Kia announced pricing today for its redesigned 2012 Rio hatchback, which will start at $13,600, excluding $750 for destination.
That starting price undercuts other subcompact four-door hatchbacks such as the 2012 Toyota Yaris ($15,140), 2012 Ford Fiesta ($15,500), 2012 Chevy Sonic ($14,635) and 2011 Honda Fit ($15,100). The model is also $1,495 more affordable than the outgoing 2011 Rio5, which starts at $15,095. The 2012 Hyundai Accent hatchback, a kissing-cousin to the Rio, starts at $14,595.
The 2012 Rio5 will be available in LX, EX and SX trims. The starting $13,600 price gets you a 138-horsepower four-cylinder engine, six-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, rear wiper and washer, 15-inch steel wheels, rear spoiler, stereo with USB port and satellite radio. The LX with a six-speed automatic transmission starts at $14,700.
The EX model, which doesn’t have pricing info, gets power windows and locks and keyless entry. The top-of-the-line SX trim comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps, LED-accented headlamps, LED taillamps, dual chrome exhaust tips and power-folding heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals. The SX also gets larger brakes, a sport-tuned suspension and 4.3-inch display with backup camera. Kia says the SX will start under $18,000.
The Rio will be one of the first non-hybrid models to feature start/stop technology. When equipped (as an available option), select trims will be able to achieve 31/40 mpg city/highway. Standard Rios will be rated at 30/40 mpg, up from 29/39 mpg that was previously stated for the hatchback.
Pricing for the Rio sedan, which has traditionally been priced below the hatchback, hasn’t been announced yet. A launch date for both new Rio models hasn’t been announced, but the hatchback is expected to be on sale by the end of the year. We'll have full pricing and more info in the next few weeks.
