Kia Rio 
As Kia pushes full steam ahead in all markets, the South Korean manufacturer has just updated its Rio sub-compact sedan and hatchback (aka the Rio5). Both versions are very attractive, having been designed by Peter Schreyer. Under the hood is a new 1.6L 4-cylinder GDI with direct injection that produces 138 horsepower. Six-speed manual and automatic gearboxes round out the offer.
Pros
- Impressive list of factory-standard equipment
- Nearly sporty handling
- Modern mechanics
- Generous interior space
Cons
- 138 lazy horses
- Active Eco mode is very active!
- Noisy accelerations
- Steering lacks sensitivity
- Seats a bit hard
