Bright Silver Kia Rio SX, 2012
I was super excited to find out I was going to get a CAR to review. Never in a million years did I imagine being able to drive a NEW car for a week in exchange for my opinion. When I started blogging, I was excited to get anything to review- even bacon skillet jam. I love being a Mom Blogger! How else can you get a car to review?
Getting this beautiful Kia Rio was an amazing experience. It was delivered right to my driveway with a full tank of gas and I got to drive it for 7 days! We drove it to church, Grocery store, Alton Home Day Parade, and of course, I drove it to work. I put about 280 miles on it that week. It seats 5 comfortably. It’s sporty and fun. The ride was amazingly smooth. It had lots of “get up and go” horsepower. The brakes were easy to get used to. I loved the Back-up Camera, Sirius Satellite radio, Navigation system and the smart key. My son thinks we should buy one.
“Kia is a fun Brand! Exciting and Enabling,” Michael Sprague said, VP of Marketing and Communications.
Features of the Kia Rio:
Mechanical-
- 1.6L, inline 4-cylinder, aluminum block & head DOHC, four valves/cylinder, Dual Continuously Variable
- 6-Speed Automatic Transmission with active Eco system
- Sport-Tunes suspension
- 17″ Tires with Alloy Wheels
Safety-
- Dual Front Advanced Airbags
- Front Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
- Full-Length Side Curtain Airbags
- 3-point seat belts for all seating positions
- LATCH system
- Anti-Lock Brakes
- Traction Control System
- Electronic Stability System
- Hill Assist Control
Interior-
- A/C, Power windows and door locks
- Remote Keyless Entry
- Sirius Satelitte Radio
- UVO In -Vehicle Infotainment system with Rear camera
- 60/40 Split Folding rear seat
- Cruise control
- Bluetooth Wireless Technology
- Push Button Start with
Exterior-
- Auto on/off Headlights
- LED Positioning Lights and tail lights
- Front Fog Lights
- Heated Power-folding Mirrors with Turn Signal Indicators
Fuel Economy-
- 24-36 City MPG
- 33-47 Highway MPG
My Love List:
The Back-up camera was by far my most favorite feature in the Kia Rio. I am not usually prone to backing over stray children, but we do have chickens that tend to be too stupid to move out of the way. My son and I loved watching the back-up camera when I backed up out of the garage. I did find it very useful when I was at the grocery store. Those sneaky shoppers tend to try to run behind your car right when you put it in reverse. I was intrigued by the green, yellow and red lines, but I soon figured out that those were the safe zones so you didn’t actually hit any parked cars.
The Smart key is really an ingenious feature, especially for moms with their hands full. As long as I had the key in my purse, I could unlock the car door with one touch of a button and I could start the car by pressing the electronic start. So convenient. No more digging in my purse for my keys.
The sunroof was very refreshing! I have a sunroof in my car, but it’s so noisy, I never use it. The Kia sunroof was easy to open, just a push of a button and it was very quiet when it was wide open and we were driving at around 50 MPH. No loud wind noises! It makes having a sunroof worthwhile!
I can’t forget the Huge Trunk! We went grocery shopping and it could fit probably 3 times as much as I bought! It’s easy to load and unload, especially when your husband helps. I also packed a bunch of chairs and coolers for the parade we went to. Everything fit with no problem. I think that trunk is bigger than my “trunk” space in my Tiguan.
It’s Fun! It’s so fun it was honored once again as one of the “Six Best New Cars for your Teenager” by Vroomgirls.com – the first comprehensive automotive website created by and for women. The site hailed the Rio for its modern styling, high fuel economy and exceptional overall value. Also highlighted was the subcompact’s abundance of standard amenities, including USB connectivity and steering-wheel controls, while Rio’s impressive warranty and available navigation system received nods as well.
My could “improve” list:
The Driver’s Seat– I felt it did not have enough lumbar support. I was expecting a few more ways to adjust the seat for more comfort.
Very low to the ground- This is from my personal experience. I enjoy a higher ride, as in an SUV. It’s hard for me to get into a car that’s low to the ground.
I had to give it back- If my son had his way, we would have let them drive my Tiguan back and kept the Rio. It was a fun ride and I would have loved to keep it longer.
Overall, I loved the RIO! It is a safe and fun choice for your teenagers, your parents or you! Test drive one today and see if you agree with me.
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