2011 Kia Rio offers a well-designed interior

2011 Kia Rio Reviews

The KIA Rio handles reasonably well, brakes seem strong, and there's enough gumption from the powertrain and 110-hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine for most driving, aside from high-speed passes.

The 2011 Kia Rio offers a well-designed interior, but it doesn't step outside its small-car roots or offer any packaging magic. While the base-model KIA Rio strictly offers reliable transportation on a tight budget, the 2011 Kia Rio and KIA Rio5 come well-equipped in their upper trims. The KIA Rio SX model gets a sportier suspension, alloy wheels, fog lamps, and a spoiler, plus sport seats, leather trim, and Sirius Satellite Radio.

For the 2011 Kia Rio, the manual transmission is now available only on the base sedan. You get what you pay for with a Kia Rio. The base model Rio lacks power steering, antilock brakes, air-conditioning and power accessories -- items that are increasingly standard in this segment. The 2011 Kia Rio subcompact comes in two body styles: a four-door sedan and a four-door hatchback known as the Rio5.

The "KIA Rio" sedan is offered in three trim levels: the affordable base model, the better-equipped LX and the sporty SX. The Rio5 wagon is available in the LX and SX trims only. The 2011 Kia Rio and Rio5 are powered by a 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine that produces 110 horsepower and 107 pound-feet of torque. On the plus side, the KIA Rio returns favorable fuel economy.

The 2011 Kia Rio comes standard with side-impact airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Antilock brakes are standard on the Rio LX and SX models. The Kia Rio has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash testing procedures. For side impacts, the Rio earned four stars for front-seat occupants and three stars for rear-seat passengers.

Among economy cars, the 2011 Kia Rio boasts one of the nicer interiors available. The Rio's handling is solid and predictable, aided by surprisingly precise steering.

The Rio sedan is Kia's entry in the competitive small-car segment. Trim levels include a bare-bones Base model, an LX and a sporty SX. The KIA Rio competes with the Chevrolet Aveo and Toyota Yaris.