LX 4dr Hatchback
2012 Kia Rio5

2012 Rio5 Photos
Fun And Efficiency Without Glaring Faults It is an amusing conversation when Kia executives, from the United States and Korea, discuss their relationship with Hyundai. Kia Motors is partly owned by Hyundai Motor Company. As a result, the two share platforms, powertrains and an impressive research and development center in Namyang, Korea. But that is where the cooperation ends and the competitiveness takes over. Each of the automakers has their own top-secret design center, unique marketing teams and individual directorate. Ask Kia leaders about Hyundai and they will say the automaker is a fierce competitor. It is nearly as silly as watching two siblings who share the same parents argue that they are not related. The all-new Kia Rio 5-Door was bred from this curious relationship. Oddly enough, the uniquely competitive synergy may have made the compact hatchback all the better. We flew to the Republic of Korea on a mission. Our primary objective for this story was to drive Kia's new Rio 5-Door (we also took our first drive of the refreshed 2012 Soul at the same event), but our hosts filled our agenda with a tour of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group Namyang R&D Center and followed it with a visit to Kia's headquarters in downtown Seoul. Lastly, we capped the trip off with a feast at a traditional Korean BBQ with some of the company's top executives. It was sensory overload, Kia style, but our time spent with the Korean automaker was an invaluable behind-the-scenes look at the genetic code hidden deeply within the completely redesigned Rio. There is no hiding the fact that the new Rio 5-Door and new Hyundai Accent 5-Door share nearly identical mechanical DNA. From wheelbase to suspension to powertrain, these two are blood brothers. But that is where many of the similarities stop. While each company puts a unique vehicle on the table, both are fighting in the same segment. It is as if the town's sole award-winning kitchen is sending food to the two top restaurants and both are vehemently competing with each other for the same customers. We sampled the 2012 Hyundai Accent a few months ago and it left us impressed. Now it was our chance to try the 2012 Kia Rio - same basic ingredients, but a very different recipe. Unique C-pillar treatments aside, the Kia appears to be the sportier of the two compacts and the most European in execution. Credit its more aggressive front fascia, bright twin-pipe exhaust, blackened lower rear valance and a taillight treatment that emphasizes the width of the platform. Another tip-off is the wheel/tire package, with the Kia offering the better 17-inch alloys (205/45R17) in contrast to the smaller optional 16-inch alloys (195/50R16) on the Hyundai. Furthermore, while they share the identical wheelbase, the Kia is about three inches shorter and weighs about 200 pounds less than the Accent. It is interesting to note that the weight has been kept down, as the new Rio 5-Door is longer, wider and lower than its …
Full Review
Fun And Efficiency Without Glaring Faults It is an amusing conversation when Kia executives, from the United States and Korea, discuss their relationship with Hyundai. Kia Motors is partly owned by Hyundai Motor Company. As a result, the two share platforms, powertrains and an impressive research and development center in Namyang, Korea. But that is where the cooperation ends and the competitiveness takes over. Each of the automakers has their own top-secret design center, unique marketing teams and individual directorate. Ask Kia leaders about Hyundai and they will say the automaker is a fierce competitor. It is nearly as silly as watching two siblings who share the same parents argue that they are not related. The all-new Kia Rio 5-Door was bred from this curious relationship. Oddly enough, the uniquely competitive synergy may have made the compact hatchback all the better. We flew to the Republic of Korea on a mission. Our primary objective for this story was to drive Kia's new Rio 5-Door (we also took our first drive of the refreshed 2012 Soul at the same event), but our hosts filled our agenda with a tour of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group Namyang R&D Center and followed it with a visit to Kia's headquarters in downtown Seoul. Lastly, we capped the trip off with a feast at a traditional Korean BBQ with some of the company's top executives. It was sensory overload, Kia style, but our time spent with the Korean automaker was an invaluable behind-the-scenes look at the genetic code hidden deeply within the completely redesigned Rio. There is no hiding the fact that the new Rio 5-Door and new Hyundai Accent 5-Door share nearly identical mechanical DNA. From wheelbase to suspension to powertrain, these two are blood brothers. But that is where many of the similarities stop. While each company puts a unique vehicle on the table, both are fighting in the same segment. It is as if the town's sole award-winning kitchen is sending food to the two top restaurants and both are vehemently competing with each other for the same customers. We sampled the 2012 Hyundai Accent a few months ago and it left us impressed. Now it was our chance to try the 2012 Kia Rio - same basic ingredients, but a very different recipe. Unique C-pillar treatments aside, the Kia appears to be the sportier of the two compacts and the most European in execution. Credit its more aggressive front fascia, bright twin-pipe exhaust, blackened lower rear valance and a taillight treatment that emphasizes the width of the platform. Another tip-off is the wheel/tire package, with the Kia offering the better 17-inch alloys (205/45R17) in contrast to the smaller optional 16-inch alloys (195/50R16) on the Hyundai. Furthermore, while they share the identical wheelbase, the Kia is about three inches shorter and weighs about 200 pounds less than the Accent. It is interesting to note that the weight has been kept down, as the new Rio 5-Door is longer, wider and lower than its …
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Retail Price

$13,600 MSRP / Window Sticker Price
Engine 1.6L I-4
MPG 29 City / 37 Hwy
Seating 5 Passengers
Transmission 6-spd man w/OD
Power 138 @ 6300 rpm
Drivetrain front-wheel
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