Rio 5-Door Redesign A Leap Forward For Kia

Up against elevated gas prices, car shoppers should take comfort in the fact that they don't have to pay a premium for a hybrid to save money at the pump. There's a new crowd of subcompact and compact cars that get 40 mpg or more on the highway, start below $15,000 and dispel some outdated notions about small cars. Available in sedan and four-door hatchback body styles, the 2012 Kia Rio is one of these cars. I tested the hatchback, which is called the 5-Door. With its redesign, the 2012 Kia Rio 5-Door goes from basic transportation to a refined subcompact. The 5-Door starts at $14,350 including a $750 destination charge, but our well-equipped SX trim level's as-tested price was $20,745 and included upscale features like a navigation system. Styling: Just as it's likely that a redesigned model will produce more horsepower than its predecessor, it's also a safe bet that its styling will be more aggressive. The Rio 5-Door follows this trend, and the result is a small hatchback with the face of an angry dragonfly. Bulbous headlights border a pinched upper grille. For a subcompact car, the Rio 5-Door has a great stance. The Rio 5-Door looks wide by comparison with its competitors... For a subcompact car, the Rio 5-Door feels relatively spacious up front... Premium options include heated leather front seats, push-button start, and Kia's Uvo system for controlling cellphone features... The redesigned Rio 5-Door is a big step forward for the nameplate and is worth considering if you're shopping for a subcompact.

*Courtesy of Kia Media