2011 Kia Rio

2011 Kia Rio Overview
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2011 Kia Rio
SELECTED TRIM
MSRP Range:$12,295 - $16,095 |Get Dealer Pricing
Value: Below Average
Recalls:0 Recalls

2011 Kia Rio Review

2 Star Rating  (2 Stars) Not best in class, but pretty good

Reviewed by Internet Auto Guide

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Overview
The Rios are Kia's smallest line of vehicles, as well as its most affordable. It comes in a choice of body styles, either a sedan or a hatchback. The Rio comes in three trim levels-base, LX, and SX-and the Rio5 is offered as LX and SX trims. All Rios use the same engine, a 110-horsepower, 1.6L DOHC inline-four, with either a five-speed manual transmission (base sedan only) or a four-speed automatic in all other models. Both the Rio and the Rio5 share the same 98.4-inch wheelbase, and are the same width and height, but the sedan is almost 10 inches longer overall.

The line received a minor refresh for 2010. This gave the sedan and hatchback full body-color bumpers, body-color side moldings, black bezels for the headlights, "tabbed" grilles that match the rest of the Kia line, new exhaust tip design, and side mirrors with integrated turn signals. Inside changes included a standard EcoMinder light, plus the new availability of cruise control.

The Range

  • Body styles: Sedan, hatchback
  • Engines: 1.6L I-4
  • Transmissions: 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic
  • Models: Rio Base, Rio LX, Rio SX, Rio5 LX, Rio5 SX

What's New

Following a minor refresh that happened for 2010, which added new styling cues and interior options, not all that much has changed for 2011. Last year, the manual was the base transmission on all models; now it's only offered on base Rio. Bluetooth connectivity is now available, and it is a part of the optional LX Value Package.

Exterior

Following a minor refresh that happened for 2010, which added new styling cues and interior options, not all that much has changed for 2011. Last year, the manual was the base transmission on all models; now it's only offered on base Rio. Bluetooth connectivity is now available, and it is a part of the optional LX Value Package.

Interior

The Rios look attractive, but a little bland, which fits in pretty well with the rest of the subcompact lineup. Changes last year add some sportier touches, like a new exhaust tip. Fourteen-inch wheels are standard.

Performance & Handling

The Rio gets to 60 mph in 9.4 seconds and through the quarter mile in 17.0 seconds at 80.0 mph. When it was a contender in Car of the Year, it outbraked the Eclipse, only needing 127 feet to stop from 60 mph, and outperformed the Audi A3 in the slalom. Soft suspension and body roll keep it from being truly sporty, though.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags are standard; disc/drum brakes are standard on the base Rio, but four-wheel discs with four-channel ABS are standard everywhere else.

EPA Fuel Economy

  • Rio Base: 28mpg city/34mpg highway.
  • Rio LX, Rio SX: 27mpg city/36mpg highway.
  • Rio5 LX, Rio5 SX: 27mpg city/35mpg highway.

You'll Like

  • Roomy, upscale-looking interior
  • Good fuel economy
  • Low MSRP
  • Responsive brakes

You Won't Like

  • Body roll
  • Outdated four-speed automatic
  • Hard plastics inside
  • What’s optional here is standard in others

Sum Up

2 Star Rating Not best in class, but pretty good
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Build your own Rio, select a trim below

  Engine MSRP Internet Price
Base Sedan
1.6L 110hp
$12,295
Get My Price
LX Sedan
1.6L 110hp
$14,995
Get My Price
SX Sedan
1.6L 110hp
$16,095
Get My Price
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