MPG-o-Matic 2012 Kia Rio Five Door Review Summary:If there’s one word to describe the 2012 Kia Rio 5-door, it’s “value.” In the old days, folks referred to inexpensive fuel-efficient hatchbacks as “economy cars,” and they were spartan and rarely attractive affairs. The Rio turns that notion on its head with an abundance of style and features at a base price starting under $14,000.
The Rio is equipped with a direct-injected DOHC CVVT 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 138 horsepower (HP) and 123 foot pounds of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is only available in the base LX model. A six-speed automatic with overdrive is optional in the LX and standard in both the EX and SX. The automatic transmission features a manual shift mode.
MPG-o-Matic 2011 Kia Sorento SX Review Summary:
The top-of-the-line 2011 Kia Sorento SX delivers a remarkable amount of bang for the buck. Competitors in the three-row crossover segment may have a tough time matching the Sportage SX feature-for-feature, without enduring the sticker bloat of option packages.
MPG-o-Matic 2011 Kia Sportage EX AWD Review Summary: The aggressively-styled 2011 Kia Sportage stakes out a bold space in the highly competitive five-seat crossover market. Sharing its platform with the Hyundai Tuscon, the Sportage plays the design card, and trumps the competition with features for the dollar. This one is stuffed with all the goodies, in a quest to one-up the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.
Both the four-door Kia Spectra and five-door Spectra5 hatchback deliver solid gas mileage figures, with highway ratings cracking the magic 30 mile per gallon (MPG) highway mark. Kia’s known to offer a high value for the dollar ratio, and the compact Spectra series is no exception. A five-star crash rating from the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Kia’s 10 year/100,000 warranty seal the deal.
The Kia Optima delivers solid gas mileage ratings for a mid-size sedan. A five-star safety rating, roomy interior, an affordable price, and highway estimates of 31 miles per gallon (MPG) for the four-cylinder version make the Optima an attractive choice for the value-conscious.
The Optima was introduced to America in the 2002 model year and was redesigned for 2006. The 2008 Optima is based on the Hyundai Elantra platform.
The 2008 Kia Optima can be fitted with one of two engines:
2.4 liter DOHC four cylinder engine, producing 162 horsepower (HP) and 164 foot pounds of torque, mated to a five-speed manual or five-speed electronically controlled Sportmatic transmission. Gas mileage ratings: 21 city / 31 highway MPG.
2.7 liter V6 engine, producing 185 HP and 182 foot pounds of torque, mated to a five-speed electronically controlled Sportmatic transmission. Gas mileage ratings: 20 city / 28 highway MPG.
MPG-o-Matic 2012 Kia Rio Five Door Review Summary: If there’s one word to describe the 2012 Kia Rio 5-door, it’s “value.” In the old days, folks referred to inexpensive fuel-efficient hatchbacks as “economy cars,” and they were spartan and rarely attractive affairs. The Rio turns that notion on its head with an abundance of style and features at a base price starting under $14,000.