2008 Kia Rio Trims and Specs

As Kia's least-expensive car, the 2008 Kia Rio Base delivers pleasing 27/32 fuel economy with its 110-hp, 1.6-liter DOHC inline-four engine and five-speed manual transmission. Together, they produce 107 ft-lbs of torque. The front-wheel-drive sedan seats four, but is really more of a personal commuter car for the budget-minded. It rides on 14-inch steel wheels with all-season tires and a front independent and rear torsion-beam suspension.

Safety features are minimal and include dual front-side and side curtain airbags for both rows, four-wheel disc brakes, and a tire monitor. As such, it earns only acceptable crash-test ratings, ranging from three stars for side impact to five for driver's frontal impact. Rear seats do not fold down, and the trunk holds 12 cubic feet of cargo. Creature comforts are kept to the bare necessities, such as rear defrost, intermittent wipers, a tachometer, and front cupholders. Air conditioning, power windows and locks, and ABS brakes are not available, but a rear spoiler can be added.

Although not luxurious, the 2008 Kia Rio LX adds a few more standard features and options than the Base offers. This front-wheel-drive subcompact economy sedan is powered by a 1.6-liter, 110-hp DOHC inline-four engine and choice of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. It gets 27/32 mpg. Sharing a platform with the Hyundai Accent, the 2008 Rio LX seats four, but has only 34 inches of rear legroom. Unlike the Base trim, the rear seats split-fold in the LX, opening onto a 12-cubic-foot trunk.

Air conditioning, power mirrors, and a four-speaker CD player and radio are upgrades with the 2008 Rio LX. This year it also receives an MP3 input jack. Other standard features include intermittent wipers, a tachometer, rear defrost, front cupholders, front power outlets, and manual lumbar adjustment for the driver's seat. "Acceptable" crash-test ratings might be due to a lack of standard safety features, though the 2008 Rio LX does have dual front-side and side curtain airbags for both rows. Four-wheel disc brakes are standard, and ABS brakes can be added. A tire pressure monitor is also included. The extra options you get with the LX are power windows, locks, and heated mirrors, as well as remote entry. A rear spoiler is also available. Part of the appeal of the budget-oriented Rio is Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.

The 2008 Kia Rio SX adds some sporty touches to the otherwise nondescript front-wheel-drive economy sedan. Standard foglights, a rear spoiler, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shifter, and larger and flashier 15-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires let you feel like you're driving something faster than you are. Actually, the 110-hp, 1.6-liter, 16-valve DOHC inline four moves fine around the city, though it can feel a bit inadequate when trying to pass on the highway. A five-speed manual or four-speed automatic are the transmission options. The 2008 Rio SX features a front independent and rear torsion-beam suspension.

Equipped with dual front-side and front and back side curtain airbags, the 2008 Rio SX earns an acceptable rating in crash tests, with points ranging from three to five depending on where you sit. Four-wheel disc brakes are standard, and ABS is optional. A tire monitor and passenger airbag deactivation are also standard. Interior features include a CD player with a new MP3 input jack, air conditioning, a tachometer, intermittent wipers, and front cupholders and power outlets. Rear seats split-fold, but don't fold flat, and the trunk holds 12 cubic feet. Larger 16-inch alloy wheels can be added, for a sportier touch, along with a power package that includes power windows, locks, and heated mirrors, as well as remote entry.