2009 Kia Rio 4-door RIO5 LX Hatchback

Kia continues to take small cars seriously. When the South Korean automaker launched a wagon companion to its subcompact Rio sedan for 2001, that hatchback was called the Rio Cinco ("five" in Spanish), to denote the number of doors. The Cinco name may be gone, but the five-door hatchback remains with a simpler name: The 2009 Kia Rio5. Sharing much of its design with the Rio Sedan, the Rio5 has a sportier demeanor about it, not to mention a more versatile cargo hold. And, despite the Rio5's "entry-level" pricing, Kia installs six standard airbags in every vehicle. Kia claims to be the most improved brand in terms of initial quality over the past five years. A half decade ago it had serious room for improvement, but now it is certainly in the mainstream of vehicle quality.

You'll Like This Car If...	You May Not Like This Car If...
Frugal-minded buyers should be impressed by the 2009 Kia Rio5, which yields a nice balance between fuel economy and performance. If you like a subcompact that's more fun to drive than some cars in its league, maneuvering with a smooth, certain spirit, the Rio5 is worth a closer look.	If you frequently carry passengers in the backseat, note that they might lack knee space unless the front seat is positioned well forward. The little 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine does emit considerable noise during harder acceleration.

The 2009 Kia Rio5 gains a new radio with an MP3 compatible CD player, USB port and a three-month free subscription to SIRIUS Satellite Radio.