{"id":21534,"date":"2017-12-06T10:10:41","date_gmt":"2017-12-06T14:10:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=21534"},"modified":"2017-12-12T10:13:21","modified_gmt":"2017-12-12T14:13:21","slug":"payne-the-kia-rio-gets-back-to-basics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2017\/12\/payne-the-kia-rio-gets-back-to-basics","title":{"rendered":"Payne: The Kia Rio gets back to basics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div align=\"left\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/-mm-\/b3f81bbc6fce5bddce59107eeb1653c48faf32f9\/c=0-304-4032-3328&amp;r=x404&amp;c=534x401\/local\/-\/media\/2017\/12\/06\/DetroitNews\/B99605074Z.1_20171206171735_000_GCT1P4V6K.1-0.jpg\" alt=\"rio_main2\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div><p class=\"speakable-p-1 p-text\">Ninety miles \u2014 and 250 years \u2014 south of Washington, D.C., on the Potomac River is Stratford Hall, the imposing 18th-century estate that was birthplace to Founding Fathers Richard Henry Lee and Francis Lightfoot Lee and their descendents. It is a historic escape to a simpler, candle-lit time far removed from our LED-lit high-tech world.<\/p>\n<p class=\"speakable-p-2 p-text\">Appropriately, I piloted a subcompact,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kiamedia.com\/us\/en\/models\/rio\/2018\">2018 Kia Rio hatchback<\/a>\u00a0to get there. It was back-to-basics in a basic car.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">I had spent much of the month racing across the country in cutting-edge cars like the Cadillac CT6 plug-in and Tesla Model S. They are extraordinary electrified machines that look sculpted by the wind and can drive themselves for miles. The stubby Rio all but disappears next to these lithe runway models. It\u2019s a duckling next to swans \u2014 but not an ugly duckling.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">I\u2019m happy to report, in fact, that the duckling pond is full of capable cuties these days. And like chicks at the pet shop, they are cheap, cheap, cheap.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ad-position-303\" class=\"partner-placement partner-spike\" data-monetization-id=\"native-article_link\" data-monetization-sizes=\"fluid,3,3\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-news-opinion-305\" class=\"ad-slot\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_7103\/mi-detroit-C1561\/native-article_link\/news\/opinion_1__container__\"><iframe id=\"google_ads_iframe_7103\/mi-detroit-C1561\/native-article_link\/news\/opinion_1\" title=\"3rd party ad content\" name=\"google_ads_iframe_7103\/mi-detroit-C1561\/native-article_link\/news\/opinion_1\" width=\"100%\" height=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"p-text\">I like hatchbacks, and they are plentiful in the subcompact segment at prices that are $2,500 under five-door subcompact sport-utilities:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"p-text\">There\u2019s the sporty-choice (for nuts like me) Ford Fiesta with its athletic design and three engine choices. The pick of the litter is the peppy, turbocharged 1.0-liter which will return a healthy 35 mpg but never bore you. The 1,000-cc engine is the mouse that roared.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Less attractive physically, but proof that beauty is more than skin deep is the Honda Fit with its configurable magic seats. Fold the chairs flat and it sports 53 cubic feet of gaping, ute-like cargo space. Honda being Honda, the Fit ain\u2019t bad in the handling department despite its tired, CVT-driven engine.<\/p>\n<div class=\"partner-outstream\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"p-text\">I love the Chevy Spark for its expressive, bling-tastic exterior and passenger-friendly cockpit with more storage areas than an antique roll top desk.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Missing from this menagerie is a handsome, nimble Volkswagen. But the German brand decided to leave its subcompact Polo on the other side of the pond.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Redesigned for 2018 from the ground up, the Rio nicely fills the German niche beginning with its trim, conservative wardrobe. Kia boasts of the Rio \u201cdelivering a new eye-catching design that is decidedly European.\u201d Translation: German.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The upright design is markedly different from the Accent, which is the Rio\u2019s subcompact corporate cousin. With the introduction of the sensational Audi A7-lookalike \u2014 the $40,000 Stinger GT \u2014 Kia has signaled a sharp break from Hyundai in style and appeal. If the Rio isn\u2019t as beautiful as the Stinger, its heart is undeniably in Deutschland.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Begin with the square hatch which affords generous headroom (legroom is another story for us tall guys) and cargo space. Exterior design cues will be familiar to VW fans, too, from the wrap-around front grille to the big taillights. Look close and Kia\u2019s signature \u201ctiger nose\u201d grille is nothing but a piece of black plastic. That and the soft creases (you could cut your finger on the European Polo\u2019s sharp stampings) are evidence that Kia still has work to do.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">My Rio EX tester was a pleasant sight when the sun dawned on Stratford\u2019s rustic log cabins.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The base LX sedan is a little\u00a0<em>too<\/em>\u00a0rustic for my tastes. Though its $13,900 sticker price will catch your eye in internet ads, its creature comforts are barely above log cabin: crank windows, six-speed manual, cloth seats and no hatchback. The five-door option can\u2019t be had for less than $16,185. There are plenty of low-mileage used cars on the market for $14,000 with much better amenities, so\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/story\/money\/cars\/2013\/04\/24\/cheapest-cars-price-mpg-disappointment-nissan-versa-smart\/2110083\/\">I\u2019m not sure why anyone would bother with a base Rio<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Better to step up to the Rio S hatchback which comes nicely appointed with keyless entry, cruise control and backup camera for just $17,295. The S adds Bluetooth connectivity \u2014 but not the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity crucial to the millennials. Kia makes you pay (unlike Honda) another $3,000 to get the software in my top-trim $20,225 tester.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">But with that kind of dough, you\u2019re getting into larger Honda Civic or Chevy Cruze hatchback territory. Happily, Rio comes with a smartphone-size console cubby so you can follow your phone\u2019s directions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">That\u2019s important because Rio is a hoot to drive, and the next thing you know \u2014 without Miss Google reminding you where to turn \u2014 you\u2019re blowing past your next turn.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Happily, Virginia\u2019s gravel trails have been updated since Light Horse Harry\u2019s days to paved roads. However, with the advent of SUVs we have regressed to the coach days \u2014 high-riding vehicles with high centers of gravity. Lighter, low-riding subcompacts, on the other hand, are optimal for the rolling roads of northwestern Michigan or eastern Virginia.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">With its German-inspired suspension and chassis upgrades, Rio belongs in the subcompact handling club with the Fiesta and Fit. Sure, it employs a cheaper torsion-beam rear suspension (like its peers) but you won\u2019t notice much unless you like to pogo-stick over railroad tracks at 60 mph.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The trip from D.C. to Stratford offers miles of twisted ribbon to stretch the Rio\u2019s legs \u2014 and plenty of center, dotted lines to get around modern coaches.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Rio\u2019s engineers put some spice in the 130-gerbilpower 1.6-liter engine for 2018; it matches the Fit and Fiesta 1.0-liter with a respectable 8-second zero-60 sprint. The Kia doesn\u2019t reach peak torque as fast as Fiesta\u2019s turbo, but drivers may find its six-speed automatic a more welcome companion over long drives that the Honda CVT.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Where the Rio can\u2019t match the Fit is in rear cargo room. But my giant suitcase fit behind the Rio\u2019s back seats, and the Kia\u2019s 100,000-mile drivetrain warranty fits budget-conscious subcompact shoppers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">More easy-on-the-wallet news: Despite flogging the Rio mercilessly over my 180-mile round trip, I got an impressive 36 mpg \u2014 a whopping 4 mpg better than the EPA sticker rating of 32. Add it all up, and you get fuel-efficiency, hatchback space and nimble handling.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">It\u2019s refreshing to get back to basics.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>2018 Kia Rio<\/strong><\/p>\n<div>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>VEHICLE TYPE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\">FRONT-ENGINE, FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE, FIVE-PASSENGER HATCHBACK<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Powerplant<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\">1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Transmission<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\">6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Weight<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\">2,714 pounds (automatic as tested)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Price<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\">$16,185 base ($20,225 EX as tested)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Power<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\">130 horsepower, 119 pound-feet torque<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Performance<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\">0-60 mph, 8.5 sec. (Car and Driver est.); 121 mph top speed<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Fuel economy<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\">EPA mpg est. 28 city\/37 hwy\/32 mpg combined (36 mpg<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">as tested under Payne\u2019s heavy right foot)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Report card<\/strong><\/p>\n<div>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>HIGHS<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\">GERMAN-INSPIRED STYLING, HANDLING; HATCHBACK UTILITY<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Lows<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Standard smartphone app connectivity, please;<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">tight back seats<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Overall: \u2605\u2605\u2605<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ninety miles \u2014 and 250 years \u2014 south of Washington, D.C., on the Potomac River is Stratford Hall, the imposing 18th-century estate that was birthplace to Founding Fathers Richard Henry Lee and Francis Lightfoot Lee and their descendents. It is a historic escape to a simpler, candle-lit time far removed from our LED-lit high-tech world. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21534"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21534"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21534\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21535,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21534\/revisions\/21535"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21534"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21534"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21534"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}