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2009 Kia Rio Review
Inexpensive, fuel-efficient, practical, enjoyable.
2009 Rio Review Summary & Specifications
The Kia Rio is an enjoyable car that's easy to live with. We found the Rio5 SX the most enjoyable, with its combination of hatchback versatility and sporty and luxury touches. All Rios come with a comprehensive set of passive safety features; even the base model boasts six airbags. All models get Kia's generous five-year/60,000-mile warranty coupled with a 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty.NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent John Rettie is based in Santa Barbara.
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| Vehicle Category | Compact Cars |
| Editor | New Car Test Drive |
| Model Lineup | Kia Rio sedan ($11,495); LX ($13,225); LX automatic ($14,075); SX manual ($14,025); SX automatic ($14,875); Rio5 LX ($13,325); Rio5 LX automatic ($14,175); Rio5 SX ($14,280); Rio5 SX automatic ($15,125) |
| Engines (standard) | 1.6-liter DOHC 16-valve inline-4 |
| Engines (optional) | 110-hp 1.6-liter DOHC 16-valve inline-4 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 5-speed manual |
| Transmissions (optional) | 5-speed manual; 4-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | frontal airbags, front seat side-impact airbags, full-coverage side-impact curtain airbags, front seatbelt pre-tensioners, tire pressure monitor |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | ABS |
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Hwasung, South Korea |
| Manufacturer Phone | 800-333-4542 |
| Manufacturer URL | www.kiario.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 11495 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Kia Rio5 SX manual ($14,280) |
| Standard Equipment | air conditioning, power-assisted steering, eight-way adjustable driver's seat with a fold-down armrest, tachometer, rear defroster, rear wiper/washer, dual 12V power outlets, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, tilt steering, metal pedals, AM/FM/CD/MP3 with SIRIUS Satellite Radio, fog lights, 15-inch alloy wheels |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | Power Package ($600) includes power windows, power door locks w/keyless remote, power heated outside mirrors, tweeter speakers, steering wheel audio controls; carpeted floor mats ($95) |
| Destination Charge | 650 |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Layout | front-wheel drive |
| Price as Tested | 15625 |
| Horse Power | 110 @ 6000 |
| Torque | 107 @ 4500 |
| Fuel Economy | 27/33 |
| Wheelbase | 98.4 |
| Length/Width/Height | 158.1/66.7/57.9 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 33.1 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 39.6/50.8/42.8 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 37.8/50.0/34.3 |
| Trunk Volume | 49.6 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | |
| Front Suspension | independent, MacPherson struts, coil springs, stabilizer bar |
| Rear Suspension | torsion beam, coil springs |
| Ground Clearance | 6.1 |
| Curb Weight | 2438 |
| Stock Tires | P195/55R15 |
| Brakes Front/Rear | vented disc/drum |
| Fuel Capacity | 11.9 |
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