Acceleration and Power

All Rio and Rio5 models have a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 110 horsepower. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the Rio sedan, and a four-speed automatic is available for around $800 on all models except the base sedan. The Rio5 has the same 1.6 liter engine, but comes standard with a four-speed automatic transmission.

The EPA estimates that the 2011 Rio achieves 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway with the standard manual transmission. The automatic transmission, which is standard on the Rio5, nets 27 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. These numbers -- particularly the city fuel economy rating -- are good for the class.

The Kia Rio is not a powerful car, but test drivers say it works well as a daily driver. For a more fun–to-drive experience, try the manual transmission. Reviewers find its acceleration is sprightly, while the automatic transmission is a bit sluggish.

    See also:

    Cruise control system
    The cruise control system allows you to program the vehicle to maintain a constant speed without resting your foot on the accelerator pedal. This system is designed to function above approximatel ...

    Safety belts
    Pre-tensioner safety belt Your vehicle is equipped with driver's and front passenger's pre-tensioner safety belts. The purpose of the pretensioner is to make sure that excess slack is taken up ...

    Door locks
    Operating door locks from outside the vehicle • Turn the key toward the rear of the vehicle to unlock and toward the front of the vehicle to lock. • If you lock the door with a key, all veh ...