2012 Kia Rio Review

2012 Kia Rio Review

Bruce Sheridan

Overview

Getting a redesign for this year seems to have given the 2012 Kia Rio the edge it needed to become one of the most competitive subcompact cars on the market. Not only does it have incredible fuel economy and more standard features than most other cars in the subcompact segment, it also comes at a very low price. While it is not a clear front runner in any category, it is competitive with any of the other subcompact cars in terms of performance and interior space. Subcompact cars are not perfect for everyone, but if affordable and comfortable commuting on a budget is the kind of new car deals you are looking for, you can not go wrong with the 2012 Kia Rio.

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2012 Kia Rio

Starting MSRP	Max City / Hwy MPG
$13,400	30 / 40

Pros	Cons
Very low price	Interior not very spacious
Great fuel economy	Average performance
Many standard features

Trims

The 2012 Kia Rio, in both its sedan and hatchback models, come in three different trims. The inexpensive LX trim, the middle EX trim, and the high end SX trim. The LX starts at just $13,400, the EX at $16,300 and the SX at $17,500. It is really not a big spread in pricing from the lowest to the highest, and your choice between them really comes down to how much you want to spend on optional features. Every model and trim of the Rio comes with a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, and all of them are estimated to be right around 30 city / 40 highway mpg. The sedans are a bit longer, but the hatchbacks have a bit more cargo room.

Performance

The 2012 Kia Rio gets excellent gas mileage. Even though subcompact cars are expected to have good fuel economy, the Rio is exceptional among its peers, and along with the 2012 Hyundai Accent, it is among the most fuel efficient cars outside of hybrids. As far as power performance, the Rio is average, but competitive. It has a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine that gives it 138 horsepower, which is certainly comparable to any car in its class. Its drivetrain is smooth, it has electric power steering which gives it responsive and good handling.

Interior / Exterior

The Rio has distinctive European influenced styling, and that is not a bad thing at all. Like all their other vehicles, Kia has placed emphasis on making the Rio look bolder and more stylish. It stands out as one of the better looking subcompact cars. The interior also benefits from the focus on styling. The cheaper base models come with more plastic than the higher models and their soft touch material, but it is well balanced and does not give the impression of cheap and low quality. The higher end models have styling and features that you would not expect from a subcompact car. Cargo space and interior room is nothing special, but is comparable to any other car in its segment.

Features

Kia has a reputation for offering a lot of standard features that most car buyers take for granted. With the kind of incredible technology being implemented in to higher trim vehicles these days, it is refreshing to see a car company include more standard features than others, especially in inexpensive subcompact cars. Even the base LX model comes with features like satellite radio, a trip computer, steering wheel audio controls, and power mirrors with defrosters. On the EX and SX trim, you can get the optional UVO infotainment system, which is much like the SYNC on Ford cars. Higher trims also see options like leather interior, a sunroof and a rear view camera.

Safety

Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA have released their crash test results for the 2012 Kia Rio yet. It is a newer model and has not been extensively tested; however it does come with a lot of standard safety features. It comes with six airbags, stability control and hill start assist. Rear view cameras and Bluetooth are also options. One exceptional safety plus for the Rio is its unique brakes. Coming with standard antilock brakes, the Rio also has disc brakes on all four wheels, whereas most cars come with a front disc and rear drum brakes set up. The Rio is exceptional in its braking and stop times, especially for subcompact cars.