2012 Kia Rio Trims and Specs

Totally redesigned for 2012, Kia’s base Rio LX 5-passenger subcompact sedan now sports some spiffy looks, a beefed-up 4-cylinder engine and some extra girth, all while keeping its traditional lengthy warranty and family-oriented value.

A couple of additional inches in length and an extra inch of width mean a bit more cabin room, while trunk space is upped to 13.7 cubic feet. Standard appearance features complementing this bold new profile include 15-inch steel wheels and heated power-adjustable mirrors, while the spruced-up interior boasts cloth upholstery, front bucket seats and a rear folding armrest. A trip computer is added to the instrument cluster, while tilt-wheel steering helps drivers find a comfy seating position. Lastly, manually adjustable air conditioning complements an MP3-capable single-CD player sporting 4 speakers, and it comes bolstered with standard satellite radio and a USB port.

Look for carpeted floor mats and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror with an integrated Homelink universal remote garage door opener to stand as this little 4-door’s only notable options.

A reworked 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) powerplant now uses direct fuel injection (DI) to boost engine performance in the Rio LX to 138 hp, some 28 ponies more than last year’s Base trim. With the brand-new 6-speed manual transmission, this pint-size sedan now pounds out 123 lb-ft of torque—16 lb-ft better than last year—while the EPA estimates 29 mpg city/37 highway. Additionally, this tweaked-out base sedan can be equipped with an available—and also new—6-speed shiftable automatic transmission for mileage numbers of 28/36.

Standard safety equipment, finally, includes 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, and front side-mounted airbags.

Need a redesigned 5-passenger subcompact sedan that humps some hefty value, room and power? Check out the 2012 Kia Rio EX. This midlevel trim now sports a new, modern look, 13.7 cubic feet of trunk space, more legroom (at least in front) and direct injection. But fear not, it still retains one of the best warranty packages in the business, so its traditional family value is not at all compromised.

Outside, look for standard 15-inch steel wheels and heated power-adjustable mirrors, while premium cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, a rear center folding armrest and simulated alloy accents make for a welcoming new cabin appearance. Then there are such added standard convenience amenities as remote power door locks, power windows, cruise control, telescoping tilt-wheel steering and a trip computer. Complementing all this are goodies like air conditioning and Bluetooth hands-free calling, with entertainment consisting of an MP3-capable single-CD player with 6 speakers, satellite radio and a USB port.

Options-wise, the 2012 Rio EX is eligible for an available Convenience Package that stars 15-inch alloy wheels, power-folding outside mirrors, Kia’s touted UVO infotainment system with Bluetooth music streaming, a rear-view camera, soft-touch dashboard material and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob. Also, this midlevel trim can be delivered with an available auto-dimming rear-view mirror with an integrated universal remote garage door opener, as well as available carpeted floor mats.

Powering this year’s reworked Rio EX is a direct-injected (DI) 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine that mates with a new 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission to cook up 138 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque, some 15% more oomph than last year’s trim. Mileage, meanwhile, is estimated at 28 mpg city/36 highway.

Finally, this midlevel trim also becomes eligible for Kia’s brand-new ECO Package, featuring ISG (Idle, Stop and Go) technology, whereby, as in a traditional hybrid system, the engine automatically shuts off at a stop and restarts when the pedal is pushed to go.

Safety-wise, look for this tricked-out Rio to boast 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, front side-mounted airbags and turn-signal-integrated mirrors. Front fog/driving lights, finally, are optional for the new-look EX.

The redesigned Kia Rio SX brings with it a more modern look, a reworked 4-cylinder powerplant and some extra length and width for 2012. This flagship 5-passenger sub-compact sedan also totes some added cabin room and a trunk that’ll now hold up to 13.7 cubic feet of luggage, groceries or whatever. This is definitely not your father’s Rio, but it does retain your dad’s value and superlative warranty coverage.

Outside the tweaked Rio SX, look for 17-inch alloy wheels and heated power-adjustable mirrors, while the cabin sports premium cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, leather and simulated alloy steering wheel, shifter knob and cabin accents, and a rear-seat center armrest. Also adorning the interior are cruise control, telescoping tilt-wheel steering with paddle shifters, a trip computer and a rear-view camera, with Kia’s touted UVO infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth music streaming, also delivered standard.

All of this is, of course, bolstered by Bluetooth hands-free communications and an MP3-capable single-CD player with 6 speakers, satellite radio and a USB port.

An auto-dimming rear-view mirror with integrated universal remote garage door opener, along with carpeted floor mats, of course, remain available for the top-shelf Rio SX sedan. Additionally, this flagship trim can be delivered with an available Premium Package that throws in a hard-drive-based navigation suite (replacing the UVO system), push-button start, leather-trimmed upholstery, heated front seats and a power sunroof.

Standard power for the top-end Rio SX sedan is a 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine, now with direct fuel injection (DI), that mates with a brand-new 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission for 138 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque. This pumped-up drivetrain boasts about 15% more power than last year, with mileage estimated at 28 mpg city/36 highway.

Finally, standard safety features for the 2012 Rio SX sedan include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, and front side-mounted airbags. This top-shelf trim also sports standard turn-signal-integrated mirrors, front fog/driving lights and, new for 2012, LED daytime running lights.