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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

Messages Page 3 of 6

#13 of 47 No Interior Hatch Release Button by btatr

Dec 26, 2011 (10:22 am)

That's correct, for both the RIO and Forte Hatchback models, KIA decided to eliminate the hatch release button inside the cabin. It's not a major flaw but I think it was a stupid decision because you have to exit the vehicle to open the hatch By the way, you don't need the key. As long as the passenger doors are unlocked you can manually open the hatch.
 
I compared the 2012 RIO to the Accent and I think the RIO looks better and it definitely has more high tech features such as:
 
A Rear View camera when backing up
LED Running Lights / LED Tail lights / LED turn signals on the side mirrors
Outside Mirrors fold up at the push of a button inside the cabin
Microsoft UVO for radio and bluetooth

#14 of 47 Re: No Interior Hatch Release Button [btatr] by conanrules

Dec 31, 2011 (1:56 pm)

Replying to: btatr (Dec 26, 2011 10:22 am)
The lack of an interior hatch release isn't an issue for me. How are you going to get anything out of the back unless you get out of the car? Who cares. The fact these cars can't stay on a lot for more than a few days means something. There really is no competition next to the Rio.

#15 of 47 Re: My test drive [phill1] by conanrules

Dec 31, 2011 (2:04 pm)

Replying to: phill1 (Nov 16, 2011 7:18 am)
I have a quote for $1500 under invoice price on a SX model and I know I can do better.

#16 of 47 Just test drove a 2012 EX Rio hatchback by conanrules

Dec 31, 2011 (2:13 pm)

Drove the Rio hatch EX with convenience package. WOW! what a great car. Could not believe all this car for $16k. Very smooth ride, very quick, 80 mph on highway no problem. I'm 6'1" and had plenty of leg and head room. Sat behind my drivers seat and had adequate leg room but wouldn't want to sit there for hours. Also had adequate head room with an inch or two to spare but did have my hat on. Rear backup camera is great, bluetooth connection to phone with a touch screen! Are you kidding me. Very comfortable seats, wish the left arm rest was a tad higher. Stereo speakers suck, but no biggie. Car handled extremely well and very responsive. When they get my color in I'm buying it. There is no competition to the RIO, not even close. They are going to sell a ton of these.

#17 of 47 Re: Just test drove a 2012 EX Rio hatchback [conanrules] by cbmorton

Dec 31, 2011 (2:55 pm)

Replying to: conanrules (Dec 31, 2011 2:13 pm)
Just picked up our Rio EX hatch yesterday. Definitely the most car by far for the money. Here in Canada you can get an EX with sunroof and manual transmission, which made it a no-brainer since both of those are musts for me.
 
Very easy to drive around the city and surprisingly solid on the highway even on a windy day. More road noise at higher speeds than I'd like, but suspect a good bit of that is due to the tires. Rear camera makes backing into a parking spot a snap, since the small, high rear window doesn't give you much to go by. UVO system works great when it understands you properly (yes, I did the training). I was surprised that the system, if it's off, can't be woken up by pressing the talk or off-hook phone buttons on the steering wheel. Want to make a call, turn UVO on first, then the buttons on the steering wheel work. I downloaded the latest UVO software from Kia and updated by USB - very easy.
 
So far I've noticed the following convenience features that aren't documented in the owner's manual (at least not the one that came with ours):
 
1. Three-blink turn signal flash for changing lanes - loved this on other, more expensive cars, but figured the Rio didn't have it since the owner's manual instructs you to hold the turn signal lever while you change lanes, then release. Surprise, it does have the "touch it once, get three blinks" feature after all.
 
2. If you shut the engine off with the headlights on, get out and lock the car with the remote, the lights stay on. Press the "lock" button again, the lights go off. When you come back, unlock the car with the remote and the lights come on again. I wasn't expecting "welcome" and "follow-me-home" lighting on a car this cheap either.
 
Looking forward to spending more time driving it.

#18 of 47 RIO SX versus FORTE SX by btatr

Dec 31, 2011 (7:31 pm)

The RIO SX Hatchback is a smaller version of KIA's incredible Forte SX Hatchback.
 
They're both fantastic vehicles and each has it's own advantages. The Forte has a 19.4 cubic foot storage area with the seats up while the RIO has only 15 cubic feet. The Forte SX has more interior room and very powerful acceleration with the 2.4 liter engine. The RIO's 1.6 Liter GDI engine has very good acceleration for a small engine but it cannot come close to the 2.4 liter version in the Forte. On the plus side, interior room in the RIO is excellent for a small car, plus it's extremely comfortable.
 
The RIO obviously wins on fuel economy while both cars handle extremely well. I think both of them are lots of fun to drive and each car model is sleek and aerodynamic. The Forte SX has that nifty storage container under the rear compartment and I don't understand why KIA doesn't provide it in the RIO SX.
 
The RIO has a price advantage over the Forte, although KIA seems to offer better deals on the Forte. I would compare the Forte with the Ford Focus while the RIO should be compared to the Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Accent, and Honda Fit. Both KIAs are better than the competition.
 
Even though the Accent uses the same engine and transmission, the RIO wins out on looks and more high tech features such as a rear view camera, LED lighting, and outside mirrors that fold with the press of a button. In addition, the outside mirrors are heated on the RIO.

#19 of 47 Re: Just test drove a 2012 EX Rio hatchback [cbmorton] by conanrules

Jan 01, 2012 (8:57 am)

Replying to: cbmorton (Dec 31, 2011 2:55 pm)
Interesting. The only model available on the Kia website with manual is the LX and the only model available with a sunroof is the fully loaded SX. I don't care about the sunroof because they always become problematic and reduce headroom but I would like a manual transmission. The sales guy did tell me they are going to be offering a Rio with a turbo soon. Hopefully that one comes with a manual. Guess you guys are lucky in Canada.

#20 of 47 Re: Just test drove a 2012 EX Rio hatchback [cbmorton] by conwelpic

Jan 01, 2012 (9:57 am)

Replying to: cbmorton (Dec 31, 2011 2:55 pm)
the #2 feature I have in my new 2012 Soul 4u, its called the "Headlamp Escort" Maybe I should check for your #1 feature maybe I might have it too!

#21 of 47 Re: Just test drove a 2012 EX Rio hatchback [conwelpic] by cbmorton

Jan 01, 2012 (7:01 pm)

Replying to: conwelpic (Jan 01, 2012 9:57 am)
Wouldn't be surprised! The 2011 Soul I drove recently didn't have it, but the Rio does.
 
Played with the lights some more tonight since it was the first time taking it out after dark. The car actually uses the "auto" light system to decide whether to activate the welcome or follow-me-home lighting (or "headlamp escort", if that's Kia's term for it). If you leave the headlight switch in "auto", it'll turn on the lights as you unlock the car with the remote, and leave them on for 30 seconds after you lock it - but only if it's dark. During the day, the lights stay off when you lock or unlock. Smart.
 
Inside, the UVO screen isn't dimmed with the rest of the dashboard lighting, and even in "night" mode I find it a tad bright, but it can be turned off completely. Also, there's a small LED light mounted in the ceiling, behind the sunroof switch, that shines down onto the centre console to provide some ambient light at night to the shifter and storage tray/power point area just in front of it. Another nice, unexpected touch.
 
On a different note, after a day driving around in a hilly city, I sure wish they'd put the hill holder on the manual transmission instead of only on the automatic.

#22 of 47 Re: Just test drove a 2012 EX Rio hatchback [cbmorton] by conanrules

Jan 01, 2012 (7:36 pm)

Replying to: cbmorton (Jan 01, 2012 7:01 pm)
I found the Canadian Kia site and checked out the Rio. Interesting that they are sold so differently in our two countries. They have an SX model here in the states. It's the only one with a sunroof but still doesn't come with a manual transmission. I really want a manual. I was surprised at how much fun that car was to drive and how well it handled. I'd love to take it out for some spirited driving in the mountains. I guess that is what my 1974 MGB is for.

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