – a top figure for the class. Kia’s first stop/start system, which the automaker calls ISG, turns the subcompact’s engine off when the vehicle is sitting at a complete stop. Once the brake pedal is released, the gas engine fires back up instantly. The stop/start mode comes on Eco Package-equipped Rios, which also add an Eco mode that optimizes driving characteristics to save fuel.
The 2011 Kia Rio subcompact comes in two body styles: a four-door sedan and a four-door hatchback known as the Rio5.
The Rio sedan is offered in three trim levels: the affordable base model, the better-equipped LX and the sporty SX. The Rio5 wagon is available in the LX and SX trims only. The base sedan includes 14-inch steel wheels, power mirrors, a tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery and a four-speaker CD/MP3 stereo with auxiliary/USB audio input jacks and satellite radio.
The LX adds power steering, antilock brakes, air-conditioning and 60/40-split-folding rear seatbacks. The top-of-the-line SX model adds 16-inch alloy wheels, foglights, a rear spoiler, heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signals, power windows, remote keyless entry, cruise control, upgraded cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, Bluetooth and two additional speakers. An optional Value package is available on the LX and adds many of the SX's features. Also available on the LX are 15-inch alloy wheels.
The Rio rides on an all-new platform that is larger in every dimension than the outgoing Rio. Stretching to 171.9 inches (for the sedan) or 159.3 inches (for the hatchback, known as Rio 5), the Rio is fairly large by class standards. Suspension-wise, a MacPherson strut setup keeps the front wheels on the ground, while a torsion beam rear axle does duty out back.
Although the Rio 5 hatchback debuted earlier this year in Geneva in European spec, the sedan made its first appearance today in New York. Penned in Irvine, California, the Rio sedan is aimed primarily at the North American market. Both the sedan and the five-door hatchback will be available to North American consumers.
With strong hints pulled from other recent Kia models like the Optima and Sportage, the Rio boasts far more style than its dowdy predecessor.
Exterior
The Rio features a black mesh grille and swept-back headlights. It's available as a sedan or hatchback, which Kia calls the Rio5. Exterior features include:
*Available 14-, 15- or 16-inch wheels
*Standard auto-off headlamps
*Optional heated and power-operated side mirrors
*Optional rear spoiler
*Optional fog lamps
Interior
The interior is fairly conservative. SX models include metal-finish dashboard accents, unique sport seat fabric and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob with red stitching. Interior features include:
*Optional air conditioning
*Optional 60/40-split bench seat
*Optional power windows and locks
*Optional keyless entry
*Optional steering-wheel-mounted audio controls
*Optional USB interface for MP3 players
*Optional floormats
The 2011 Kia Rio and Rio5 are powered by a 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine that produces 110 horsepower and 107 pound-feet of torque. The base model receives a standard five-speed manual transmission while the LX and SX trims get a four-speed automatic.
Performance takes a backseat to economy, as a Rio 5 we tested accelerated from zero to 60 mph in a leisurely 11.5 seconds. On the plus side, the Rio returns favorable fuel economy. With a manual transmission, the EPA estimates mileage at 28 mpg city/34 mpg highway and 31 mpg in combined driving. The automatic is rated at 27/36/30 mpg.
While the 2011 Kia Rio's 1.6-liter engine is rather noisy at higher rpm, it does provide a decent amount of pep. Operating the base Rio's manual transmission is enjoyable, thanks to a smooth clutch and precise shifter action. The automatic isn't nearly as lively, but gearchanges are smooth and relatively quick. The Rio's handling is solid and predictable, aided by surprisingly precise steering. The effect of driving over potholes and other road imperfections is quite unforgiving on passengers, but otherwise the ride quality is decent, with a relatively quiet highway ride.
The 2011 Kia Rio comes standard with side-impact airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Antilock brakes are standard on the Rio LX and SX models. Stability control isn't offered.
The Kia Rio has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash testing procedures. Its 2010 ratings (which aren't comparable to 2011 tests) resulted in four stars (out of a possible five) for driver protection and five stars for passenger protection in frontal impacts. For side impacts, the Rio earned four stars for front-seat occupants and three stars for rear-seat passengers.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Rio a score of "Acceptable" (the second highest of four) in frontal-offset crashes and a score of "Poor" (the lowest possible) in its side-impact test.
Safety features include:
*Standard side-impact airbags
*Standard side curtain airbags
*Standard child-safety locks
*Optional antilock brakes with rear discs (LX and SX)
reference:www.leftlanenews.com,www.cars.com,www.edmunds.com
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