2003 Kia Rio RX-V - Good Friends Are Hard to Come By
Cars are like people. Either they waste your time, energy and money or they deliver on their word. There are a few in the auto market that resemble my first description, vehicular flakes that will hurt you in the long run. And then, there are others that will respect your friendship, remain loyal to your needs and reliable when called upon.
Which is the Kia Rio? Well, J. D. Powers Initial Quality Study ranked Kia, along with partner Hyundai, as the most improved automakers in 2002. Kia bettered its 2001 rating by 19 percent, while Hyundai moved up 21 percent. This is especially impressive now that Consumer Reports magazine ties Hyundai with much respected Honda in its problems per 100 vehicle rating, both only slightly behind Toyota that holds the top rating. Kia may not be quite as strong as Hyundai, it's difficult to tell as it wasn't mentioned in the report, but it is no doubt close behind.
But enough about what the automotive data experts think. What is the Rio RX-V like to live with? First of all, the regular Rio is a 4-door sedan, relatively tiny compared to most anything else on the road and has the unique distinction of being Canada's lowest priced car at $12,350. That may change when an onslaught of subcompacts hit the market from Chevy, Suzuki and Toyota next year, but for now the Rio's number one. It was recently given a mild redesign, dropping its classy chrome trim for sportier body-color accents.
The Rio RX-V costs a little more than its 4-door sibling, but for $3,400 on top of the ultra-cheap base-price you get a roomy wagon. Five-doors are the rage right now, offering snazzier styling than sedans and enhanced functionality. In this department the little Kia doesn't disappoint, with 621 L (21.9 cu ft) of cargo space and split folding rear seatbacks that make for a fairly flat loading area.
Cars are like people. Either they waste your time, energy and money or they deliver on their word. There are a few in the auto market that resemble my first description, vehicular flakes that will hurt you in the long run. And then, there are others that will respect your friendship, remain loyal to your needs and reliable when called upon. Which is the Kia Rio? Well, J. D. Powers Initial Quality Study ranked Kia, along with partner Hyundai, as the most improved automakers in 2002. Kia bettered its 2001 rating by 19 percent, while Hyundai moved up 21 percent. This is especially impressive now that Consumer Reports magazine ties Hyundai with much respected Honda in its problems per 100 vehicle rating, both only slightly behind Toyota that holds the top rating. Kia may not be quite as strong as Hyundai, it's difficult to tell as it wasn't mentioned in the report, but it is no doubt close behind.
But enough about what the automotive data experts think. What is the Rio RX-V like to live with? First of all, the regular Rio is a 4-door sedan, relatively tiny compared to most anything else on the road and has the unique distinction of being Canada's lowest priced car at $12,350. That may change when an onslaught of subcompacts hit the market from Chevy, Suzuki and Toyota next year, but for now the Rio's number one. It was recently given a mild redesign, dropping its classy chrome trim for sportier body-color accents. The Rio RX-V costs a little more than its 4-door sibling, but for $3,400 on top of the ultra-cheap base-price you get a roomy wagon. Five-doors are the rage right now, offering snazzier styling than sedans and enhanced functionality. In this department the little Kia doesn't disappoint, with 621 L (21.9 cu ft) of cargo space and split folding rear seatbacks that make for a fairly flat loading area.