2008 Kia Rio5

The Rio5 is a small five-door hatchback that makes the most of its small footprint. Introduced for the 2006 model year, there aren't any significant changes to tell you about for 2008. It shares its chassis and mechanicals with the Hyundai Accent.

That means you get the iron block / aluminum head 1.6 liter inline-four, which produces 110 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 107 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm thanks to Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and a 10.0:1 compression ratio. More importantly, however, it returns impressive numbers at the pump, at 27 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway when hitched to the standard five-speed manual transmission. Those numbers change to 25 / 35, respectively, with the optional four-speed automatic. The good fuel economy is no doubt helped by the Rio's flyweight 2,438 lb mass, which is even lower than that of its sedan counterpart.

Despite its diminutive size, the Rio5 and its near twin, the Rio sedan, were JD Power and Associates' highest ranked sub-compact cars in initial quality for two years in a row.

Just two trims exist: LX and SX. The LX rolls on 14 inch steel wheels with full-face plastic covers, and comes with air conditioning, an AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers and an auxiliary input jack, as well as air-conditioning, tilting steering column, adjustable headrests atop 60/40 split-folding rear seats. The SX throws in 15-inch alloy wheels, metal-finish trim and pedals, front fog lights, a body-color rear spoiler, sport cloth door and seat trim and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with gear shift knob. The electronically-controlled automatic is a stand-alone option either trim. Other options include tweeters, heated mirrors, power windows, power door locks with remote, and four-wheel ABS with rear discs in place of the standard-issue drums (though they require the $600 Power Package: electrically-operated locks and windows, heated mirrors and tweeters). Carpeted floor mats, a plastic trunk / cargo tray, body kit accents and a front mask are also optional on their own. On the SX only, buyers have the option to upgrade the wheels to 16 inch alloys for $200.

All of Kia's offerings include a 10-year / 100,000 mile limited powertrain warranty, a 5-year / 60,000 mile limited basic warranty, 5-year / 100,000 mile limited anti-perforation warranty and a 5-year / 60,000 mile 24-hour roadside assistance.