2009 Kia Rio 4dr Sdn Man

Introduction

For 2009, the biggest change is a new AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with SIRIUS Satellite Radio capabilities and complimentary service for three months; it's standard equipment on all models.

The Rio competes against the Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, Honda Fit, Chevrolet Aveo, and Hyundai Accent.

The Rio gets an EPA-rated City/Highway 27/33 miles per gallon with the manual transmission and 26/35 mpg with the automatic.

These are roomy cars. All models are powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder, a sophisticated, modern engine, with dual overhead camshafts and variable valve timing, which is rated at 110 horsepower. Rio comes standard with six airbags, a safety feature normally associated with expensive luxury cars, not subcompacts. The hatchback offers lots of cargo space. The Kia Rio is a fuel-efficient subcompact with a roomy cabin and agile handling. The Rio comes in a four-door sedan and a Rio5 five-door hatchback. The Rio offers agile handling, particularly the top models with their upgraded wheels and tires. This latest generation of subcompacts offers better fuel economy with little loss of interior space when compared to the larger, compact cars such as the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.

Walkaround

All models come with hefty black bodyside moldings that do not detract too badly, as they align nicely with the wraparound edges of the front and rear bumpers.

Despite significantly more carrying capacity (and identical passenger room), the Rio5 hatchback is 8.8 inches shorter than the sedan; for the record, it's an inch and a quarter shorter than even the Hyundai Accent Coupe.

The Kia Rio is based on the same platform as the Hyundai Accent.

The rear of the Rio5 is distinctive, with backup lights that wrap around the taillights and almost look like part of the body. Both share a solidly handsome front end with a strong nose and big headlights that give the car a purposeful appearance. It's a couple of inches lower in height than the Scion xD or Honda Fit, and a bit lower than the Chevrolet Aveo. The C-pillar curves down to the taillights, and the tailgate has full width glass, making the rear view more attractive than on many hatchbacks. The fender flares actually look a shade too big on the base and LX models, which have skinnier tires. The flares fill out much better on the SX with its lower-profile tires and 15-inch wheels. The Rio5 looks taller than the Rio sedan but it is actually the same overall height. The subtle bevel below the big side windows wraps neatly around the trunk, giving the Rio more the look of a European sports sedan than a Korean econobox. There is nothing wimpy looking about either of the Kia Rio models. We think that gives the Rio5 a trim and sporty look.

Driving Impression

Standard-issue brakes are 10.1-inch discs up front and 8.0-inch drums in the rear.

The automatic rates slightly higher on the highway, according to the EPA, with 35 mpg compared with the manual's 33 mpg.

The power steering, which stiffens up as the engine speed increases, felt taught with just the right amount of feel dialed in.

The Rio is more sporty and athletic than the Hyundai Accent, which uses the same basic structure.

We spent time in an LX automatic sedan and a Rio5 SX manual. Cars in this class traditionally suffer a big performance and fuel economy hit with an automatic, but the Rio confirms that modern transmissions have largely addressed these deficiencies. EPA estimates for city driving are more what you might expect, at 25 mpg for the automatic and 27 mpg for the manual. However, the LX with the automatic transmission was no slouch. Maximizing your chances of avoiding a crash is a good thing. Order the optional ABS and, in addition to the four-channel anti-lock system, rear brakes upgrade to 10.3-inch solid discs. That's a good upgrade and we strongly recommend it. The LX, with its skinner 14-inch tires, was not quite as secure, though most drivers will not complain. The Rio is far from being a sporty car, but the SX handled nimbly without too much body lean or sloppy motion. There's nothing exceptional about Rio's MacPherson strut front suspension or twist-beam rear axle, but Kia designed them for long wheel travel, a characteristic long favored by European automakers for combining a comfortable ride with responsive handling. We did not try a base model, which comes without power steering. We enjoyed shifting the manual as it definitely makes for a more sporty experience. We've driven most versions of the Kia Rio and are impressed with it.

Interior

Cargo capacity is increased via a folding rear seatback with a 60/40 split for added versatility.

Cubby storage is in the form of a reasonable size glovebox and big storage pockets in all four doors.

Rear-seat legroom is better than the numbers suggest, because passengers can place their feet under the front seats thanks to the generous open space below them.

Sporty trim makes the SX models nicer and more appealing to driving enthusiasts.

The interior of the Kia Rio features a nicely contoured dashboard with a generous binnacle over the instrument panel, which includes a tachometer even on the base model.

The radio is well positioned in the center stack with large buttons and knobs for changing stations or volume.

The seats are on the soft side and don't offer the lateral support we'd expect on a sports sedan. A chrome Kia logo brightens the center of the steering wheel hub. A slot in the center stack holds parking passes or toll tickets. At 92.2 cubic feet, the subcompact Rio's total passenger volume is comparable to that of the two most popular compacts, the Honda Civic (90.9) and Toyota Corolla (92.0). Below the radio, three big knobs for the climate controls are mounted on a bulge in the center stack that brings them closer to the driver's hands. Even with the rear seats up for passengers, the Rio5 has an impressive 15.8 cubic feet of cargo space. Fabrics are good-looking, on the door panels as well as the seats. Metal pedals and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob add tactile as well as visual excitement, while matching red stitching on the steering wheel, shift boot, and seat bolsters helps tie the whole interior together as a cohesive whole. The Kia Rio is a roomy car. The Rio5 has a total cargo carrying a capacity of almost 50 cubic feet with the back seats folded down, substantially more than in other hatchbacks in this class. The sedan's trunk measures 11.9 cubic feet, which is not bad for the class. Those of us with larger frames, however, will not fault Kia for that, as we can use the extra width.

Summary

NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent John Rettie is based in Santa Barbara. All models get Kia's generous five-year/60,000-mile warranty coupled with a 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty. All Rios come with a comprehensive set of passive safety features; even the base model boasts six airbags. The Kia Rio is an enjoyable car that's easy to live with. We found the Rio5 SX the most enjoyable, with its combination of hatchback versatility and sporty and luxury touches.

Liked Most

"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."
By AUTOSITE.COM

"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."
By AUTOSITE.COM

"The black-plastic trapezoidal mesh grille residing betwixt the angular headlamps looks serious. Directly below, the tall bumper with black plastic whiskers protruding on either side adds a sense of aggressiveness."
By CAR AND DRIVER

"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."
By CARS.COM

"The dash is well dressed, with simple, pleasantly arranged controls in the center stack. Contrasting materials and touches like dual powerpoints convey a more upscale flavor than expected--an impression supported by the tight component fit."
By MOTOR TREND

Liked Least

"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."
By AUTOSITE.COM

"The automatic hunts endlessly for gears while heading uphill and produces an unpleasant grinding sound at highway speeds."
By CAR AND DRIVER

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

"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."
By MOTOR TREND

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

One-Liners " You get what you pay for. ...value is no longer the only reason to buy one. Still bottom dollar, but no longer cheap. Doing the math with six standard airbags, thrifty fuel economy, and more interior room, the Rio5 adds up to a smart buy."

Car Connection Review

2009 KIA RIO STYLING | [7 out of 10]
Cars.com: "subtle wedge shape, with sculpted arches at each fender"

Car and Driver: "it looks like something you might actually want to drive"

Edmunds: "some cheap plastic trim"

Experts at TheCarConnection.com are fans of the styling of the 2009 Kia Rio. It's not amazing, but it's pretty impressive for the price.

The 2009 Kia Rio has two body styles to choose from: the Kia Rio four-door sedan and the five-door. Kelley Blue Book thinks it's "quite the looker," and J.D. Power says the Kia's "European-influenced appearance imparts a sporty and youthful character into an entry-level automobile." Cars.com touts the exterior features that give both Rios a decent amount of pizzazz: a black mesh grille, "swept-back" headlights, bumpers with black inserts, and black body-side moldings. According to Cars.com, the Rio's profile has what Kia calls a "subtle wedge shape, with sculpted arches at each fender."

Compared to earlier models, the Rio has a "higher quality feel both inside and out," says Kelley Blue Book. On the interior of the 2009 Kia Rio, this translates into good fittings and smart design choices. According to Edmunds, the cabin of the 2009 Kia Rio, especially in beige, has an "airy feel that is unusual for a car in this price range." Cars.com notes the "chrome dashboard accents" of the Rio SX.

Conclusion: The 2009 Kia Rio offers kicky, amusing styling that is several notches above its price tag.



2009 KIA RIO PERFORMANCE | [6 out of 10]

Kelley Blue Book: "even when the pavement gets troublesome, the Rio's suspension absorbs considerable roughness"

Cars.com: "adding a few horsepower can make quite a difference in a small sedan"

Car and Driver: "one of those rare cases where the automatic gets better fuel mileage than the manual"

The 2009 Kia Rio doesn't offer outstanding performance--but it's certainly better than expected.

According to Edmunds, "Every 2009 Kia Rio is powered by a 1.6-liter inline-4 with 110 horsepower and 107 pound-feet of torque." Unfortunately, Car and Driver complains that it takes the 2009 Kia Rio "11.5 seconds to run to 60 mph, which certainly doesn't win any awards." Kelley Blue Book mentions that "Kia has raised the power of its 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, which drives either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission." Cars.com is more than pleased with the performance of this year's Kia Rio, saying, "Adding a few horsepower can make quite a difference in a small sedan."

Cars.com finds that the redesigned Kia Rio shows improvement over "its original performance, even with automatic transmission." The Rio Kia's automatic does provide swift, well-timed shifts; according to Cars.com, the automatic transmission in the 2009 Kia Rio works smoothly "without any lurching or noticeable gear changes," but Edmunds rates the automatic transmission as "slightly below standard" when it comes to acceleration. The 2009 Kia Rio's manual transmission is an appealing choice for those wanting a sporty vehicle, and Edmunds says, "As expected, the manual transmission makes the Rio more sprightly and fun to drive," noting that "a five-speed manual transmission is standard across the board, while a four-speed automatic is optional on all but the base sedan."

Car and Driver says that, surprisingly, the automatic transmission "gets better fuel mileage than the manual, in this case 3 more mpg, for a highway figure of 35," according to EPA city/highway estimates. Kelley Blue Book agrees, stating, "Fuel economy is excellent," especially its EPA-rated 35 mpg on the highway when equipped with the four-speed automatic.

"Steering is light in the Kia Rio," but "the Rio is delightfully nimble in urban environments, tracks adeptly on straightaways and is easy to guide into turns," in Kelley Blue Book's opinion. Edmunds adds that when "pushed through corners, the Rio responds with predictable body roll and unexpectedly crisp steering"; however, they also state "the suspension isn't as composed over broken pavement as we'd like," saying that "large impacts tend to shudder through the cabin." The Rio Kia LX and SX come equipped with front disc/rear drums; in addition, "4 wheel disc brakes" and "4 wheel ABS brakes" are available options on both models, according to Cars.com. Both models have rack-and-pinion, speed-sensitive steering. Kelley Blue Book finds that "even when the pavement gets troublesome, the Rio's suspension absorbs considerable roughness."

Conclusion: The 2009 Kia Rio is no racer, but its fuel economy, steering, and road manners are all quite good.



2009 KIA RIO COMFORT AND QUALITY | [7 out of 10]

Edmunds: "the materials quality is generally above average, though some trim isn't up to Honda levels"

Kelley Blue Book: "front occupants get ample space on supportive and well-cushioned seats"

Cars.com: "ride comfort is another plus"

Overall, most reviewers note that the 2009 Kia Rio offers plenty of interior space and remarkably good materials quality.

The Rio Kia seats five, and "seat comfort is very good for most body types, though drivers north of 6 feet tall may get fidgety after more than an hour behind the wheel," Edmunds says. And while a fold-down armrest is standard for the driver in the 2009 Kia Rio, Edmunds would "prefer a more traditional center console box that provides this feature for both front occupants along with handy storage space."

In the rear, "the back seat headroom is a bit tight for 6-footers," though legroom is "fully adequate and the tall bench provides good thigh support," according to Edmunds. Kelley Blue Book concurs, saying that the "front seats are roomy and comfortable in the Kia Rio, but the rear seat is hard and reclines excessively." Cars.com states, "Legroom even in the outer positions is marginal when the front seat is moved appreciably rearward"; additionally, "the hard rear seatback is reclined too far for true comfort" in the Kia Rio. Woe to the person in the middle, warns Kelley Blue Book, because "the center occupant straddles a tunnel."

According to Cars.com, "Increased exterior dimensions translate to more interior capacity in the five-passenger Rio. The 2009 Kia Rio's trunk is now 11.9 cubic feet." ConsumerGuide points out the rear seat doesn't lie flat; instead, "it rests above the level of trunk floor, and the opening is cramped." Other storage problems include the release, which "is awkwardly placed toward the center of the seats," and the "trunklid hinges dip into the load area," observes Kelley Blue Book.

When it comes to fit and finish, the 2009 Kia Rio gets mixed reviews. Edmunds says "the materials quality is generally above average, though some trim isn't up to Honda levels"; they specifically complain about "some cheap plastic trim." According to ConsumerGuide, "most cabin surfaces are hard plastic, and padded surfaces are pretty much out of the question." The reviewer admits, however, that "Rio equals some costlier cars for materials and assembly quality."

Engine noise in the 2009 Kia Rio is something of a problem. The engine can get loud in the Rio while being brought up to freeway speed; it becomes a smooth cruise afterward. As Kelley Blue Book explains, "the engine gets seriously buzzy when accelerating, it quiets nicely at speed." "The engine emits considerable buzz and blare when pushed hard," complains Cars.com. Car and Driver gripes that the four-speed automatic produces "a grinding sound at highway speeds, not our soundtrack of choice to accompany five-hour journeys." Edmunds, however, reports that "at 75 mph, the cabin is hushed."

Conclusion: The 2009 Kia Rio could use more rear seat space--but most passengers will be comfortable.



2009 KIA RIO SAFETY [6 out of 10]

IIHS: "Acceptable," frontal impact; "poor," side impact; "poor," rear impact

NHTSA: Five stars, frontal impact; three and four stars, side impact

Cars.com: "visibility is unobstructed"

Kelley Blue Book: "low cowl and sizable rear glass help create nearly unobstructed visibility"

Edmunds: "a score of Poor (the lowest possible) in that agency's side-impact test"

Experts at TheCarConnection.com like the airbags that come standard in the 2009 Kia Rio--but crash-test scores are underwhelming at best.

The 2009 Kia Rio gets mixed results in governmental safety ratings. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the Rio a "poor" rating for rear impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety issues a score of "acceptable" (the second highest of four) in frontal offset tests and "poor" (the lowest possible) in that agency's side impact test for the Kia Rio. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awards it five stars in front passenger, front impact protection, but only four stars in driver-side front impact protection. In side impact protection, the Rio garners only three stars.

ConsumerGuide lists an emergency inside trunk lid release as an "important safety feature." Another standard safety feature on the Kia Rio is "Child Door Locks," states Kelley Blue Book. All 2009 Kia Rio models come standard with front, curtain, and side seat-mounted airbags. Other standard safety features for the Rio Kia are occupancy sensors and front seat pre-tensioners.

Most safety features are standard on the Kia Rio, but "anti-lock disc brakes are optional on those higher trim levels as well," according to Edmunds. This is a lapse; the Kia Rio would be much safer with standard anti-lock brakes.

Cars.com states, "Visibility is unobstructed." Kelley Blue Book likes the fact that the "low cowl and sizable rear glass help create nearly unobstructed visibility."

Conclusion: The 2009 Kia Rio has mixed crash-test scores. Airbag availability is good, but it's unfortunate that the vehicle lacks standard anti-lock brakes.



2009 KIA RIO FEATURES | [7 out of 10]

Kelley Blue Book: "those willing to spend a bit more cash can equip this little entry-level econobox with upscale features"

Edmunds: "the sporty SX versions add foglights"

Cars.com: "standard equipment includes variable intermittent wipers and a rear-window defroster"

The 2009 Kia Rio offers some features that aren't found on other subcompacts, but it's bested by competitors in its class.

On the base 2009 Kia Rio, "standard equipment includes an eight-way manually adjustable driver's seat, variable intermittent wipers and a rear-window defroster," notes Car and Driver. Additionally, Edmunds states that "those who prefer the five-door hatchback body style now have a cheaper way in, as the hatch previously only came in the top-dog SX trim level." Edmunds complains "cruise control isn't available." ConsumerGuide reports such comfort and convenience features in the base model as "cloth upholstery, front bucket seats w/height-adjustable driver seat, center console, tachometer, rear defogger, variable-intermittent wipers, automatic-off headlights."

The SX comes equipped with "Fog/driving lights," which is not an option on the LX, according to Cars.com. The LX adds popular features, including "wider tires, air-conditioning, power steering, a 60/40-split-folding rear seat, a tilt steering wheel and a CD player with an auxiliary audio jack," says Edmunds.

Extra features in the Kia Rio LX and the Kia Rio SX include "air conditioning, a CD stereo with four speakers, a tilt steering column and a 60/40-split folding rear seat," according to Cars.com. They add that in the 2009 Kia Rio, there is now "an auxiliary input jack for MP3 players in the LX and SX. The cupholder design has also been revised, and there's a new center gauge cluster and redesigned shift knobs for both the automatic and manual transmissions."

Both the 2009 Kia Rio LX and SX have options for remote keyless entry and illuminated entry, power locks, and heated mirrors. Options for the Rio Kia SX include "the Power package (which adds full power features, keyless entry and tweeter speakers) and 16-inch alloy wheels," notes Edmunds. New for 2009 are standard USB ports on LX and SX models, as well as available Sirius Satellite Radio.

Conclusion: The 2009 Kia Rio offers some of the same features you'll find in competitors like the Honda Fit--but Kia hasn't quite caught up all the way.