2009 Kia Rio
Introduction
Subcompact cars used to be strictly a low budget, no frills proposition. In the past, cars like the Kia Rio offered basic transportation and not much else, and the competition wasn't much better. However, given the recent interest in fuel economy and the fairly high price of most hybrids, subcompact cars are getting a new lease on life. The
Rio is a good example. When it was completely redesigned a few years ago, it became more pleasant to look at and to drive.
As Kia's smallest car, the 2009
Rio boasts the brand's smallest price, making it one of the least expensive new cars you can buy in the
United States. It also delivers respectable fuel economy, looks sharp in SX trim and is backed by Kia's stellar warranty. Two body styles, the sedan and the Rio5 four-door hatchback, are available to provide more of a choice to potential buyers. It all stacks up to make the
Rio a pretty decent daily driver.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2009 Kia Rio is a subcompact available as a sedan or a four-door hatchback. The sedan comes in base, LX and SX trim levels, while the Rio5 hatchback comes in LX and SX trims only. The base sedan is bare-bones, coming standard with 14-inch steel wheels and a four-speaker stereo with a CD/MP3 player and satellite radio. The LX adds popular features such as air-conditioning, power steering, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, a tilt steering wheel and an auxiliary audio jack. The SX trim level adds fog lights, 15-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, metallic interior accents, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and upgraded cloth trim.
Optional for the LX and SX is a power package that adds full power accessories, keyless entry and tweeter speakers. Sixteen-inch alloy wheels are additionally available for the SX.
Safety
Front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags are standard on all Kia Rios. The LX and the SX trims also come with adjustable rear headrests. Anti-Lock disc brakes are optional on those higher trim levels as well.
In government frontal-impact crash testing, the 2009 Kia Rio scored four stars (4 stars) for driver protection and five stars (5 stars) for passenger protection. In its side-impact test, the Kia Rio earned four stars (4 stars) for front-occupant protection. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing yielded a score of "acceptable".
Interior Design and Special Features
The
Rio's cabin, especially in beige, has an airy feel unexpected in this price segment. The materials quality is generally above average. Seat comfort is very good for most body types, although drivers north of 6 feet tall may get fidgety after more than an hour behind the wheel. A fold-down armrest is standard for the driver, but we'd prefer a more traditional center console box that provides this feature for both front occupants along with handy storage space. In back, headroom is a bit tight for 6-footers, but legroom is fully adequate and the tall bench provides good thigh support. The Rio5, with its rear seats lowered, can take on up to 49.6 cubic feet of cargo.
Driving Impressions
The
Rio's 1.6-liter engine gets noisy at high rpm but provides decent punch, especially with the manual transmission. Precise action and a smooth clutch make shifting the manual gearbox enjoyable. The
Rio's ride is smooth and stable, and even at 75 mph, the cabin is hushed. Pushed through corners, the 2009 Kia Rio responds with predictable body roll and unexpectedly crisp steering.
Awards and Accolades
Each year independent journalists and experts in the automotive industry recognize outstanding vehicles in areas such as design, safety and overall reliability. You can use these awards as a guide in the decision-making process.
Named a Consumer Guide Best Buy 2008
Named on Edmunds lowest cost to own list for 2008 Motor Trend reports the Kia Rio defines entry-level respectable
Named a best car on the Thrifty 50 list by U.S. News & World Report
Cars.com reports Kia Rio Best Bang for the Buck
Edmonds.com lists Kia Rifo among Top 10 Most Fuel Efficient Cars
Edmunds.com named Kia Rio an Editors Most Wanted Sedan
Greenercars.org lists Kia Rio among the Top 12 Greenest Vehicles of 2007
Edmunds Editor's Most Wanted Vehicle for 2007
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