Handling and Braking
Considering it’s one of the least expensive affordable small cars in the class, the 2011 Kia Rio handles very well. Test drivers report that its ride is smooth and stable, and the cabin is quiet at highway speeds. They do caution, however, that the Rio’s suspension doesn’t absorb a lot of bumps on rough roads. You’ll have to pay more for a car with a smoother ride, like the Kia Forte. It costs $1,650 more but offers more standard features than nearly any car in the class and a better suspension. If the Forte is too expensive, don’t worry; the Rio is well suited for city driving and will meet most drivers’ needs just fine.
See also:
Enhancing occupant and pedestrian safety
Fitted as standard in most European countries, new safety features will
include ESC with a new Roll-over Sensor that deploys the side airbags, curtain
airbags and seatbelt pretensioners when requi ...
Interior Features
Test drivers say the Rio and Rio5 have easy-to-read gauges and generally like
the layout of the dash, but the praise ends there. The Rio’s barebones interior
comes with a four-speaker audio syst ...
Windshield defrosting and defogging
WARNING - Windshield
heating
Do not use the or position
during cooling operation in
extremely humid weather. The difference
between the temperature of
the outside air and the windshield
could c ...


