Kia's manual transmission shifts easily and the Rio has light clutch action. The smooth automatic kicks down quickly to summon whatever power is available. Around-town acceleration is adequate with either transmission, but highway passing power is lacking. A test manual-shift sedan accelerated to 60 mph in 9.4 seconds, but an automatic-transmission Hyundai Accent took 11.1 seconds to make that run. Fuel economy is a plus, as expected. Test manual-gearbox LX sedans have averaged 27.2 to 28.4 mpg, including gas-eating performance runs. A Rio5 with automatic averaged 23 mpg in a test that was heavy on urban commuting. Solidly built, Rios provide a generally comfortable ride, with a firm suspension that's sufficiently compliant to smother smaller bumps. Still, some jouncing occurs on wavy pavement, along with thumping over moderate bumps and occasional jolts on larger disturbances. Urban-friendly size is abetted by quick, accurate steering. The Rio5 feels almost sporty, with adequate grip in quick turns, helped by standard 15-inch or optional 16-inch tires. All models suffer moderate body lean in corners, and sedans tend to noseplow. Gusty crosswinds affect straightline stability, too. Available ABS furnished good stopping control and brake-pedal feel. One test LX without ABS suffered early rear-wheel lockup in rapid braking on wet roads. Rio's engine is noisy at higher rpm, under acceleration, and cruises more quietly with automatic than manual shift. Wind noise is moderate, but plenty of tire thrum occurs over coarse pavement, with some thumping over bumps. Gauges are clear. Audio and climate controls are angled toward the driver, high-mounted and easy to reach, with large knobs and buttons. Most cabin surfaces are hard plastic, but they don't look cheap. In fact, Rios equal some costlier cars for materials and assembly quality. Front-seat occupants get good head and legroom on firm, comfortable seats, though larger drivers might prefer wider cushions. The driver's seat is adjustable for height and rake, and has a fold-down right-side armrest. A tilt steering wheel has been standard on all but base sedan models. Hatchbacks suffer poor visibility to rear corners. Backseat space is quite good for a small car, with adequate head and toe room. Legroom is tight only if the front seat is far back, and the seat is nicely countered. Seatback angle is adjustable in the Rio5 hatchback-a rarity in this class. Entry/exit is fairly easy. Cargo space is meager in sedans, ample in hatchbacks. All but the base sedan have a split folding rear seatback. In sedans, the seatback doesn't lie flat and sits above floor level, and the opening is cramped. The release is awkwardly placed toward the center of seats. Rio's pass-through isn't full-size, and trunk lid hinges dip into the load area. The hatchback's seat bottom can flip forward, allowing the seatback to lie nearly flat, and its releases are handy. Interior storage includes five small bins, but no console box, and only a small glovebox.

Value for the Money
Best suited for undemanding, low-speed running, the smallest Kias include plenty of features for their low-budget price. In addition, Rio a surprisingly well-built car that, with Kia's strong new-car warranty, delivers a lot for the money-most notably, standard side-impact and curtain airbags. The base sedan offered no options, so if you want air conditioning or an automatic transmission, look for an LX or SX model. Rios do not hold their value well, depreciating a bit faster than Hyundai's Accent, so prices on the used-car market tend to be relatively low.