BC

• Published:November 30th, 2009
• Comments:No Comment
• Category:Automotive

The 2009 Kia Rio is Kia’s smallest car and also the brand’s smallest price. The Rio is currently one of the cheapest new cars out there in the market. The Rio is a subcompact that comes either as a sedan or a four-door hatchback. The sedan is available in base, LX and SX trim levels, while the Rio5 hatchback comes in LX and SX models only. The base sedan comes standard with satellite radio, four-speaker stereo with a CD/MP3 player and 14-inch steel wheels. The LX gets additional amenities including power steering, a tilt steering wheel, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat and an auxiliary audio jack. The SX trim level features 15-inch alloy wheels, metallic interior accents, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, upgraded cloth trim, foglights and a rear spoiler.

All 2009 Kia Rios are equipped with a 1.6-liter inline-4 capable of 110 horsepower and 107 pound-feet of torque. The engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission, while a four-speed automatic is optional on all trims except the base sedan. In terms of safety, all Rios come standard with front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. The LX and SX models are available with adjustable rear headrests. Optional on both trims are antilock disc brakes.

The Kia Rio’s 1.6-liter engine provides decent acceleration, particularly with the manual transmission. Rios with the automatic transmission provides smooth and quick gear changes. Overall, the Rio’s ride is smooth and stable, and even at high speeds, the cabin stays hushed.