Me thinks the new Kia Rio could be a good contender!

[WTF]

New York 2011: Kia debuts all-new 2012 Rio with start-stop, good for 40 MPG — Autoblog
The hatch looks a tad bit better IMO, like most of the sub compacts.

I'm diggin the looks of this baby. I've been in the market for awhile now and have kind of been waiting for all the 2012s to pop up before I choose. Well, here's a new one thats catching my eye. Its the 2012 Kia Rio (yes, that car that you would not have been caught dead in 5 years ago).

Anyways, the looks are promising! Probably my favorite in this category (Fiesta, Sonic, Accent, Fit, Yaris, perhaps more). Interior compliments the outside by offering leather, Nav, heated seats, and more. Exterior wise, it comes standard with 4 wheel disc brakes, projector head lights, LED running lights, and more. Last but not least, it comes with a GDI (gasoline direct injection)! Direct injection will help this baby achieve 30city/40hwy MPGs...

Thoughts... ?

[Greystealth]

Wow that hatch is nice. Looks like a Golf. Eh I still love my fiesta.

[Norm201]

Looks interesting. Did they say what the price range is?

My daughter has a 2005 Kia Spectra hatch. I like it. Very peppy and lots of room. And the warranty is nice.

[WTF]

Originally Posted by Greystealth

Wow that hatch is nice. Looks like a Golf. Eh I still love my fiesta.

Thats what I thought too. Kind of has the styling of a Golf or GTI. Very nice curves IMO.

[BondiBlue]

I like it. The interior looks a bit bland and dated, but the rest is pretty nice.

[Flagstang]

its a kia

[f91]

not winning

[Captainmorbid]

Modding a Kia. Something seems off about that... Like the more power with direct injection though... 6 speed manual, some may like that... Peter Schreyer does some interesting design. All the new Kias look nice, Fiesta is still better.

[aspitaletto]

Originally Posted by Greystealth

Wow that hatch is nice. Looks like a Golf. Eh I still love my fiesta.

exactly

[bustonit]

Somewhat innocuous. The interior does look staid. What's with the ridiculous cubby hole next to the head unit?



The KIA is familiar looking, with exception to the front end. While seeing in person is believing, the KIA looks more like a car built around a body while the Fiesta looks like a cohesively engineered package.

All that being said, one has to drive one to be able to discern the differences.

As it sits, the new Rio is worlds ahead of the old one, but does not appear to be a segment leader. The 138hp/6speed manual is interesting though. The hatch looks familiar too, but more pics would be nice.