Good impression: 2006 Kia Rio is big improvement over old one

Kia brags that they sold more cars in their first 10 years in America -- one million -- than any other manufacturer. And just in time for skyrocketing gas prices, they introduce a vastly improved Rio, a compact car. Said to be "the most affordable four-door sedan in America," it features class-leading interior room and safety features, including six standard airbags. Although it is a small car, it has a relatively roomy interior, a large trunk, and an uncommonly quiet, smooth ride.

Although the Rio has been around since 2001, the new one is nothing like the old one. In the past few years Kia has expanded its lineup from entry-level compacts and subcompacts to a full-line that includes nine distinct models. The Rio is offered as a four-door sedan and five-door hatchback aptly named Rio5. The sedan comes in base or LX trim, which I tested, with standard amenities like air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, eight-way adjustable driver's seat, 60/40 split folding rear seat, auto-off headlamps, a tilt steering wheel and AM/FM/CD player, all at a reasonable cost. My tester did not have amenities like power windows and locks that we have become accustomed to, but then it didn't cost an arm and a leg, either. The bottom line MSRP was $13,905, and the only option on the car was a set of floor mats priced at $70.

A bit of history

Kia Motors Corporation of South Korea began life in 1944 as a steel tubing and bicycle parts manufacturer. The company progressed into building motorcycles and trucks and was the first Korean manufacturer of internal combustion engines and passenger cars. Kia entered the U.S. market in 1994, is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and boasts the largest design center -- 90,000 square feet--in the state. Kia is noted not only for its broad line of low-priced cars, but also for its outstanding 10-year/100,000-mile warranty. Long-time competitor Hyundai Motors became the majority equity holder of Kia in 1998.

First Impression

The Rio makes a nice first impression. Its thoroughly modern exterior is accented with attractive wheel covers, functional body side molding, bright clear-lens headlamps and wrap-around taillamps. It features tall waist- and rooflines, but that translates into superior interior room. My 6-foot-4-inch co-pilot had no trouble getting comfortable in the front passenger seat of the new Rio thanks to the generous range of seat-track travel. The cloth upholstery is attractive and the chairs well shaped -- I'd have no problem making a long road trip in this vehicle.

The Rio's cockpit has an airy, open feel, and interior materials, fit and finish are good. Control layout is straightforward, and I was impressed with the damped hand grabs, adjustable head rests on the back seats, dual cup holders, and numerous storage cubbies. Although there is no covered console box, there is a large non-locking glove box and two compartments in the instrument panel near the steering wheel. The car is a bit narrow for true five-seat duty, but the same could be said of most small sedans. The rear seat backs fold 60/40 for carrying items that are too large to fit into the trunk, which is surprisingly roomy.

Driving the Rio

A new 1.6-liter engine propels the Rio energetically, if not silently -- it gets a bit raucous at higher RPMs. But to be fair, that's not an issue when cruising at normal speeds. Fact is, the Rio is rather quiet when driving at legal speeds on flat highways, but that is hard to do because no cruise control is available. I had to keep a watchful eye on the speedometer because the 110-horsepower, 4-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission can willingly exceed the speed limit without breathing hard.

The front-wheel-drive Rio with independent front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle provides a smooth, stable ride and did a fine job of soaking up the bumps. The power rack-and-pinion steering was exceptionally precise and the car tracked straight and true at 70-mph even in a howling crosswind. The vehicle was tight and rattle-free. This spunky performance comes with admirable fuel mileage -- 29-city/38-highway.

Safety

Rios come standard with six airbags -- front seat-mounted side airbags for front occupants, full-length side curtain airbags and dual front airbags. There are three-point belts in all seating positions. The LX sedan and Rio5 hatchback feature adjustable rear headrests. ABS is optional. High-tensile-steel side-impact door beams and reinforced pillars provide added protection in the event of a side collision.

Steve Robertson of Robertson's Creative Photography is a car enthusiast and former staff writer/photographer for the Southeast Missourian. Contact him at sjr1@robertsonsphotography.com.