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2012 Rio - reviews

47 messages,  Last post on Jan 23, 2012 at 5:41 PM

You are in the Kia Rio Forum.

What is this discussion about? Kia Rio, Car Buying, Hatchback

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#1 of 47 2012 Rio - reviews by conwelpic

Sep 01, 2011 (10:04 am)

need a separate thread for reviews for both the US and Canadian models, here is one from Autoblog testing the SX in Korea
 
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/01/2012-kia-rio-5-door-first-drive-review/

#2 of 47 Canadian review by conwelpic

Oct 04, 2011 (8:40 am)

http://www.autos.ca/first-drives/test-drive-first-drive-2012-kia-rio-five-door

#3 of 47 another Canadian review by conwelpic

Oct 05, 2011 (7:14 am)

http://autos.ca.msn.com/reviews/2012/2012-kia-rio5-first-drive

#4 of 47 2012 Kia Rio5 U.S. vs Canadian Comparisons by phill1

Oct 05, 2011 (12:39 pm)

Can`t say I`m very surprised, but KMA (USA) unlike Kia Canada, did it to (us) once again. Just like HMA, Hyundai USA did it to us just recently with the 2012 Accent. Why Canada (always) gets more color selections and a host of much more standard option features then comparable U.S. Models is both curious and aggravating. Even in Canada`s ( Base) LX Trim, you get the adjustable center console with storage compartment and a host of other features. True, in place of some of these desirable options, the U.S. gets "standard" A/C included, which in 2012 should be a "given", does it not get hot and humid in Canada during the Summer months? Please! The U.S. does get to choose the "Beige" Cloth Interior Fabric on both the LX and EX Models depending on the Exterior Color choice while Canada unfortunately get only Black Canada get a choice of (3) different Wheel sizes, starting with 15` like the U.S. but also adds both 16`` and 17``. In the U.S. its either 15`` or 17``. To get close to the options that the Canadian LX+ gets, or for that matter, their EX or EX+, in the U.S. once you add the "Convenience Package" to the EX Trim line, your only " a mere $300 away from the top of the line SX Model with a host of upscale features. Guess for us, "South of the Border", the (smart) money is going to be a Base model LX with Automatic Transmission and the extra cost Power Package at $1000 bring you to a MSRP of $16,450, (or) opt for the SX model with all the "bells and whistles" at $18,500, minus the optional "Luxury Package which adds, Leather Interior, Navigation, and a Sun Roof. The EX model at $17,250 makes no sense (to me) as it merely adds for an additional $800 to the Base LX trim, the front seat storage console, cruise control, blue tooth access on the steering wheel, allegedly "Premium" Cloth Interior Fabric, which looks very similar to the Standard LX Interior Fabric and a cloth covered Arm Rest for Front Seat Passengers. Oh, I almost neglected to mention the addition on the EX of the Chrome (painted) surround trim on the radiator grill in front, which in due time will begin to chip and eventually peel due to Sun and Heat exposure. The U.S. also only gets the LED Daytime Running Lights on its SX Model. The other models, LX and EX, get no DRL`s. Guess that DRL Module must be (very) expensive, you think?

#5 of 47 some photos of a Canada LX+ auto by conwelpic

Oct 15, 2011 (6:14 am)


 

 

 

#6 of 47 new video review by conwelpic

Oct 24, 2011 (10:20 am)

http://drivencarreviews.com/2011/10/2012-kia-rio-ex-5-door-hd-video-review/

#7 of 47 My test drive by raderator

Oct 29, 2011 (7:34 am)

Drove the LX (base) auto on a twisty country road. Pretty sweet. Seemed zippier than a Fiesta. Handling was great, ride good and road noise acceptable.
 
These have standard XM/CD/mp3/USB, yea! However, I was told you CANNOT get the power pack (windows, locks, keyless) with the manual.
 
BTW, the Rio base model comes with bigger wheels and tires than the base Accent, 15" vs 14". I'd get snow tires for the steel wheels and get some alloy wheel from Tirerack. On clearance, you can get them for nearly what steel wheels would cost.
 
The base model has no fake chrome on the grille, which looks much better since the grille is the only ugly thing on the car besides the dash, which is at least better looking than the Klingon one on the Fiesta.
 
My local dealer is discounting Rios an amazing $1300-1600! Surely this won't last.
 
I'm 6' but fit amazingly well in the back seats with inches to spare overhead. The seats fold fairly flat so you could put a dog back there if he is spry enuf to jump up that high.
 
I was hoping to get a manual with power pack but alas, I seem doomed to accept the auto. Which ain't that bad cuz the manual shift mode is rather fun and somewhat duplicates the experience. mpg is the same anyway.
 
My only other real disappointment was no map light in the base model. You could probably pull one out of an old Japanese car in the junkyard tho. No sunglasses holder but there is a space for one since the useless roof handle is missing on the driver's side.

#8 of 47 Rio5 LX test drive by backy

Nov 12, 2011 (1:33 pm)

I took a red LX hatch with Convenience Package out for a test drive today. Was hoping to drive a stick but it appears those don't exist. This one was a beautiful red with a tan interior, which is a combo I really like.
 
First things I noticed were that the plastic wheel is fat and comfy, and the HVAC controls could be from a $40k car with their chrome and piano black accents and smooth operation. The materials quality of the rest of the interior (except for the wheel and lane changer) looked a notch below those HVAC controls, but not bad for the price point. Would have liked some padding for my left elbow (Kia, call Nissan re the nice padding on the Versa). The driver's seat bottom felt small to me, but seemed comfortable enough on my short drive.
 
The drive was on suburban roads and highways, all pretty smooth except for cracks and expansion joints. On those, the Rio5 was louder than I'd like. The ride felt firmer than the Accent GS I drove a couple of weeks ago. But the steering also felt a tad firmer. Handling was fine, and the car tracked straight without the need for constant corrections. Power even with the AT was adequate, but I didn't press the car (new engine, test drive of a car I was not going to buy). I reset the FE meter when I got up to speed on the highway, and in a short drive got close to 40 mpg which included a couple of stops at stoplights. Speed was around 60 mph. So the car should be able to hit its 40 mpg EPA highway mark even when new at moderate speeds.
 
Back seat room was just adequate in my sit-behind-me test (5'9"). It was about as much as in some larger cars such as the Focus, Cruze, and 2012 Impreza. Enough for short to moderate height folks for an hour or two. Headroom was sufficient but nothing to spare. Cargo room was OK but less than in its cousin the Accent. I appreciated the 60/40 fold-down seats with a fairly flat load floor (but with a little step behind the seatbacks) after driving a Focus sedan that cost $2000 more but had a one-piece seatback that tilted up considerably).
 
Overall it was a fun little car to drive, but for the price ($16.5k) I'd have to go with cousin Accent GS for its standard cruise control with the AT, greater cargo volume, and smoother ride. I also like the dash design of the Accent more, but I'd take those HVAC controls of the Rio5 any day.

#9 of 47 Re: Rio5 LX test drive [backy] by phill1

Nov 16, 2011 (7:09 am)

Replying to: backy (Nov 12, 2011 1:33 pm)
Well its been just over 2 weeks since I took delivery of my 2012 Kia Rio5. So far, I`m very pleased with this vehicle. I got mine in Clear White with the Beige Cloth Interior and the optional Power Package. Just as Backy mentioned, MSRP of $16, 545 including the Carpeted Floor Mats. I also agree that I prefer the 2012 Accents dash design over the Kia`s but, I like the HVAC controls and the other Black accented interior trim better on the Kia. Really irritated that the Rio did not include the Cruise Control that the Accent GS gets, but it was not a deal breaker for me. I only get to use it a few times of the year anyway due to the heavy traffic on I 95 and the Florida Turnpike which requires constant braking and passing. Even more aggravating was the fact that not only did Kia not include the Center Console Armrest with Storage, but did not even provide a cloth covered Drivers Seat flip up Armrest on its LX Trim which every Kia Rio has had as standard equipment from 06` thru 011. I hoping Kia will soon provide an aftermarket one like they have available for the Kia Soul for 010 thru 012 Models that did not have them originally. I`ve got lots of compliments on this vehicle so far and most folks are surprised that it was priced at only 16.5 K. I feel like I stated before, for those that are interested in a 2012 Kia Rio5, the most bang for your buck is in the LX Trim with the optional Power Package. I think once Kia has sufficient Inventory available, they should sell quite a few of them. Really surprised that they have already offered 1.9% financing for 36 month loans with excellent FICA Scores on this new Model when there are so few available on the Dealers Lots.

#10 of 47 Re: My test drive [raderator] by phill1

Nov 16, 2011 (7:18 am)

Replying to: raderator (Oct 29, 2011 7:34 am)
$1,300 to $1,600 off a 2012 Kia Rio5? Unless the Dealers are charging a $1,000 or more for Dealer Fee`s or adding on a lot of Dealer Installed Accessories, or stealing late model trade in`s far below market price, its quite puzzling? There is only $600 margin between Dealers Cost, (Invoice) and the MSRP, not including the Dealer Hold Back which the Dealerships get at years end. Just curious, where are you located? I think before the rubber hits the road, the buyer will soon see those "savings" evaporate. Other Kia Dealerships would be lining up to purchase them at that Discounted Price for resale. The old saying, "If it looks too good to be true, its probably not".

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