If buying a Rio today, this is exactly how I would want it!
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG - Sept. 10, 2012
2013 Kia Rio SX “Special Edition” - $17,900 to start including Navigation and a rear view backup camera along with a segment leading 30/40 mpgUS city/highway rating! Only a limited release will be available however
The most intriguing point about the news is not just the fact that Kia is finally offering the Rio SX (their top of the line trim) with the 6-speed stick but also that they are offering Navigation, Backup camera and Push button start without having to purchase the somewhat expensive and optional Premium package. The Premium Package currently is a $2,350 addition and along with NAVI, the backup camera and push button start, includes leather seat trim, sunroof and heated front seats.
The 2013 Rio 5-door SX is now offered with a 6-speed manual transmission (MT) and provides those of us that want the higher end amenities without sacrificing the driving experience and fuel economy capability of a manual transmission equipped automobile.
Unfortunately there are only going to be 500 2013 Rio SX M/Ts made available so sticker is all but guaranteed and if it is not offered in your market, you are going to have to travel some distance to get one.
As our preview revealed (
CleanMPG Previews the 2012 Kia Rio 5-Door Hatch - A heck of a car for a heck of a bargain), the Rio 5-door SX comes standard with an advanced direct injected 138 HP I4.
Given its purpose as a B-Spec racer facsimile, it will be available in two of its hottest colors, Signal Red and Electronic Blue.
In addition, the SX trim Rio arrives with LED taillights, class-exclusive front LED accent DRLs, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, the Rio SX M/T adds a seven-inch navigation touch screen with a SiriusXM Traffic system and push-button start with proximity Smart Key. Remember our drives of the Optima Hybrid? Kia's proximity key is one of the best in the business.
Nice looking on the inside as well.
Other standard SX features include sport-tuned suspension, rear camera display, steering-wheel mounted audio controls, Bluetooth wireless technology, and an AM/FM/CD/MP3 SiriusXM Satellite audio system.
Early Conclusions
All told, $17,900 for a loaded Rio SX with a stick and NAVI is a pretty damn good deal for a B-segment leading interior/exterior design and fuel economy that makes the rest wish they could match
Other than of course its sibling, the Hyundai Accent SE with a stick, as it uses the exact same drivetrain but cannot be equipped with NAVI, backup camera, Pushbutton start or a Proximity key let alone the 17” alloys.
2013 Rio SX with the 6-speed MT
Bad @$$ does not even begin to describe it
Easily a fuel economy world record setting car and I cannot believe it is being offered with all of the above at this price.
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