Tweaked with a longer, wider, more modern profile, added power and a new automatic transmission, the 2012 Kia Rio5 SX might be just what the value-conscious family needs. This 5-door (h...
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Tweaked with a longer, wider, more modern profile, added power and a new automatic transmission, the 2012 Kia Rio5 SX might be just what the value-conscious family needs. This 5-door (hence the “5” tacked onto its moniker), 5-passenger subcompact hatchback remains the flagship of the Rio5 fleet and now sports some added cabin room, as well as 49.8 cubic feet of total cargo space. Meantime, one of the best warranty packages on the market still adds some extra peace of mind. All in all, this little beauty is finally worthy of the 21st Century.
Anyhow, look for Kia’s reworked Rio5 SX to boast 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler and heated power-adjustable mirrors outside, while premium cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, a rear-seat center folding armrest, and leather and simulated alloy trim decorate the telescoping and tilting steering wheel (with standard paddle shifters), as well as accenting the marginally upgraded cabin. Bolstering all this are remote power door locks, power windows, a trip computer, cruise control, a rear-view camera and a much-touted UVO infotainment system with Bluetooth music streaming.
Further standard techno-goodies, meantime, include Bluetooth hands-free calling and an MP3-capable single-CD player with 6 speakers, satellite radio and a USB port.
With new direct-injection (DI) technology, the 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) powerplant boosts power by about 15% to 138 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque. All this is, of course, made possible through the efforts of the brand new 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, which also contributes its bit to mileage estimates of 28 mpg city/36 highway.
Standard noteworthy safety features in the 2012 Rio5 SX remain 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, front side-mounted airbags and turn-signal-integrated mirrors. Also standard are front fog/driving lights and, new for this year, LED daytime running lights.