Kia Rio5 Reviews

"Unlike the previous four-door Rio and Cinco wagon, the redesigned sedan and five-door Rio5 add a bit of styling flair to the compact car segment. The front end features a black mesh grille, black air dam insert, and more pronounced hood lines. The side flanks add sporty wheel flares, and the rear end has been reshaped for a cleaner appearance."

"The hatchback...can hold 15.8 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seat. With that seat folded, space increases to 49.6 cubic feet."

"Rio buyers may want to opt for the optional antilock brake package, that adds not only ABS but also 262-mm solid rear disc brakes and electronic brake force distribution."

"Acceleration is average at highway speeds with either the manual or...4-speed automatic transmission."

"Company executives claim they haven't yet conducted acceleration tests, but it's safe to say this baby Kia won't be keeping the Corvette Z06 up at night."

"Key differentiators that set the LX and SX apart and above the base Rio include a tilt steering column, four-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system, and air conditioning -- none of which are even available as options in the entry-level car."

"We recommend against the automatic. It hunts endlessly for gears while heading uphill and produces an unpleasant grinding sound at highway speeds."

"...value is no longer the only reason to buy one."

"Doing the math with six standard airbags, thrifty fuel economy, and more interior room, the Rio5 adds up to a smart buy. "