Review The Kia Rio -Quality In The Sub-Compact Segment

J.D. Power and Associates has recently released its 2007 Initial Quality Study SM (IQS) and the 2007 Kia Rio/Rio5 ranked highest in initial quality in the sub-compact segment. This is the second consecutive year that Rio/Rio5 has received this honor.
In 2006 the study was completely redesigned to capture issues experienced by owners in two distinct categories – quality of design and quality of production (defects and malfunctions).
In the study, the Kia Rio/Rio5 topped the sub-compact segment at 102 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). The annual report measures 228 vehicle attributes across eight categories, including the driving experience, engine and transmission, and a broad range of quality problem symptoms reported by vehicle owners.

For 2007, the Rio and Rio5 model lineup, which includes three trim levels for the four-door sedan – Base, LX and SX – and the Rio5 SX five-door, continues to offer the same combination of engine performance and fuel economy as the 2006 model. All 2007 Rios feature a 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder, 110-hp engine with a standard 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic. Base models are about as base as they get, without even power steering. The new SX is equipped with larger 15-inch tires, foglights, sporty metallic interior trim, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. This is on top of what the top-end LX offers, such as power steering, front console and air conditioning.

None of the trims come standard with power features, though there is an optional power package. Rear seats fold 60/40, and the Rio5 hatchback has expanded trunk space. When the seats are down in the hatch, the trunk offers 49.5 cubic feet of storage.
Rio and Rio5 also offer one of the largest interior volumes in their class, as well as six standard airbags, including full-length side-curtain airbags.

Kia Motors America – the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea – offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 630 retailers throughout the United States. Kia is also maker of top of the line Kia auto parts including Kia oxygen sensor. For more information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is an ISO 9001-registered global marketing information services firm operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, training and customer satisfaction. The firm’s quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually.