Kia was one of the first mass-market auto brands to introduce LED daytime running lights to its lineup, and once again the Korean brand is bringing technology usually reserved for luxury cars into its Rio sub-compact in the form of Stop/Start.
The 2013 Rio starts at $13,600, but the fuel-saving Eco package will cost you at least $1,550 on top of that.
So is that added cost really worth it? Read on to find out more about the Rio Eco.
While stop/start systems may have originated in luxury cars, the components in place on the Rio Eco certainly did not. The stop half of the stop/start is smooth and quiet, but the start is anything but. When you begin to accelerate, the engine boots up and forces the small car to hop forward. It is an abrupt feeling, which reminds you at every stoplight that it is working.
The Rio is fitted with large HVAC controls and clear knobs and buttons for the infotainment system. Everything is simple, spacious and feels like its in the right spot. Nothing over the top, the Rio delivers a straightforward interior that simply works. And thanks to its bubbly design it feels more spacious inside than many other small cars.
Considering it’s one of the cheapest cars in its class, the handling on this little car proves to be rather fun. The electric power steering feels heavier than many other Hyundai/Kia vehicles that use the same system, which gives the Rio tight, quick steering. More so than its Hyundai counterpart, the Rio feels more akin to the Ford Fiesta and Chevy Sonic when it comes to handling.
The Rio takes a smoother approach to design compared to the American subcompacts which seem to have sharper angles and hard lines. That bubbly appearance is not too chubby however, and gives this Kia a handsome look. In its class, the Rio is easily competes for the title of most stylish, and looks like it is beyond its price tag.
The Eco package is only a $400 option, but to purchase it you must also buy the $1,150 convenience package. The convenience package adds features like 15-inch alloy wheels, UVO infotainment, leather-wrapped steering wheel, but does nothing to help save gas.
The Kia Rio Eco is EPA rated at 30 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. That is 1 mpg better in the city, but one less on the highway when compared to the standard manual-transmission equipped Kia Rio. And even though our time with the car returned a 30 mpg combined rating, it still seems like too much investment for not enough gain. For someone who spends all of their time in the city, the system may be worth it.
Thinking about buying a new car? Interested in the Rio?
Visit AutoGuide’s new car buying section here. If you want, you can skip to Kia.