In a smackdown of South Korean sub-compacts, the Kia Rio EX outpointed the Accent from sister company Hyundai as the top-rated sedan of that size in Consumer Reports' latest tests.
Chevrolet's Sonic, the American entrant in the magazine's ratings, as well as the Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris, both from Japan, scored lower.
"Subcompact cars were once collectively known as penalty boxes for their noisiness, rudimentary interiors, uncomfortable rides, and weak performance. But now improved redesigns, combined with an affordable prices and impressive fuel economy, make a number of subcompact models good all-around choices for people looking to stretch their budget," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center.
The magazine said the Kia Rio "is a solid and well-equipped car" that "benefits from nimble handling and very simple controls and provides plenty of features for the price."
The Kia Rio EX sedan the magazine tested has a sticker price of $17,275 and is powered by a 138 hp, 1.6-four-cylinder engine that has decent power and gets 30 mpg overall.
The Hyundai Accent shares its platform and powertrain with the Rio but gets better fuel economy, about 1 mile per gallon better in Consumer Reports' testing. It has a sticker price of $16,050 and is powered by a 138 hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and what the magazine described as a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission. But Consumer Reports dinged the car for a bumpy ride at times as well as road and wind noise.
The Chevrolet Sonic has responsive handling and excellent brakes, according to the review, but was more expensive -- nearly $18,000 -- and at 28 mpg had poorer fuel economy than other entrants in this segment.
Consumer Reports said the Nissan Versa sedan was a step backward from previous versions of the car and was at the bottom of the magazine’s ratings.
It also knocked the Toyota Yaris, calling it "bare-bones transportation" with a noisy, choppy ride and an "austere" interior.
Kia unveiled it's 2011 GT concept and this looks incredible...
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Motivated by a 3.3-liter turbocharged V6 giving 389 horsepower and 394 pound-feet of torque, power for GT is routed through an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
CleanMPG hypermilers Wayne Gerdes and Chris Bernius took a 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid all over the country in the attempt to set a new Guinness World Record. After 7,899 miles and 17 days of driving, it became official!
After purchasing a Garmin and putting the stock tire size back on, I discovered what appears to be a very big speedo error. I'd been running 195.65.15 tires for a while, replacing the stock 195.60.15 Eagle LS. I bought some wheels a few weeks ago, and re-installed the stock-size Altimax HP, and at 70 the speedo was showing a 5 MPH slow speed vs. the Garmin. When the speedo shows 75, the Garmin shows 70.
So me and my dad test drove a base model today and i kinda liked the car. The interior was very nice, ride was the best part of the car not to hard but not to soft were you couldn't feel the road. Imo thats the best thing about the car. The 2.4 gdi engine was kinda disappointing, below 3k it felt very blah, but over 3k is were it wanted to go but then the 6speed shifted. Maybe i just wasn't used to a new 6speed, idk. Other than that its was a great car. Made my dad, a civic driver, a believer. All in all not a bad car and worth the money.
I am a newbie BUT I am a superstar on Z car.com. I have been dying to see any pictures of a 97 Sephia WITH a rear disc brake conversion. Sometimes I see rear disc PADS available for this car but I have never really seen rear discs on this actual 97 Sephia. OK, it is good to be one such a fine sight! Have a nice weekend! Norm K="Crazy4Kia." (Maybe there is a "search" that has this already?)
Here's some pics and info on the Accent's cousin from the NY Auto Show:
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Kia pulled the wraps off the sedan version of its Rio subcompact, and rolled out the 5-door we saw in Geneva for comparison. Both continue a clean, athletic aesthetic Peter Schreyer has been introducing to the lineup with every product refresh since he joined the team (only the Sedona’s left). The traditional Kia grille is flanked by large, expressive headlamps on each variant, but in the top-level SX trim shown, the 5-door gets a more sporting visage with three separate lower-fascia air ducts (the sedan’s are connected into one), and projector beam headlamps (sedans get basic halogen). A bold body-side graphic has the rear shoulder line angling sharply down on the front doors to meet the lower rocker line. The tail treatment of the sedan shrinks the Optima’s basic looks. Dimensionally, the wheelbase gets a 2.8-inch stretch while the sedan body grows 5.0 inches longer and an inch wider as the roofline drops 0.6 inch relative to the old sedan. Rolling stock choices for both variants include 15 inch rims wearing 185/65 rubber on base LX and EX models; while SXs get 17s with 205/45 Hankook Optimo tires.
Under the hood, all Rios get the same direct-injected 1.6-liter Gamma engine, rated at 138 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque–a boost of 28 hp and 16 lb-ft over the outgoing 1.6-liter. Fuel-sipping technologies like electric power steering, smart charging (the alternator tries to do most of its work while braking or coasting), and continuously variable valve timing on both cams. Choose either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission and we’re told you’ll see 30-mpg city/40-mpg highway economy. Real-world economy may be even better if you select the optional Eco Package, which includes Idle Stop and Go (aka auto-stop-start) system–a segment first–as well as a driving monitor system to help optimize efficiency. Elsewhere on the ecological front: soy-based foam is used in the seats and 85 percent of the Rio’s materials are recyclable.
Extensive use of high-strength steel (63 percent, particularly in the B-pillar ring and cross-car side-impact reinforcements) helps reduce the weight of the body while delivering five-star crash performance in NHTSA’s latest testing, and of course vehicle stability management remains standard. Upscale options include Kia’s UVO infotainment system (think SYNC), navigation, push-button starting, and a backup camera. Pricing has not been finalized yet, but is expected to start below $13,000.
Those wheels are sweet. The hatch looks great and the sedan looks like a mini Optima. The SX models get 17" wheels according this this... holy crap!
The recall affects Spectra LD models from the 2004 to 2007 model years in 20 states and Washington, D.C., the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on its website Friday.
Why did y'all keep the Spectra5 SX a secret from me? You bastage!!!!
ANyway... the reason I bring this up.... I talked my fatherinlaw into looking (and he bought after comparing) at one. So, the wife and I flew out Fri night (from Indy) to PHX for a suprise b-day party for her mom. Sunday, on my way to the airport the f-i-l let me drive his spectra through the mountains the back route from Oro Valley to I-10 at Casa Grande. beautiful drive by the way. I was really, REALLY impressed with that car. 28k miles, 100% bone stock. Car was very well composed, handled extremly well, was quieter than my elantra. Other than his being a slushbox... I would merely change the rear sway and tires. Rest of the car was a perfect DD/spirited driver. Something entertaining enough to keep you happy, but not stiff and uncomfortable at all.
Why didn't you guys say something? This car is what the EGT SHOULD have been.
OMG!!! this thing looks badass!!! word on the street is its suppose to be fighting the audi TT...if this is smaller then the coupe AND RWD with a Turbo motor?? sorry but my new sports car is going to be a KIA!
2.0L Turbo making 256hp and 264lb-ft, getting 27mpg highway, 18" wheels and sport suspension for $25,800.
It looks pretty good too, actually. But.... it's an SUV/CUV. Is it a good idea? In terms of business sure... in terms of physics... ?! Do we really need a tall car that can do 0-60 in 6.5 or whatever this will end up doing?
It's time to put Vader out to the pastes and the Kia Forta is on my short list. The other cars would be the Soul from Kia as well, the Cube / Versa and the Ford Festa. I have not ruled out the Accent or the Rio 5. Any thoughts guys and gals?
So Saturday we out messing around andI thought what the heck, let's go check out the new Optima. The one we drove was a basic model with the "convienence package"(sat radio, power seats, steering wheel controls etc) in "Dark Cherry". It had the new 2-tone tan/black interior.
The fit/finish was amazing. The doors closed with a solid thump. The interior panels were soft to the touch, everything felt like it was expensive, or more than the $21k sticker suggested. Start it up to a very quietinterior. Hardly any road noise, minimal drivetrain noise until you smash the go-pedal. even then it's subdued and restrained.
Car has ample .... "pep". We drove the auto version and, to be honest, that's what I would likely buy. It popped up to 60 with no strain and was quick.... quicker than Porky. It neverfeels like it's straining to do anything and the 2200rpms @ 60mph are very encouraging for highway frugality.
Now, the IMPORTANT part for me: the suspension. Wow. What a difference 9 years makes to Korean chassis tuning. Car corners flatter than my H&R/Tib sway bar Elantra and the tires were the real limiting factor in it's cornering grip. The seats have enoughlateral support to make it comfortable fo spirited driving. The car we drove had thestock 16" aluminum wheels and tall tires. This chassis BEGS for a good set of 235/45/17 tires on a 17x8 wheel....
Overall, I was VERY impressed. This could quite likely be the car the next "newer" car we purchase.
I've had my 2002 Elantra GT for 6.5 years, and put 95,000 miles on it (133,000 total). It was time for a change. I did a lot of research and looked at a lot of different options, but in the end the choice was clear to me. I took delivery of a 2011 Kia Sportage EX with every single option on it. Ipod, bluetooth, black leather, Nav, panoramic sunroof, back up camera, back up sensors, L.E.D. running lights, dual zone auto climate control, heated front seats/cooled drivers seat, etc. The thing is incredible! I love it so much, I wouldn't even choose a BMW over it. [attachment=3514:IMG_0795.JPG][attachment=3515:IMG_0796.JPG]
i saw this while i was going through the parking lot and i knew exactly what it was when i saw it! it does kinda look like the new ford taurus...but i think this looks WAY BETTER!!! the interior just sucks booty though. the same color (black) and with no real texture different (took a pic of the interior but it didnt come out. the other crappy phone pics did come decent though. so here they are...
when i came back out the guy who owned it (for the past week) said he bought it over the sonata because he thought the sonata looked like the new Benz (which he likes...i dont get it) so he choose this instead. he traded in a mazda 3 5 door on it. :laugh: nice upgrade if you ask me!