KIA 2012 Rio Sedan Term: 36 /mo with $0 Down   $ /mo   (Miles per year: 10000)

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Car Description & Info

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2012 Kia Rio is available in both sedan and hatchback body styles, each with four doors. Trim levels are base LX, nicely equipped EX and sporty SX.

The LX comes with 15-inch steel wheels, power/heated mirrors, air-conditioning, a trip computer, a tilt steering wheel, a 60/40-split-folding rear seat and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and a USB/iPod interface. An optional Power package provides power windows and door locks with keyless entry.

The EX comes with all the above and adds a chrome grille frame, upgraded audio speakers, Bluetooth, cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a center console with sliding armrest, upgraded upholstery and metallic cabin accents. An optional EX Convenience package adds 15-inch alloy wheels, foglights, automatic headlights, a rearview camera, power-folding outside mirrors with integrated turn signals, a soft-touch dash top, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and Kia's "Uvo" voice-activated interface for electronics features.

The SX adds to all the above 17-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, dual exhaust tips, LED front accent/rear taillights and an upgraded gauge cluster display. An optional SX Premium package adds a sunroof, keyless ignition/entry, leather seating, heated front seats and a navigation system.

Powertrains and Performance

Every Rio is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 138 hp and 123 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the LX, with a six-speed automatic optional. Both the EX and SX come only with the six-speed automatic.

In Edmunds testing, a Rio SX did the 0-60 sprint in 9.7 seconds, an average time for the subcompact segment. Fuel economy estimates stand at 30 mpg city/40 mpg highway and 33 mpg combined for the automatic, with 30/40/34 for the manual.

Safety

The 2012 Kia Rio comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and hill start assist. Unlike most rivals that have a front disc/rear drum brake setup, the Rio has disc brakes all around. This undoubtedly contributed to its strong braking performance, as the Rio SX came to a stop from 60 mph in just 119 feet -- an excellent distance for an economy car.

Interior Design and Special Features

The Rio's cabin boasts very good build and materials quality. Although there is a lot of hard plastic trim, it is nicely grained and doesn't scream economy car. Indeed, in the upper trims, features such as a soft-touch dash top, sliding center armrest and tasteful metallic accents give the impression that the Rio is a cut above what you'd expect in this class.

The climate and audio controls are easy to use, as is the optional navigation system. The Uvo voice-activated telematics system is another nice bonus, although we've found it isn't quite as intuitive to use as the Fiesta's Sync system.

The coupe's rearward visibility is hampered by thick C-pillars and a small rear window. The rearview camera (a rare feature in this class) helps greatly while parallel parking. When it comes time to carry extra items, the sedan has a 13.7-cubic-foot trunk, a respectable figure. With its rear seats lowered, the hatchback can hold up to 49.8 cubic feet.

Driving Impressions

As we've only driven the sporty SX, these impressions pertain to that trim. With its firmer suspension tuning, the 2012 Kia Rio SX may surprise you with its agile nature. Crisp steering response and a buttoned-down attitude make the Rio a good choice for those who enjoy spirited drives on a curvy road. The price to pay is a firm ride that borders on harsh when the car encounters severely broken pavement.

Despite its impressive engine stats, the Rio isn't the quickest car off the line, and gearchanges from the automatic transmission are smooth but on the slow side. Still, it feels peppy in everyday driving and has more than enough power to keep up with traffic. Under hard acceleration, the engine remains smooth but can get rather noisy.