2010 New York: Kia keeps the new products coming

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW YORK – Hey, another month, another bunch of new Kias. Here in NYC, on an admittedly quiet second of two media days, the Korean automaker debuted a relativley expansive mid-cycle refresh of its subcompact 2012 Kia Soul wagon (new engines, six-speed transmissions, and exterior and interior styling) and an all-new subcompact 2012 Kia Rio four-door sedan.

Both the new Soul and Rio receive a new direct-injected 1.6-litre four-cylinder. The longer, wider and lower Rio introduces a new segment exclusive stop/start technology that turns the engine off when the vehicle is at a stop light or stopped in traffic.

I don’t know about you, but to my eyes, the new Rio sedan—which joins the Rio5 four-door hatchback that we first saw at this year’s Geneva show when both go on sale in Canada later this year—is arguably the best looking of the new subcompact four-doors that showed up here in New York. Another winner from Kia head pen Peter Schreyer.