Autoblog

Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent and Chevy Sonic top Consumer Reports subcompact shootout

Zach Bowman — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Toyota

Consumer Reports has just wrapped up an evaluation of subcompact sedans, and the Kia Rio EX has rolled out ahead of the class. The four-door beat out its corporate clone, the Hyundai Accent and the Chevrolet Sonic to take the top spot. Evaluators pointed to the sharp handling and well-optioned interior in the Rio as reasons for the vehicle's win. The newly redesigned Nissan Versa and unloved Toyota Yaris filled out the top five sedans. And what of the baby hatchbacks? CR once again credited the Honda Fit as leader of the pack, followed closely by the Versa Hatchback and Rio Hatchback.

The organization found fault with the base Chevrolet Sonic's fuel economy, and found the turbocharged LTZ model to be too expensive. Evaluators also felt the Sonic Turbo "didn't live up to its sporty aspirations."

We'll politely agree to disagree on that one.

All of the vehicles in the evaluation are either too new or scored too low in CR evaluations to earn a coveted Recommended rating. Hit the jump for a look at the full press release and debate amongst yourselves in Comments.

Continue reading Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent and Chevy Sonic top Consumer Reports subcompact shootout

Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent and Chevy Sonic top Consumer Reports subcompact shootout originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia expands racing program with Rio-based B-spec race car

Noah Joseph — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: SEMA Show, Hatchback, Kia, Racing

Of all the things that you could call a Kia, "racy" isn't the one that jumps first to mind. But the budget-oriented Korean automaker has been competing in Grand-Am, and is stepping things up (or down) a notch with the racer you see here.

Built for the B-Spec showroom stock class, this Rio five-door has been fitted with the requisite safety features (like a stripped-out cabin and roll cage) but little else. Kinetic Motorsports did the preparation work with an eye on numerous different racing series, but we'll have to wait another couple of weeks until SEMA when the car's set to be unveiled for all the details. In the meantime you can click the above image to view in high resolution and follow the jump for the brief announcement.

Continue reading Kia expands racing program with Rio-based B-spec race car

Kia expands racing program with Rio-based B-spec race car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2011: 2012 Kia Rio falls in line with the rest of its swoopy family

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Kia, Diesel

2012 Kia Rio - Click above for high-res image gallery

The fourth-generation 2012 Kia Rio has made its world debut in front of the 2011 Geneva Motor Show crowd. From the subtle swooping body lines to the front grille, the all-new Rio now resembles the rest of the Kia family.

For the 2012 model year, the Kia Rio has become longer (3/4-inch), wider (1-inch) and lower (1/2-inch). Kia has pushed the wheelbase out to 101-inches, an increase of nearly three-inches over the outgoing Rio.

Available as a five-door or three-door, the 2012 Rio is offered with a choice between four engines and three transmissions. The two gas-burning options are a 1.25-liter inline-4 producing 83 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 87 pound-feet of torque, or a 1.4-liter four-cylinder that produces 108 hp and 100 lb-ft of torque. Two turbocharged diesel options are available; a 1.1-liter triple that generates 81 horses and 69 pound-feet of torque or a 1.4-liter unit producing 89 hp and 159 lb-ft. Both diesel burners and the 1.4-liter gas engine are paired with a six-speed manual while the 1.25-liter gas-sipper gets a five-speed manual transmission. The 1.4-liter gasoline engine is also available with a four-speed automatic.

No word yet on which engines and door configurations are headed to the States, but we do expect for this much better looking hatchback to supplant the aging Rio here in North America soon. While you're waiting, check out our galleries below and the official presser after the jump.

Gallery: 2012 Kia Rio: Geneva 2011

Gallery: 2012 Kia Rio

Continue reading Geneva 2011: 2012 Kia Rio falls in line with the rest of its swoopy family

Geneva 2011: 2012 Kia Rio falls in line with the rest of its swoopy family originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia Soul gets yet another UK special edition

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:05:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Kia, UK

Kia's UK Soul Echo, Picanto and Rio special editions - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Kia Soul has another set of special-edition duds to wear in the UK. This time it's called the Soul Echo, latest in the Soul Originals line, following such others as the Tempest, Burner, Samba and Shaker. The Echo is offered in Clear White or Quartz Black Metallic, with stripes and accents that make them mirror images; e.g., the white Echo gets black alloys, the black Echo gets white alloys. Interior kit has been upgraded to black leather throughout, along with a beefier audio system; Bluetooth and iPod compatibility; and reversing sensors, in addition to a few other electro-gizmo add-ons. It's priced at £13,995 on the road.

A little further down the food chain are Domino editions of the Kia Picanto and Rio. Both superminis are bathed in white or black domino paint jobs and add a few options such as air conditioning. The Picanto Domino goes for £7,995 OTR , the Rio Domino for £9,295 OTR. Follow the jump fo Kia's press release, and view the cars' metallic monochrome goodness in the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Kia goes Black and White for 2010

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading Kia Soul gets yet another UK special edition

Kia Soul gets yet another UK special edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First shots of updated Kia Rio surface... is it headed for the States?

Alex Nunez — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 18:37:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Kia

Kia Pride/Rio facelift - Click above for a photo gallery

Slowly but surely, Kia's new corporate look is filtering through its entire lineup. We've seen it in play on the Forte range, the Soul, and the updated Sorento so far. Now you can add the entry-level Rio to the list. At least we think you can. The photo above shows the newly-facelifted South Korean domestic-market Kia Pride (the Kia Rio in the U.S. market), which is reportedly set to go on sale shortly. As you can see, the car boasts an revamped front fascia, sporting Kia's dog-bone grille, new lighting, and a rehaped, Ford-like lower air intake. As for the car's tail, we'll have to wait and see -- pics haven't hit the web yet.

Kia-World.net, which was first online with the new shots, also reports that the interior is also revised, featuring a new steering wheel, a mildly reconfigured center stack, updated instrumentation, and a stereo system with integrated Bluetooth connectivity. Will we get this update Stateside as the 2010 Kia Rio? Well, the Rio's certainly due for a freshening, so we don't see why not, especially as the automaker makes a move toward a more unified, distinct styling language. Hat tip to Andy R.

Gallery: 2010 Kia Pride / Kia Rio

[Source: Kia-World.net]

First shots of updated Kia Rio surface... is it headed for the States? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Jul 2009 18:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top Gear USA: Howie Mandel, Melanie B to flog Kia Rio

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:56:00 EST

Filed under: Kia, Celebrities

What would Top Gear be without a star in a reasonably priced car? Well... better, for one thing. But that hasn't stopped NBC from porting over the red-headed step-child of Top Gear segments to the imported version of the show. According to Jalopnik, during tomorrow's taping, ~~B-listers~~ ~~C-listers~~ D-listers Howie Mandel and Melanie B (former Spice Girl) will be piloting the U.S.'s own version of a reasonably-priced car - a Kia Rio - around the newly minted Top Gear test track. What can we expect? Nothing good, we thinks. Nor does it bode well that both pseudo-celebs are part of the NBC franchise. Depressed? We thought so. But the taping is tomorrow, so we'll try to remain upbeat until the first reports from inside the studio surface.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Top Gear USA: Howie Mandel, Melanie B to flog Kia Rio originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Testing a full slate of cheap cars

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 16:26:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Chevrolet, Honda, Kia, Nissan, Saturn, Toyota

They miss the Yugo, godblessum. Those wacky guys at Slate long for the days when a new car could be had for less than the price of a modern television set. Surveying the bargain basement offerings of the automotive world, they found that only the Chevy Aveo can be had for under 10 grand, let alone the four thousand bucks a Yugo stickered for 20 years ago. Even at an adjusted-for-inflation price of $7500, the Yugo GV earns its initials and indeed represents a Great Value. Well, you get what you pay for. Anyway, Slate rounded up a field of econoboxes for a brief comparison test to see what you can realistically expect at the bottom end of the scale.

Slate's Seth Stevenson, an admitted cheapskate who drives a '96 Saturn with 103,000 miles on it, laments the fact that the lowest rung of the car market actually spans $12,000 to $17,000 nowadays. But what exactly do you get for that much cash? More than some might guess in a few cases. Mainly in response to escalating gas prices, several automakers have brought thrifty new models out to make the bargain hunters happy. Slate tried out the Saturn Ion, the Kia Rio, the Nissan Versa, the Scion xA, the Toyota Yaris, and the Honda Fit. When he went in to rent a Chevy Aveo, the counter agent told him, "You do not want to drive that car." So he skipped it. We don't want to spoil the rankings, but after trying cars that were too boring, too jerky, and even too flashy, he finally found one that was a perfect fit. Click through for the car-by-car reviews.

Thanks for helping us fill our slate, smj!

[Source: Slate]

Testing a full slate of cheap cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Oct 2006 16:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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