Kia Motors America today pulled the wraps off its latest model, one that reflects the company's reputation for building affordable, high-quality vehicles. The all-new Kia Rio subcompact sedan houses state-of-the-art technology in a contemporary wedge-shaped body, and its price is expected to make it one of the most affordable sedans in America.


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The Rio is being introduced to the public at the Chicago Auto Show, and it will go on sale at more than 570 Kia dealers nationwide late this summer. The addition of the Rio brings the Kia U.S. model lineup to five vehicles: Sephia compact sedan, Sportage sport-utility vehicle, Sportage 2-Door Convertible and the just-introduced Spectra sporty hatchback sedan, which will go on sale in late spring.

The Rio will carry on Kia's winning formula of providing a higher level of quality and features than buyers expect at the model's low price. The exterior styling, called "Power Round Design" by its creative team, combines gentle contours with angular shapes to produce a contemporary car that looks like nothing else on the road. The exterior design features such unexpected upscale touches as a chrome grille surround and multi-reflector headlamps with clear lenses.

Inside the Rio continues to use rounded contours with comfort as the theme. The cabin features extensive head room and leg room, and its higher-than-normal seats give the driver and passengers a command-of-the-road feel. The driver's seat is height-adjustable and also features an integral fold-down armrest. The instruments are housed in an ergonomically designed dashboard that relays information quickly, and the switchgear is exceptionally simple to use. Even the steering wheel has received special treatment - a membrane-type horn switch that makes locating the horn easy in emergencies.

The Rio's contemporary design continues in the engine compartment. The all-new MI-Tech (Millennium Innovation Technology) powerplant has all the right stuff, including dual overhead cams and tuned intake and exhaust manifolds. The 1.5-liter engine produces 108 peak horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 103 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm. Backing up the engine is a five-speed manual transmission or an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission, which is equipped with a new variable-force solenoid for quieter, smoother shifts.

The Rio's compact exterior dimensions make it maneuverable and easy to park. It's 165.9 inches long and reasonably tall at 56.7 inches in height for better head room and convenient ingress and egress. The 94.9-inch wheelbase contributes to the Rio's handling as does the independent MacPherson strut front suspension. The rear suspension is an elegantly simple torsion beam with coil springs. Steering is by rack-and-pinion, which is power-assisted in the uplevel version.

On the safety front, the Rio uses Kia's exclusive CIAS (Crush Impact Absorbing Structure) body design, which combines minimal weight with maximum strength. Stopping power is provided by ventilated front disc and rear drum brakes. Not only is an antilock brake system available, it is also equipped with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) that apportions braking power between the front and rear axles, depending on load.

Two upgrade packages will be available on the Rio. The base version will feature a variety of added touches like rear window defroster, tinted glass, full cloth interior and center console. One upgrade package will add power steering, full wheelcovers and body-color bodyside molding. Another package will feature those additions plus tilt steering wheel, dual visor vanity mirrors and body-color outside mirrors. On the freestanding option list are automatic transmission, air conditioning, two audio systems, body color rear spoiler, alloy wheels and antilock brakes.

Like all the hot-selling Kia models, the Rio will be covered by two very impressive warranties: a three-year/36,000-mile basic limited vehicle warranty and five-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain coverage.  - Autoworld.com

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