Ask the Car People.SM


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 5

#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.

#23 of 47 Canadian Rio sedan info by conwelpic

Jan 08, 2012 (3:29 pm)

the MSRP and full spec details are now available on the Kia Canada website on the Rio sedan which is now just arriving at dealerships in Canada.

#24 of 47 some photos of the Canadian Rio LX+ auto sedan by conwelpic

Jan 16, 2012 (11:01 am)


 

 

 

 

#25 of 47 No Interior Hatch Release Button in US RIO 5 DR by btatr

Jan 16, 2012 (11:34 am)

I noticed a trunk release lever in one of the photos above for the Canadian RIO sedan. Isn't that interesting because I have the 5 Door RIO SX US version and there's no interior hatchback release button or lever.

#26 of 47 Re: No Interior Hatch Release Button in US RIO 5 DR [btatr] by Placeman

Jan 16, 2012 (12:35 pm)

Replying to: btatr (Jan 16, 2012 11:34 am)
That's because the SX has an electronic locking mechanism for the hatch, not a mechanical one. The electronic mechanism makes having the mechanical lever obsolete. You don't need to "pop" the hatch using a lever since you only need to touch the button under the rear hatch handle to activate the electronic lock.

#27 of 47 Re: No Interior Hatch Release Button in US RIO 5 DR [Placeman] by cbmorton

Jan 16, 2012 (6:55 pm)

Replying to: Placeman (Jan 16, 2012 12:35 pm)
The reason there's an interior release for the trunk on the sedan is because if you don't use the key, there isn't any other way to open the trunk. On the 5-door you don't have that problem, because there's a handle on the outside. So no need for an interior hatch release on any 5-door model.

Messages Page 3 of 5

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement