Cars with manual windows, mirrors, and locks

Today we say farewell to our 2012 Nissan Versa 1.6 S sedan review vehicle. This Spartan car proved to be good in many respects, although basic. No power windows, now power locks, no power mirrors, etc. Frankly, I didn’t know there were any cars left on the U.S. market without these three power items. This prompted me to see which other new vehicles are available without power features:

Chevrolet Sonic: Manual windows and mirrors (LS)

Chevrolet Spark: Manual windows and locks (LS)

Ford Fiesta: Manual windows and locks (S)

Honda Civic: Manual windows (DX)

Jeep Patriot: Manual windows and mirrors (Sport)

Kia Rio: Manual windows, mirrors, and locks (LX)

Kia Soul: Manual mirrors (Base)

Kia Forte: Manual windows, mirrors, and locks (LX)

Nissan Versa: Manual windows, mirrors, and locks (1.6 S)

Smart ForTwo: Manual windows and mirrors (Pure)

Toyota Yaris: Manual windows and mirrors (LE)

I think I hit almost all of them. Are there any 2012 or 2013 models that I missed? If so, let me know. Are you in a different country that the U.S.? Which cars don't have power locks, windows, or doors where you are?

Review: 2012 Kia Rio SX sedan: The top-of-the-line trim plus a trunk

Kia’s new-for-2012 Rio has been a hit. Sales are up and overall the car is a big improvement over the previous generation in nearly every respect. We reviewed the 2012 Rio EX hatchback in December. But we recently got a chance to spend a week with the just-released, top-of-the-line SX model, this time in sedan form.

In the driveway: 2012 Kia Rio SX Sedan

It's a rare instance when I find the sedan variant of a car more attractive than the hatchback, but that's the case with the 2012 Kia Rio SX Sedan, this week's review vehicle. I think the lines flow better on the sedan version compared to the Rio EX hatchback I reviewed in December. With that being said, the SX also has the more attractive and distinctive 18" wheels and tires.

This car is loaded: Nav, heated seats, backup camera, sport suspension, six-speed auto, and a lot more, and it's just a tick over $20K—sounds like a good deal to me. Plus, with 30 city and 40 highway MPG, it's frugal. Initial impressions are that it has more personality than the Rio EX, and it's quite posh for what it is. I really like the looks a lot. More later.

Stay tuned.

Motor Trend compares five-door hatchbacks

Photo via MotorTrend.com

Motor Trend has done a small-car comparison in the April issue (and on its website) of a variety of the five-door subcompacts sold on the U.S. market.

The comparison included these 2012 vehicles:

- Suzuki SX4 SportBack
- Hyundai Accent SE
- Kia Rio
- Mazda2
- Chevrolet Sonic LTZ
- Toyota Yaris SE
- Honda Fit

I won't give away who won, you'll have to see the comparison yourself. Having driven all of these vehicles except the Accent, I believe the results are pretty much as I would've expected.

For whatever reason, MT wasn't able to get that great of mileage out of the Mazda2. I found this remarkable since I was able to extract an impressive 37 MPG out of my 2011 Mazda2 review subject. Huh.

SOURCE
Economy Five-Door Hatchback Comparison (Motor Trend)

Review: 2012 Kia Rio EX: A new level of maturity for Kia’s smallest hatchback

2012 Kia Rio EX on a crisp fall day in Oregon. The Rio's styling is simple and clean.

I remember the first time I ever saw the Kia Rio. No, not the all-new 2012 Rio, the 2001 Kia Rio: It was chartreuse in color, somewhat ungainly, and powered by a 1.5-liter engine that didn’t make 100 hp. It was basic transportation. The 2012 Kia Rio has come light years from what the first-gen Rio was, and has improved quite a bit over the previous model. The model has matured, and it’s now set to take on the best of the best in the b-segment. Competition is getting fiercer by the month in the subcompact segment, and Kia has certainly upped its game with its latest subcompact.

In the driveway: 2012 Kia Rio EX

Subcompact Culture attended the launch of the 2012 Kia Rio back in October. There, Mercedes (my wife and fellow contributor) talked about the host of new features and gave some initial driving impressions. Well, now we'll have the mid-level Rio EX for a week (and I'll finally get to drive it, too).

Driven: The 2012 Kia Rio EX Five Door

I was in Austin, TX for the launch of the new 2012 Kia Rio and Soul, and I had the opportunity to spend some time driving both cars. First, I got to drive a '12 Rio EX five-door. (Stay tuned for thoughts on the 2012 Soul.)

The car I drove had the six-speed automatic (with Active Eco System) and the 1.6-liter gasoline direct injection engine, which makes 138 horsepower. Edgy and enthusiastic, solid and sporty, the Rio has come a long way since its original debut in 2001, and should give its competitors a run for their money.

2012 Kia Rio and Soul: Overview

Last week, I attended 2012 Kia Rio and Soul launch, held at Travaasa Resort in Austin, TX. Here I test drove the new Rio five-door and refreshed Soul, learned about Kia’s newest technologies, heard where the company was headed for in the future, and what they were presently accomplishing.

Kia says within the last three years, it has been the fastest growing car brand in the US. Their vehicle sales have risen over 50% (year to date) vs. last year, they’ve had 13 consecutive months of record sales, and have 16 years of increased US market shares—pretty impressive.

Kia Rio to go racing

Well look who's going racing. Kia already has a Forte race car, which by the way, won the GRAND-AM Championship in the Street Tuner Class this year. Now Kia is gearing up its all-new 2012 Rio for the track, too. Kia is actually partnering with Kinetic Motorsports who will offer racers the necessary upgrades to turn an off-the-lot Rio into a race-ready subcompact. I wouldn't be surprised to see a factory-backed car, either. Hey, it could happen, and it did with Toyota's Yaris.

Car and Driver compares the latest subcompacts with somewhat surprising results.

The folks over at Car and Driver has posted their six-car comparison that includes the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Accent, Nissan Versa, Kia Rio, and Chevrolet Sonic. All but the Fit are 2012 models. The results of the comparison are a bit surprising, too.

Autoblog drives the 2012 Kia Rio

The first drives of the 2012 Kia Rio are starting to come out. Autoblog just released its impressions of the Korean subcompact, and they look good. I'm really looking forward to driving one.

As I've mentioned in the past, I really like the looks. It's edgy, modern, and should get 40MPG highway, by the way.

Anyway, here's the link to their review.

Follow up: 40 (MPG) really is the new 30 (MPG)

Back in November, I posed the question, "Is 40 (MPG) the new 30 (MPG)?" After seeing the small cars from the 2011 New York Auto Show, you can believe it is.

Hyundai's Accent and Kia's Rio both joined the 40 MPG club. That means the 2011 Ford Fiesta, 2011 Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze ECO, Smart ForTwo Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Accent, and Kia Rio are all among the 40 MPG club. Of course, the Volkswagen TDI is there, too, but on diesel. Yes, there are a number of hybrid models here, too.

The next-generation Nissan Versa has been announced, and its mileage is only 34 on the highway, which might prove too little for fuel-thrifty buyers (assuming gas prices continue skyward). and it gets 37 mpg on the highway. The new Yaris is due for its debut soon, as is the Toyota iQ, so we'll see how many MPGs they'll get. Ditto that for the upcoming Chevrolet Sonic. Until then, we've got the elite bar-raising 40 MPG club. We'll see who's inducted next.

2012 Kia Rio debuts at New York Auto Show

I've posted up photos of the 2012 Kia Rio before, but now we've got specifics. Like the '12 Kia Soul and '12 Hyundai Accent, the Rio will get the company's 1.6-liter gasoline direct injection (GDI) powerplant, good for 138 hp and 123 ft./lbs. of torque. Fuel economy will be 30 city, 40 highway. A six-speed manual and automatic will be available.

No curb weight was given, but the wheelbase extends to a lengthy (for a subcompact) 101.2 inches. The overall length is 153.9 inches, which is only one inch longer than the current model. This tells me Kia has pushed the wheels to the corners, which probably helps handling, but typically looks better, too.

The '12 Rio will be available as a sedan and hatchback, just like before. I find both extremely attractive; possibly the best looking '12 subcompact cars I've  seen yet. Really dig the '12 Rio5.

Hot hatch version of the Kia Rio?

Maybe you've seen photos or drawings of the upcoming Kia Rio (which looks awesome, frankly). Today, rumors of a hot hatch version of the Rio. Could it happen? According to Autocar, it could happen ... at least in Europe.

However, in the U.S., looking at the upcoming hot hatch landscape, it might just make sense here, too. First off, you've got Chevrolet announcing there will be a 1.4-liter turbocharged version of its upcoming Aveo replacement, the Sonic. You've got Ford all but confirming there will be a hot, turbo version of the Fiesta. You've already got a force-fed MINI Cooper. We'll see.

LINK
Autocar

2012 Kia Rio bows at Geneva

Here are official photos of the 2012 Kia Rio. I must say, I think it's hot looking! It kind of has a European look to it, ala VW Golf/Audi A3. However, it's still different. I've read some comments that some think it looks a bit like a Fiesta, too.

There will be a number of four-cylinder powertrains: a 1.25-liter making 83 hp and 87 ft./lbs. of torque; a 1.4-liter making 108 hp and 100 ft./lbs. of torque (likely the engine we'd get in the U.S.), and two diesel engines—a 1.1-liter three banger, and a 1.4-liter. All will get a six-speed manual (sans the 1.25 liter, which gets a five-speed); the 1.4-liter gas burner will get a four-speed auto option, too.

Whatever you want to compare it to, I think it looks fantastic. Yet another possible hit by the continuously upcoming Korean manufacturer.

2012 Kia Rio images

The Kia Rio has been the Korean automaker's subcompact offering since 2000. Redesigned in 2006, the Rio is getting a bit long in the tooth, and sales have reflected this. However, the 2012 Rio will likely catapult the car into the small car spotlight as it's set to compete with the best of the best in the market. These images have been released ahead of the upcoming Geneva Auto Show.

Powerplants will range from a 1.1-liter diesel for Europe to larger gas powerplants for the U.S. I've read that it could be the 1.6-liter direct-injection Hyundai four-cylinder making 138 horsepower/123 ft./lbs. of torque.

The third-generation Rio will be two inches longer, one inch wider, and a half-inch lower than the current generation.

I happen to think the car looks fantastic, and bet it will be a major contender in the rapidly growing and increasingly competitive U.S. subcompact market.

What's the most under-appreciated subcompact?

I was looking through my photos this morning and ran across some tricked-out Kia Rios. I thought, dang, those look good dropped on some custom wheels. Yet, you don't see many tricked-out Kia Rios even though they sell pretty well.

There is a Kia Rio enthusiast base, and as evidenced above, they can look pretty good. They're pretty good cars and you get a lot for your money, especially the 2010s, which have Bluetooth standard on the SX ...

So what's the most under-appreciated subcompact on the market these days?

2011 Kia Rio: Automatic transmission only?

I just got done paging through the latest edition of Car and Driver—the "New Car Issue." While perusing the changes for 2011, especially in the subcompact market, I noticed it said the Kia Rio's manual transmission was "going bye bye."

I know the manual transmission is a dying breed, but no option on a Rio/Rio5? Wow. We'll have to wait until official 2011 Rio specs are released to be sure. I find it a bit hard to believe, but if it's true, it goes to show that even people that buy the least expensive cars on the market still don't want to shift it themselves. Insert frowning face here.

Reskinned Rio for 2010

Kia's popular Rio sedan and Rio5 hatchback get a mild reskin for 2010. Although not highly promoted, the mild updates look good, and ditch the black bumpers and door moldings—elements some people immediately associate with "economy car." Both the front and rear fascias look more upscale, making the car's overall appearance more sophisticated; it's very tasteful.


LINK
Kia.com

IIHS says small car bumpers are expensive to fix

The insurance-industry-funded Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) performed low-speed bumper collisions on seven vehicles including the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Smart ForTwo, MINI Cooper, and Chevrolet Aveo. Five of the seven cars received "poor" ratings; the Chevrolet garnered "marginal" rating, while the Smart got an "acceptable" rating.

So how expensive are these bumpers to fix? See the table below.

	Rating	Front full	Front corner	Rear full	Rear corner	WEIGHTED AVERAGE
Smart Fortwo	ACCEPTABLE	$1,480	$663	$631	$507	$899
Chevrolet Aveo	MARGINAL	$1,071	$1,437	$1,370	$612	$1,155
Mini Cooper	POOR	$2,291	$2,637	$929	$743	$1,637
Toyota Yaris	POOR	$1,688	$1,167	$3,345	$474	$1,951
Honda Fit	POOR	$1,124	$1,216	$3,648	$999	$1,960
Hyundai Accent	POOR	$3,476	$839	$2,057	$831	$2,123
Kia Rio	POOR	$3,701	$1,758	$3,148	$773	$2,705

The IIHS says, "Better bumpers don't have to be complicated. Auto manufacturers already know how to make good ones. Longer and taller reinforcement bars and energy-absorbing material are key to reducing damage in low-speed collisions."

I think they're thinking something more akin to the bumper on the Toyota van above.

For a complete lineup of photos and the full press release, click the links ... and don't hit anything on your way there. It'll be expensive.

LINKS
FULL PRESS RELEASE: Mini and microcar bumpers allow pricey damage (IIHS)
IIHS: Small Cars Are Big On Damage In Low-Speed Collisions (Jalopnik)