2020 Kia Rio

Thanks to strong offerings from Chevrolet, Nissan, Toyota and Kia, among others, the economy class no longer resides in the dumpster, and the Kia Rio 5-door is one of the shining examples of the segment’s new-found maturity. Both the sedan and hatchback variants were completely redesigned for 2018. The hatch is the more handsome of the two, and its presence punches above its size and price. Still, making a tiny sedan this attractive is difficult, and Kia crafted a silhouette with a presence. A standard 5.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display portrays a high-tech impression, and a less-is-more approach to the interior gives it a sophisticated vibe. In terms of interior space, the tradeoff between the two is minimal: Passenger volume measures 91 cubic feet for the hatch and 90 cubic feet for the sedan, while the hatch offers 17 cubic feet of cargo area while the sedan’s trunk can swallow 14 cubic feet. A new 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with an infinitely variable automatic transmission improves fuel efficiency to 33mpg in the city, 41mpg on the highway, and 36mpg combined. It is down on power, however, at 120 horsepower and 112 pound-feet of torque. Kia’s tuning of the Rio legitimizes the Rio’s value. It’s not quick or sporty, but its competence and solid demeanor impart a feeling of quality.