Kia Rio Resets Subcompact Standards

Review: The Kia Rio has become a pretty decent alternative entry in the subcompact realm in recent years, with a low initial price, 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty, and ranking “not bad” for styling, roominess, economy, and performance.

That was “then,” as of 2011’s rapidly ending model year, and this is “now,” the future, with the introduction of the 2012 Rio. The new Rio reinforces the low-price/long-warranty tradition but vaults beyond that to the upper echelon of subcompacts. It raises the rank from “not bad” to “outstanding” for performance and economy, roominess, solid safety construction, advanced technology, and dramatic looks. Styling, admittedly, is in the eye of the beholder, but you soon notice that virtually all of the beholders have their eyes on the Rio.

“Consumers initially buy with their eyes,” said Ralph Tjoa, national manager of Kia’s product planning. “We’ve changed just about everything — the engine, transmission and platform — and improved its fuel economy, value and safety. It’s no longer a penalty box; now it’s a box suite.”

Schreyer had nothing to do with the Soul, a boxy but popular subcompact with hamster-induced advertising success, but he did have a hand in the Sportage, a stylish crossover SUV based on the Hyundai Tucson. Hyundai struck marketplace gold with its new Elantra compact this year, while Kia already has its Forte. The subcompact segment was next, and Hyundai’s exceptional remake of the Accent is loaded with technical and performance advances, full of features and capable of 40-miles-per-gallon for $14,000.

Hyundai continues to stress technology aimed at economy, and Kia seeks to be sportier and more style oriented. Hyundai’s Elantra, Accent, and sporty coupe Veloster — based on the Elantra platform, with the slick new Accent engine — are all candidates with considerable merit for the 2012 North American Car of the Year.

Against that Hyundai hat trick from its partner/parent, Kia unveils the Rio — its uniquely styled version of the Accent. Hyundai executives might wonder if one of their trio might win Car of the Year, but the Kia Rio offers stiff competition from yet another Korean candidate.

The subcompact segment is expected to sell 400,000 vehicles for the 2011 model year, and Kia estimates it will double by 2015, because of continued U.S. determination to downsize to inexpensive and economical cars that also can have some flair. The segment has expanded with all new cars such as the Ford Fiesta, Chevrolet Sonic, Fiat 500, Mini Cooper, Honda Fit, Mazda2, Toyota Yaris and several Scion models, and Nissan Versa. Kia officials are determined to prove the Rio is prominent against such cars.

The engine is a prize, the third generation of the corporation’s Gamma 4-cylinder, reconstructed entirely out of aluminum for a 28-pound reduction from its iron predecessor. It measures 1600 cc. in displacement, with high-pressure direct injection and dual variable valve-timing, delivering 138 horsepower at 6,300 RPMs and 123 foot-pounds of torque at 4,850 RPMs.

Unlike the segment standard Honda Fit, which is available with only 5-speed stick or automatic, the Rio transmissions are both 6-speeds, and both are spaced to wide ratios. That is a welcome relief to small-car owners who have had to live with close-ratio gearing that requires shifting much more frequently. The engine has plenty of torque to pull itself through most situations without downshifting, and it also is greatly responsible for hitting its 40-mpg target.

My wife, Joan, drove a test-fleet Rio with a 6-speed stick on a freeway trip and reported that she attained 38 miles per gallon but sheepishly admitted the car ran so smooth and so free of engine noise that she didn’t realize she had drive more than 50 miles in fifth gear. I laughed at that, but later I drove it on a 165-mile freeway run and as I glanced around at the interior appointments and the neat little row of toggle-switch controls, I spotted the shift lever — in fifth.

Kia’s prize is ISG — for Idle Stop and Go. Just like the best hybrids, the Rio engine shuts off when you come to a full stop, such as at a red light. When your foot comes off the brake, it seamlessly restarts. Some top Mercedes will do that too, and it seems very likely that the trend will spread through the industry as a fuel-saving and emission-reducing tactic. Hybrids, of course, have a lot of electrical power on hand, while the Rio with ISG has a more potent battery, a stronger starter geared to 350,000 starts, and a huskier, 130-amp alternator, to maintain accessory use. The air-conditioning compressor, for example, shuts down, too, but a thermal override can restart the car if the battery power starts to dwindle.

I’ve driven Rios in the Texas Hill Country west of Austin, during a week all around Minnesota, and outside Las Vegas during a second intro timed with the annual SEMA electronics show on Halloween week. The trouble with Halloween in Vegas is that you see enough bizarre outfits hitting the casinos the next day to wonder if there is a discernible difference from the Halloween costumes. The car in Las Vegas had ISG, and when I drove through the spectacular rock formations and stopped at a Ranger station entering Valley of Fire State Park, sure enough, the engine shut down.

Using high-tensile steel is expensive, but Hyundai owns its own steel plant. A contemporary benefit of using high-grade steel is it can remain stronger than normal steel, even if it is made thinner for lighter weight, but Kia went the other way — the Rio body panels are 1.6 mm., thicker than the 1.3 mm. in previous years. The design and increased body thickness gives the Rio a 31 percent improvement in torsional rigidity.

Excluding destination fees, Rio’s prices range start with the LX at $13,600 for the 4-door stick, and $14,700 for the 5-door automatic; the EX at $16,500 for the sedan and $17,500 for the 5-door; and the SX at $17,700 for the sedan and $19,900 for the 5-door. In all cases, air-conditioning, power steering, stability control, an impressive audio system, connectivity of USB jacks are standard. Options include power locks and keyless entry and ignition with the power package, and a premium package adds 17-inch wheels, larger 11-inch front disc brakes, leather seating, a recalibrated steering.

Comparing to the competition, Kia officials said the Rio LX 5-door at $14,700 adds up well against the similarly equipped Versa ($15,380), Sonic ($15,705), Fit ($15,975), and Fiesta ($16,545). Kia figures that none of its competitors can match the Rio’s uncompromising high-tech powertrain and versatility, real-world 40-mpg performance, and the premium feel and amenities inside. Whether consumers buy with their eyes, with their heads, or with their well-cushioned rear ends, the Rio demands to be considered with the best in the segment.