I've invented this new category just for the Rio, because I am so supremely impressed by what Kia has done with it. The old Rio was the atypical cheap car, with its chintzy plastic interior, third-world styling, and an all around cheap-n-cheesy feel. The new 2012 Rio is the exact opposite. Outside, it's drop dead gorgeous; inside, it feels sophisticated and substantial. Power comes from a direct-injected 1.6 liter engine that meets the magic EPA figures of 30 MPG city and 40 MPG highway with both manual and automatic transmissions. One thing hasn't changed: At $14,150, the base-model Rio is one of the least expensive cars you can buy, and with air conditioning and an iPod-compatible stereo as standard equipment, it's brimming with value.The Rio isn't the roomiest car in this class, nor is it the most exciting to drive. But it's a monumental improvement over the old Rio, and yet another sign that Kia is the automaker to watch.
Back to the beginning: Audi A6
