Kia Models are a Great Option for Your New Car

Kia Motors is growing quickly in America. The Korean-based company has sold millions of cars and was named amongst the "Top 10 Best Car Brands for 2012" by Total Car Score. So, why are these cars so popular?

Fuel Efficiency

Kia cars are known for the fuel efficiency. Obviously, fuel efficiency is influenced by several different factors including your personal driving style, the terrain through which you're driving, the temperature of the outdoor air, the local weather you're driving through, the loads you're carrying or towing behind you in a trailer, the length of your trips, how long the engine is left running if you're sitting, and whether you have a manual or automatic transmission. Various tests are performed on each new car that's developed to determine its fuel efficiency, and the results are used to determine the car's overall performance.

Low Cost Quality Cars

Though in the past Kia models had a reputation as cheap but unreliable cars, the company has made strides in their manufacturing process. Many dealerships offer flexible payment plans, further underlining their affordability. Even those with bad credit may be able to purchase a car and utilize the payments to bring up their credit score.

One of the Most Popular Models: The 2012 Sorento

The Sorento has been listed as one of the most popular models this year. This crossover SUV has four different trim levels. The base version features a 6 speed manual transmission and seventeen inch wheels. You'll also find cruise control, air conditioning, a high-tech steering wheel, Bluetooth connectivity, a trip computer, and many amenities for the sound system.

If you upgrade this vehicle, you'll get an automatic transmission instead of a manual. The outside mirrors are colored to match the car's exterior. Additional features include turn signals feature LED lights and an armrest for passengers in the second row. Add-on options include fog lamps, roof rails, heated seats, a rearview camera, and rear parking sensors. You may also add a third seat to the back, which is functional for adults as well as children.

The EX model increases the value by adding eighteen inch wheels, dual climate control, keyless entry and ignition, and many other options included in only the most modern vehicles. Rear parking sensors come standard with this model, and it also features an Uvo electronic interface that is voice-activated. Potential buyers may also select outside mirrors that can fold automatically, leather seats, a navigation system, an luxurious sound systems.

Drivers could also choose to upgrade to an even higher model, which comes with more advanced performance options. If you love the sunshine, you can choose a panoramic sunroof.

Courtesy of American Chronicle

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2012 Kia Soul Ranked Highest in Initial Quality Study by J.D. Power and Associates

IRVINE, Calif., June 20, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- From breakthrough advertising to runaway sales success, the Kia Soul has made quite a splash since entering the marketplace in 2009, and today the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Initial Quality Study (IQS) ranked the popular urban passenger vehicle highest in initial quality in the compact multi-purpose vehicle segment. The study captures feedback from owners after 90 days of purchase in two distinct categories: quality of design and quality of production. Refreshed for the 2012 model year, the Kia Soul was fine-tuned with a significant number of technological, powertrain and style enhancements, and consumers have responded with sales up more than 22 percent through the first five months of the year.

"Kia Motors is dedicated to building world-class, high quality vehicles, and the Soul's recognition in the automotive industry's authoritative study on quality is the latest example of Kia's maturity and momentum in the U.S. market," said B.M. Ahn, group president and CEO, Kia Motors America (KMA) and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG). "The Soul signaled the beginning of Kia's design-led transformation when it launched in 2009, and it continues to be one of our most popular vehicles, attracting new consumers to the Kia brand with its eye-catching design and outstanding record of quality, dependability and reliability and playing a vital role in Kia becoming the fastest-growing automotive brand in the U.S."

In the study, the Kia Soul was honored as the highest-ranking model in the compact multi-purpose vehicle segment, while the Kia brand made significant advancements with gains that outpaced the industry average. The annual report includes 233 vehicle models and measures attributes across eight categories, including the driving experience, engine and transmission, and a broad range of quality problem symptoms reported by vehicle owners.

About the 2012 SoulRefreshed for the 2012 model year, the Kia Soul has been fine-tuned with a significant number of technological, powertrain and style enhancements. The 2012 Soul delivers class-leading horsepower[2] and significantly improved fuel efficiency of up to 35 miles per gallon (mpg)[3] on the highway. Kia Motors' hatchback remains a class-leading value[4] with the lowest starting price of its competitive set at $13,900 MSRP[5].

Kia's Unprecedented GrowthKia Motors is one of the world's fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America's full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality[6] and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking[7]. Kia's U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia - KMMG - is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds two of the company's best-selling vehicles in the U.S. - the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan*. Kia's value and technology-laden lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.

About Kia Motors AmericaKia Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 755 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA. In 2011, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and became one of the fastest growing car companies in the U.S. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new technologies.

*Courtesy of marketwatch.com

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2012 Kia Sportage named to AAA's Top Cars for Teens

In trials at the Colorado Off Road Extreme rally during the Third Annual RMDE last week, the Compact Utility Vehicle showed excellent stability and traction on a 2-mile offroad course across a convoluted section of terrain. The AAA rating is based on those same performance capabilities when recommend for teen drivers.

"We are honored that AAA, one of the most respected authorities on travel and transportation, is recognizing the Kia Sportage as a top car for teenage drivers," said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, Kia Motors America (KMA).

 

"Knowing that the Sportage, our longest-running nameplate, has been chosen not only for its attractive design that appeals to all ages, but more importantly, for its safety features, reliability and value, is evidence that consumers do not have to sacrifice curb appeal for dependability."

Indeed, in naming the Sportage to their Top Cars for Teens list, AAA states, “The list focuses on vehicles that appease both parents and teens by combining attractive looks and performance with reliability, safety and a budget-friendly price.”

AAA Auto Buying analysts test-drive and evaluate hundreds of vehicles each year in the process of compiling various reports and lists. The 2012 Sportage was also awarded an overall Five Star safety rating from the NHTSA.

In addition, during the NHTSA dynamic maneuvers to test vehicle resistance to untripped rollovers, the 2012 Kia Sportage was among the group of vehicles whose wheels did not tip up earning a coveted "no tip" designation.

Growing by leaps and bounds
Kia Motors has become one of the world's fastest growing automotive brands in the world. Since 2009, Kia has launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, earning a reputation as an industry styling leader under the oversight of chief design officer Peter Schreyer.

Kia Motors America's line of efficient, fun vehicles has raised the brand’s public image and dramatically increased consumer awareness. In 2011, the company marked its 17th consecutive year of market growth, thanks to a quantum leap in perceived quality, according to Experian, and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking from 2007 to 2012.

Kia's U.S. based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia (KMMG) provides more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs, building two of the company's top-selling vehicles in the U.S. – the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan in certain trim levels.

Kia's lineup also includes the Sportage, the popular hamster-hawked Soul, the surprising Optima Hybrid, the compact Forte sedan and hatchback, the sub-compact Rio and its 5-door version, plus the Sedona minivan.

Other vehicles picked by AAA for Top Cars for Teens included the VWGolf/Rabbit TDI, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Sonata and Ford Fusion. Notably the newer models of the Ford Focus and/or Fusion have the MyTouch system, which allows a parent or guardian to limit speed, radio volume and prevent safety systems from being turned off.

“Parents and teens seeing eye to eye on a vehicle can be tough,” said Don Nunnari, vice president of automotive services for AAA Arizona. “However, there are a variety of safe, reliable and stylish vehicles on the market that will fit into the budget, thereby satisfying parent needs and teen wants.”

Courtesy of torque.com

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2012 Kia Sorento: The value leader

The new Sorento doesn't stand out for any cutting-edge technology or unique features, unless you count the new direct-injection engine. Rather, it comes along with very usable cabin electronics at a reasonable price.

What most impressed me about it was the cohesive and attractive cabin tech interface, an area where other automakers struggle. The screens for controlling navigation, the stereo, and the phone feature a consistent look, and Kia obviously has a graphic designer or two on staff, not something all automakers can claim.

 

The navigation system shows traffic data on easy-to-read maps, the stereo includes all the latest audio sources, and the phone system lets you dial by name using voice command. Sure, it would be nice to have advanced features, such as app integration or Google search, built into the navigation system, but all the in-dash tech works well, doing its job without fuss.

The standard Sorento is only a five-seater, but one big option package, the same one that brings in navigation, also includes a third-row seat. The Sorento is not huge, so you will have to make a choice between two extra passengers or cargo, but maybe that is an excuse to make the in-laws take their own car.

Kia offers a 2-liter direct-injection engine as an option in this Sorento, which gives better fuel economy and more power than the base four-cylinder engine. It pulls the Sorento along quite handily, although the available V-6 would make more sense for towing boats or trailers.

Courtesy of CNET

Maintenance Tip: Reduced Visibility Conditions

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Tips For Driving Safely in Reduced Visibility Conditions Such as Twilight,Darkness,Rain,Snow,Fog,Smoke and Bright Sunshine.

Driving is always more difficult in reduced-visibility conditions.It’s hard to see your route clear.Reduced visibility conditions include twilight, darkness, rain, snow, fog, smoke, and bright sunshine.

• Use moderation in judging a safe speed. Drive slow enough to maintain a safe stopping distance.
• Don’t slow down so much that you become a risk to other drivers.
• Be aware that in reduced visibility conditions, drivers tend to follow the tail lights of vehicles in front of them.
• If you must pull off of the road, pull as far off of the road as possible, turn off your headlights, take your foot off of the brake pedal, and turn on your hazard lights.
• Make sure you have a pair of sunglasses in your vehicle in case of bright sunlight.

Courtesy of Car-Use.net

Maintenance Tip: Night Driving

The most dangerous time to drive on any roadway is between the hours of midnight and 6am, especially on the weekends. Luckily, there are some things you can do to improve your safety when driving at night.But by following a few basic guidelines, you can minimize your risk.

You must obey this rule for night driving: To See and Be Seen.

Keep your car in good condition

• Ensure all lights work. Lights on your car are the most vital night-driving tool.Without them, you will can’t see or not be seen by other drivers, it can cause accident easily.
• Clean and clear may increase your visibility, inside and out
  Windows, instrument panels, headlights, tail lights—all of these are components that increase visibility inside and outside your car. Consider regularly cleaning your dashboard and instrument panels, mirrors, windows, and windshields (inside and out) to gain greater visibility.
• Adjust your headlights for maximum effectiveness
  Check your headlights for proper alignment and ask your mechanic to adjust them properly. Adjusting your headlights may help you see more of the road while also protecting other drivers from wayward beams.

Keep your body in good condition

• Never drink and drive
  Not only does alcohol radically impair motor skills and driving ability, but even one social drink can trigger fatigue. This can lead to an exceptionally lethal combination.
• Avoid smoking when driving at night
  The carbon monoxide and nicotine in cigarettes has a measurable, physical effect on your eyes. These chemicals can actually make it difficult to see well and clearly, especially at night.
• Stay sharp
  Try chewing bubble gum to keep your mind humming. Also, drinking water and staying well hydrated may do wonders for mental alertness.
• Rest early, rest often
  If you’re planning a longer night-driving expedition, make sure you bank a couple nights’ worth of good sleep before hitting the road. Also, plan on making frequent stops to stretch, walk, or have a small snack or moderate meal.  Some experts recommend stopping every two hours for a body/mind break.

Other Tips for night driving

• Turn on your headlights in time.
  When it’s getting dark, turn on your lights in time to make sure that your car is seen by other drivers,even if you can see the road clear.

·         Don’t exceed your reach
When driving at night, remember that your sight—and safety—are only as good as the reach of your headlights. Don’t assume that the road is clear. What lies beyond the pavement you can see may be sudden and unexpected hazards you can’t see. Reduce your speed, increase your following distance, and expect the unexpected, especially on darker country roads.

·         Keep it dark inside the car
Turn off all interior lights. Any source of light inside the car will seem extremely bright and will make it more difficult to see.

·         Minimize glare
Look to the bottom right of the road to avoid approaching headlights. (Some headlights are blindingly bright.) Also use the night setting on your rearview mirror to deflect the glare from vehicles behind you. Older drivers find it more difficult to see at night because it takes longer for them to recover from glare.

·         Use high beam carefully
Be careful to lower the head light beam when necessary otherwise it might blind the oncoming driver. It is also necessary to switch on the headlights when you are uncertain of what you are seeing. And try not to overdrive your headlights which will make it impossible for you to stop inside the illuminated area.

Courtesy of Car-Use.net

The 2012 Kia Optima SX: 34mpg and pure turbocharged fun

There was a point in time where the suggestion of a great looking Korean sport sedan that had the brass to back up the title would have been little more than a joke but Kia is one of the American auto industry's most improved brands over the past few years - a fact clearly illustrated by the 2012 Kia Optima SX.

The 2012 Kia Optima SX is the top of the line offering for the model while the Optima itself currently serves as the company's premium vehicle. This sporty sedan sports the aggressive design that was introduced for the 2011 model year and while some might not care for the distinctive style - I love it. The previous generation of the Kia Optima was much like the rest of their lineup, with styling that allowed them to blend in with the Camrys and Accords of the world but with the introduction of the new Optima - Kia has a sport sedan that stands out against the competition.

The Exterior

The 2012 Kia Optima SX has a long form for a midsized sedan with high fender lines and a low roofline that creates a sleek, slippery form. Up front, the Optima wears a familiar "grin" with the headlights pouring down into the grille while the lower fascia area gives the car a menacing smile. With the large projection headlight units and the large foglights mounted towards the outer edge of front fascia - the Optima provides gobs of light at night while also presenting a very distinct look that we see across the majority of the current Kia lineup. This is one area where some critics of the car might raise an eyebrow but it took balls for Kia to go so aggressive with their exterior design and in my opinion, it paid off 100%.

The long hood and windshield flow seamlessly through the shortish roof and into the fastback style rear glass and trunklid. Along the sides, the Optima has a very high body line that runs from the headlights to the taillights with black b-pillars adding to that "big coupe" feel. The greenhouse has thin pillars in the front and side while the larger, sweeping rear pillar that rolls smoothly into the short trunklid that is punctuated by the subtle rear spoiler. The design of the rear end isn't as radical as the front end but with large LED taillights that wrap around into the side of the vehicle and the flat black lower fascia with integrated dual exhaust; this rear end has a great sporty feel. The accentuated wheel openings are filled out nicely by the 18" alloy wheels and these help give the Optima a wide, low stance.

Love it or hate it, there is no denying that the 2012 Kia Optima SX has a sleek, sporty design that stands out in the uber crowded midsized sedan segment. There is just enough chrome to add a little "bling" while the black trim on the grille, along the side and across the bottom end emphasize the sporty attitude of the Optima sedan.

The Interior
The 2012 Kia Optima SX is a midsized sedan but when seated inside, it feels much larger than the class designation would leave you to believe. My Optima test car was fitted with both the Technology Package (adding a high end navigation/touch screen setup) and the SX Premium Touring Package (adding things like heated/cooled seats, a rear camera display, power mirrors, an Infinity Audio system with HD radio, the gorgeous panoramic sunroof that stretches over the front and rear passengers and much more. In short, this car was as loaded as a Kia sedan can get and it shows. The two tone leather seats and comfortable and look great while the heating and cooling features add comfort in all sorts of climates. Even with the driver's seat adjusted for a 6 foot tall driver and a 6 foot tall passenger, there is enough room for the average adult to sit comfortably in the back seat, while offering lots of room for kids. There is a pull-down armrest in the back seat with cup holders when there are only two riders in the back with leather everywhere - from the door panels to the dash to all seating areas.

The leather trimmed dash of the 2012 Kia Optima SX has a cockpit design that is centered around the driver with a large touch screen mounted high on the dash offering stereo and navigation control while, with the push of a button, you can control the climate controls. More importantly, if touch screen controls aren't your thing, the Optima SX has more traditional knobs and buttons below the touch screen. The Optima SX also offered steering wheel mounted controls for the stereo, the cruise control, the Bluetooth phone system and the in-dash trip information. This central screen in the dash is flanked by two large easy to read gauges displaying the speed and engine RPM. Best of all, the Optima has a paddle shift system that lets the driver select gears with the push of a button - with a great, sporting design.

The 2012 Kia Optima SX interior offers comfort and technology that you find in far more expensive models - leaving you asking for very little in terms of amenities.

The Drive
The 2012 Kia Optima SX is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that packs 274 horsepower and 269lb-ft of torque that is funneled to the front tires via an electronic 6-speed automatic transmission. This drivetrain offers 22mpg around town, 34mpg on the highway and a combined figure of 26mpg overall - and in my time spent behind the wheel I found these numbers to be completely reasonable and you don't have to drive like a little old lady to hit those figures. I am far from a lightfoot and I frequently used all 274 horsepower and I still averaged right around 26mpg - some tanks slightly higher and some tanks slightly lower depending on how much traffic I was forced to fight. More importantly, this drivetrain makes the Optima SX lots of fun to drive and honestly, the car feels as strong as some competition that offers more power.

Acceleration of the 2012 Kia Optima SX is very impressive when launching hard, with the 6-speed transmission popping quickly through the gears with a nice, strong shift. However, when driving under "gentle" conditions as in typical Friday night traffic, the transmission shifts are smooth and easy not to notice. When you shift into manual shift mode, you can use the paddles to upshift and downshift but unlike some systems, the Kia manual shift system is quick to override the driver when trying to "stretch" a gear. This is one feature that I did not like but this self-shifting preference is popular on many cars with a manual shift mode for an automatic transmission. However, once you get the hang of when you can shift, the automatic transmission adds some fun to drive factor. The Optima SX packs more than enough power to allow you to rip out into faster moving traffic and while you might not be knocking off any muscle cars - the Optima provides plenty of fun to drive factor.

The ride quality of the 2012 Kia Optima SX is very impressive with very little of the road roughness transferred through the chassis or steering but at the same time - you don't lose a feel for the road. Some vehicles mute the feel of the road so much that it becomes too synthetic feeling but the Optima SX preserves the feel of the road through the steering wheel for the driver. On the open road, there is no noticeable body roll even on longer banks at higher speeds which translates nicely into sharp handling in tighter areas. When cutting along winding back roads, the Optima sticks to the road very nicely and the four wheel disc braking system allows you to bring the roomy Kia sedan to a stop in a hurry.

The Final Word

The 2012 Kia Optima SX is aggressive and distinct in its exterior design with a loaded up interior and a drive train that caters to those who want some driving excitement. When driving conservatively, the Optima will surely exceed the 34 mile per gallon highway expectations but the car is enough fun to drive that I had a hard time not enjoying the spool of the turbocharger and all 274 horsepower. With a great amount of seating for two adults and two children, a high tech sound system and a gorgeous panoramic sunroof - the interior is inviting for everyone who enters and while it is clearly a sport-minded interior - it is not without some luxury feel.

I am a sports car guy but I enjoyed my time spent driving the 2012 Kia Optima SX. The turbocharged drivetrain offers great fuel economy and plenty of power so for someone in the market for a new midsized (yet especially roomy) sedan - the Optima is one that deserves the title of a "sport sedan" - with a price of $31,745 in fully loaded form. The Optima isn't just another bland entry in the midsized sedan segment and it deserves a good look before making your next new car purchase.

Courtesy of Torque News

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Kia Raises A Guinness For Optima Hybrid

Kia has launched a campaign for its Optima Hybrid car that spotlights the vehicle’s achievement of winning a Guinness World Record. The car got Guinness props last year for having achieved the lowest fuel consumption in a hybrid when a couple of pro drivers toured the 48 contiguous United States on 5½ tanks of gas. They went 7,899 miles at 64.55 miles per gallon by driving at optimal speeds and under optimal conditions.

The new campaign, targeted to Gen Xers and younger Baby Boomers, re-tells that story with two professional drivers randomly pulling over in the middle of a desert highway to chat with a man going cross-country on a pogo stick, who is also attempting to set a Guinness record. In the end, the drivers tell the pogo guy that they, too are in the process of setting a World Record and then take off into the sunset. Tag: "Not your average hybrid."

The campaign, via David&Goliath, Kia's long-time U.S. agency, also has print, direct-mail, collateral, and promotional elements. The digital component of the campaign, at Kia.com/Hybrid, allows consumers to delve into the Guinness World Record road trip and get info on how to optimize -- so to speak - their own hybrid driving. 

The TV ad began airing on June 5 on network with cable, syndication on schedule. The spot will run on all the networks, plus around 30 cable channels, including Adult Swim, BET, Discovery, Comedy Central, Travel, E!, Oxygen, and Spike.

"When we first started launching about a year ago we did a very product-focused campaign,” says Michael Sprague, Kia Motor America VP marketing. “This lets us tell more of a story." He tells Marketing Daily that the company and its agency dreamed up the Guinness attempt as a way to talk about the car beyond merely advertising it. "We were trying to think of creative ways of telling consumers about our new hybrid and after lots of research we found there was opportunity to set that Guinness record. We looked at it and figured out that yeah, we could do that. We worked with the Guinness organization to make sure it could be validated by them and then set off to do it." 

Sprague says the issue for the Optima Hybrid is actually not demand so much as capacity. "We are just finishing rolling it out across the country. We started on the West Coast, then the East Coast, followed by the southern markets in the spring and now the Midwest, and what we've learned is that availability -- the right color, or options -- is the reason people don't buy they vehicle. They want a certain package, but due to constraints, can't get it." 

While no advertising might be the best advertising when supply is tight, Sprague argues that the Optima Hybrid campaign serves a broader purpose. "It promotes the product but also builds familiarity and awareness of us as a brand. Someone might not want to buy a hybrid, but they want to be associated with a brand that sells one, and is environmentally conscious." There’s something to that: Toyota's Prius has probably done more for Toyota branding equity than it has for Toyota sales volume. 

Courtesy  of MarketingDaily

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Long-term 2012 Kia Rio SX 5-door is well equipped

The Koreans are on a roll. No longer should it surprise us when we find one of their vehicles impressive. It's the norm anymore, regardless of the metric, from performance to quality to value.

That is, we shouldn't be surprised, and yet we're still occasionally amazed by the level of sophistication these cars can deliver for the money, especially at the low end. So we sprang for a long-term test of the recently launched Kia Rio to see exactly how well one of our favorite new Korean cars would fare over the long haul.

For starters, the Rio is available in two body styles, as a sedan or a five-door hatchback, and seeing as we tend toward the hauling-more-is-always-better end of things around here, we opted for the latter and its 15.0 cubic feet of cargo space. (Folding the rear seats opens that up to a whopping 47.1 cubic feet.) Besides, the price differential between the two is negligible, at just $200. But with the hatch you get oh, so much more capability, which-given all of the softball games and camping trips and Costco runs that fill our weekends-we exploit at every opportunity.

Every Rio model draws power from the same all-aluminum 1.6-liter direct-injection four-cylinder gasoline engine with continuously variable valve timing, turning out 138 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque. It's a high-tech piece designed as much for fuel efficiency as power, returning an EPA-estimated 30 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway (33 mpg combined). Given our lead feet and penchant for bombing around town at nine-tenths, we're keen to find out exactly how well the Rio performs at the pump over the course of the year.

We then climbed the trim-level ladder all the way to the top, choosing the chockablock SX model on which to build our car. The SX trim gets a standard tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, 17-inch wheels and tires, a sport-tuned suspension, fog lamps, LED taillights, dual exhaust tips, Bluetooth connectivity and steering-wheel audio controls. It also boasts features that we welcome but that seem almost out of place on such a small car, including power-folding outside mirrors and a rearview camera.

To that healthy list of standard content we checked just about every options box possible, adding a power sunroof, navigation, push-button keyless ignition and heated and leather-trimmed seats. The grand total for our loaded Rio comes to almost $21,000.

That sum doesn't exactly get you a race car, but the 1.6-liter does a decent job of propelling the Rio to 60 mph from a standstill in 9.3 seconds. Stopping from that speed eats up 132.1 feet. Perhaps more enjoyable is the car's midrange power; it takes only 3.6 seconds to accelerate from 30 mph to 50 mph. And while it's not the nimblest of cars, it does manage a respectable 42.1 mph through our tight little slalom course and can hold 0.79 g around our 200-foot skidpad. That should make for some moderate around-town fun.

Unfortunately, because only base LX models get the six-speed manual standard -- and our gluttony for features and options pushed us to the top-line SX -- we will have to make do with the six-speed automatic transmission. We'll see how much of that 138 hp is left after making its way through the torque converter. Hopefully we'll still be able to enjoy the actual act of driving while saddled with the slushbox.

Here's to a surprisingly good year with our newest long-termer.

Courtesy of  AutoWeek

Don't miss the latest offer on the 2012 Kia Optima!

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2012 Kia Optima - $189 a Month / 36 Month Lease

$189 a Month / 36 Month Lease $2,499 Due at Lease Signing. See Dealer for details