Murphy Auto Group

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Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2011 Kia Rio subcompact comes in two body styles: a four-door sedan and a four-door hatchback known as the Rio5.

The 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 base sedan includes 14-inch steel wheels, power mirrors, a tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery and a four-speaker CD/MP3 stereo with auxiliary/USB audio input jacks and satellite radio.

The LX adds power steering, antilock brakes, air-conditioning and 60/40-split-folding rear seatbacks. The top-of-the-line SX model adds 16-inch alloy wheels, foglights, a rear spoiler, heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signals, power windows, remote keyless entry, cruise control, upgraded cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, Bluetooth and two additional speakers. An optional Value package is available on the LX and adds many of the SX's features. Also available on the LX are 15-inch alloy wheels.

Powertrains and Performance

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. The base model receives a standard five-speed manual transmission while the LX and SX trims get a four-speed automatic.

Performance takes a backseat to economy, as a Rio 5 we tested accelerated from zero to 60 mph in a leisurely 11.5 seconds. On the plus side, the Rio returns favorable fuel economy. With a manual transmission, the EPA estimates mileage at 28 mpg city/34 mpg highway and 31 mpg in combined driving. The automatic is rated at 27/36/30 mpg.

Safety

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. Stability control isn't offered.

The Kia Rio has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash testing procedures. Its 2010 ratings (which aren't comparable to 2011 tests) resulted in four stars (out of a possible five) for driver protection and five stars for passenger protection in frontal impacts. For side impacts, the Rio earned four stars for front-seat occupants and three stars for rear-seat passengers.