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2006 Kia Rio Sub-Compact Economy Station Wagon
…Continued
Bigger, better and still ultra cheap
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I also liked Kia's 110-horsepower, 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine as I pulled out of the parking lot and into highway traffic. It obviously never felt like a racecar, but it had enough kick to pull the lightweight car nicely and efficiently down the road. It didn't seem quite as wheezy as some other cars in the Rio's ultra-low-end price range (it starts around $10,500).
On the downside, the Rio still feels like a very cheap car in many ways.
When you touch the interior trim it feels like it's made from the same plastic as Little Tykes toys, and a lot of the switchgear feels flimsy and imprecise. None of that inspires confidence that you're driving a high-quality car, despite the Rio's 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty.
The body styling also reeks of cheapness, although it's not necessarily an ugly car. The front end is fairly contemporary and Ford-like, but big, wide, nasty strips of matte black plastic trim across the doors and bumpers just look tacky. It could be a much better looking car than it is.
Then again, who buys a Kia as a fashion statement? It's supposed to be an inexpensive, practical, reliable family car, and that's exactly what it is -- no more, no less.
Pros: It offers a lot of space for the money. It's a perfectly practical car for a small family at a dirt-cheap price, and a 10-year warranty inspires confidence.
Cons: You can get cars that drive a whole lot better than the Rio for just a little more cash. The interior also feels about as cheap and cheesy as anything else on the road.
Ratings (1-10)
- Style: 3
- Performance: 5
- Price: 9
- Handling: 3
- Ride: 4
- Comfort: 4
- Quality: 6
- Overall: 5
More Data
Where Built: South Korea
Major Options: Power Package. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, Rear spoiler.
Seating: 5
Number of Rows: 2
Length in Inches: 166.9 and 158.1
Warrantees: 5 years/36,000 miles Bumper to bumper, 10 years/100,000 miles Extended powertrain warranty, 5 years/100,000 miles Corrosion protection, 5 years/60,000 miles Free roadside assistance.
Weight in Pounds: 2365 lbs â€' 2403 lbs.
Cargo Capacity in Pounds: Not available.
Gross Maximum Vehicle Weight in Pounds: Not available.
Towing Capacity in Pounds: Not available.
Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 11.9
Destination Charge: $540
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