Cars
KIA RIO 5-DOOR
Less than ten years ago, less than two generations ago, the thought of a Kia Rio entering The Good 12 would have been so unthinkable as to not even be laughable. The 2001-2005 Kia Rio's automatic shifter slammed into drive with the charm of an ox running through a chain link fence. The engine, rough and cacophonous, struggled to be heard above the excessive wind and road noise created by a car that seemed to have left the factory without sound deadening materials. It was slow, crude, painful, and embarrassing.
The 2012 Kia Rio 5-Door, on the other hand, is now being recommended as one of the 12 cars you should consider in 2012, and not just for buyers with the bare minimum to spend. The Rio's interior is a winner: ergonomically correct, filled with well-built buttons, even fitted with some visually interesting switches. There's space to be found in the rear, and believe it or not, it's easier to get comfortable back there than in the 2012 Accent.
The interior may be what keeps your attention, but it's the exterior that brought you to a Kia store in the first place. From the scalloped body sides to the SEAT Leon-like tail to the aggressive nose and the fancy wheels, the 2012 Kia Rio hatchback is - subjectively, of course - the best-looking car in its class, and by a healthy measure.
A true measure of whether an automaker nailed it or not is found by asking yourself if you'd be willing to pay even more than the asking price. Don't tell Kia, but the loaded Rio 5-door SX (EX Luxury in Canada), with its backup camera and leather seating and heated seats and navigation and automatic climate control and UVO, is worth more than $21,000 CDN.
Engines: 138 horsepower; 123 lb-ft of torque from a 1.6L four-cylinder
Base USD/CAD Price: $13,600 / $14,095
City Fuel Economy: 30 miles per gallon
It's Not Perfect: Big wheels and bulging fenders do not a hot hatch make. The Kia Rio 5-door looks like a fine candidate for the Hyundai Veloster's upcoming 1.6L turbo, but in the meantime, the Rio's humble subcompact roots are apparent in its on-road demeanor.
Sales Stats: In recent years Rio sales have taken a tumble, falling 29% in the United States and 30% in Canada in 2010. The Rio may end up falling under the Hyundai Accent's shadow despite its handsome lines, but Rio sales are surely about to improve. Monthly and yearly sales figures for the Kia Rio hatchback and sedan can be viewed here.
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Cars
2012's The Good 12 - Kia Rio 5-Door
KIA RIO 5-DOOR
The interior may be what keeps your attention, but it's the exterior that brought you to a Kia store in the first place. From the scalloped body sides to the SEAT Leon-like tail to the aggressive nose and the fancy wheels, the 2012 Kia Rio hatchback is - subjectively, of course - the best-looking car in its class, and by a healthy measure.
A true measure of whether an automaker nailed it or not is found by asking yourself if you'd be willing to pay even more than the asking price. Don't tell Kia, but the loaded Rio 5-door SX (EX Luxury in Canada), with its backup camera and leather seating and heated seats and navigation and automatic climate control and UVO, is worth more than $21,000 CDN.
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Engines: 138 horsepower; 123 lb-ft of torque from a 1.6L four-cylinder
Base USD/CAD Price: $13,600 / $14,095
City Fuel Economy: 30 miles per gallon
It's Not Perfect: Big wheels and bulging fenders do not a hot hatch make. The Kia Rio 5-door looks like a fine candidate for the Hyundai Veloster's upcoming 1.6L turbo, but in the meantime, the Rio's humble subcompact roots are apparent in its on-road demeanor.
Sales Stats: In recent years Rio sales have taken a tumble, falling 29% in the United States and 30% in Canada in 2010. The Rio may end up falling under the Hyundai Accent's shadow despite its handsome lines, but Rio sales are surely about to improve. Monthly and yearly sales figures for the Kia Rio hatchback and sedan can be viewed here.
The Good 12
BMW 3-Series - Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon - Chevrolet Suburban
Ford F-150 EcoBoost 4x4 - Ford Focus Titanium Hatchback - Jeep Wrangler
Kia Rio 5-Door - Land Rover LR4 - Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
Ford F-150 EcoBoost 4x4 - Ford Focus Titanium Hatchback - Jeep Wrangler
Kia Rio 5-Door - Land Rover LR4 - Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
Nissan Juke - Porsche Boxster Spyder - Volkswagen GTI
The Bad 8
The Bad 8
Acura RL - Chrysler 200 Convertible - Ford Explorer EcoBoost
Honda Crosstour - Lincoln MKS - Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet
Nissan Versa Sedan - Toyota Corolla CE
Honda Crosstour - Lincoln MKS - Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet
Nissan Versa Sedan - Toyota Corolla CE
The Good 12 Rules
- 2012's The Bad 8 - Nissan Versa Sedan
NISSAN VERSA SEDAN It worked fairly well the first time around, so Nissan stayed true to practice with the second-generation Versa sedan by making it as ugly as possible. Where the first Versa sedan was devoid of styling, as though Nissan...
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VOLKSWAGEN GTI Since the Golf-based Volkswagen GTI first came to market nearly 30 years ago, numerous rivals - both direct and indirect - have come and gone. There are new rivals on the way. Scion's FR-S is a rear-wheel drive boxer-engined...
- 2012's The Good 12 - Nissan Juke
NISSAN JUKERemember when Elaine's roommate, George's girlfriend, got the nose job? Things didn't turn out so well. So before you ask Nissan to take the Juke to some Hollywood miracle surgeon, keep that memory in mind. Besides, aren't...
- 2012's The Good 12 - Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER EVOQUE There's no doubt the Range Rover Evoque has already won more prestigious awards. Top Gear named it the magazine's car of the year, for example. The Evoque is not a very powerful vehicle. It's not especially...
- 2012's The Good 12 - Ford Focus Titanium Hatchback
FORD FOCUS TITANIUM HATCHBACK Replace the Blue Oval on the front grille and the new 2012 Ford Focus Titanium Hatchback looks like a premium-priced competitor for the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz B-Class. In truth, the high-end Focus equipment lines...