Kia Rio:

2009 SEMA Kia Rio5

Kia is about to become an interesting company. The Soul is a refreshing design from the Korean firm, and the upcoming Forte is a clean design that has been receiving good reviews. So it puzzles us why with so much new good stuff on the horizon, Kia would choose the ho-hum Rio5 to represent the company at SEMA.

The car starts with a Kia-genuine body kit and adds a revised front mesh grille, blackened headlamps, custom wheels, revised strut brace and cold air intake system, a cat-back exhaust, and stainless steel door sill plates. The lowered frame sits wrapped around larger wheels and tires by TSW and Goodyear. So the execution is good (and even the paint job looks nice), but the fact remains under all this is a Rio5.

Much of this kit is available through Kia dealers (some of it is being tested for future availability.) So if you’re somehow stuck with a Rio5, at least it doesn’t have to be a completely dull one.

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Kia Rio to recive Hybrid-technology

The Koreans believe in the hybrid-technology. The proof of this is provided by Kia, who will launch at Geneva a prototype of a hybrid Rio. The car gets a 1,4-liter engine under the hood, that will be offered in combination with an electric motor with 66 lbs-ft. Hyundai has announced last year that it will be adding hybrid vehicles to its lineup. Originally, the Kia Rio hybrid was set to launch in late 2006; however, due to currency issues, Hyundai has pushed back the development of (...
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Top ten fun and efficient car

How do you chose a car when you buy one? Being efficient is one of the first things you ask for, especially with today’s gas prices. And if efficiency is combined with some fun, when you have a perfect car to buy! Top Ten fun and efficient car Tesla Roadster - EPA fuel economy: 135 mpg equivalent Mazda MX-5 - EPA fuel economy, city/highway: 22–25/30 Mazda 3 - EPA fuel economy, city/highway: 25–28/31–35 BMW 328i - EPA fuel economy, city/highway: 20–21/29–30 Mercedes-Benz (.
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2006 Kia Rio/Rio5 Ranked Highest in Sub-compact Car Category

The 2006 Kia Rio/Rio5 ranked highest for initial quality in the sub-compact category in a tie according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Initial Quality Study(SM) (IQS). The annual report, released today, measures 217 vehicle attributes across eight categories, including the driving experience, engine and transmission, and a broad range of quality problem symptoms reported by vehicle owners. "Rio is a class-leading sub-compact vehicle and an excellent example of Kia’s (...
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2006 KIA Rio

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When the Kia Rio first went on-sale in August 2000, it arrived under the premise that low-cost cars did not have to be dull. Reliable and affordable, the subcompact sedan spent much of its first four years as the lowest priced new vehicle in the U.S. and was the company’s best-selling nameplate in 2001, helping Kia grow in the U.S. market.

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