Is the gas crisis making it Kia's time to shine?

I was looking over a list of the Top 10 most fuel efficient vehicles not long ago. And while I wasn't surprised that the top four were all hybrids-including the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid, I've got to admit that number 10 threw me for a little loop. The Kia Rio.

But it got me thinking: is the company that started out making steel tubing and bicycles in Korea a little over 60 years ago, about to become a major player with economy-minded Americans? Don't laugh. Kia could be in the driver's seat soon. Very soon.

With a fully-loaded Rio topping out at around $14,000, and getting a great 27 mpg city / 32 highway; we might just be see a lot of Rios and their other family members all over the highways, byways and driveways before too long.

It's a smooth-driving vehicle. And the Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT), that's devoid of shifting altogether, makes it that much smoother.

It doesn't seem that long ago when American automakers were scoffing at foreign automakers, figuring American's would always Buy American? But now some of the best made, economically sound and fuel-efficient vehicles in the world are built by companies like Kia.

Comments

[PeculiarPoPo]

Go Kia. I know I sure made fun of the little Korean boxes on wheels, but now, I'd consider buying one to save my wallet some heartache. Good warranty, fully loaded, and great fuel mileage make it pretty desireable. I just try to buy American to support my country, but I think reducing my dependence on FOREIGN OIL will make a bigger impact than buying one foreign car (that's probably built in the US anyways).

[ckroll98]

Foreign is the way to go. Most have better reliability and safety rating along with the better fuel economy. I'm seeing more and more Kias popping up in my neighborhood. With such a long commute to the city for most people in my town, it makes sense. I guess with demand for Kias and such rising, maybe they could do something about the looks to entice more buyers.

[Ginny]

I have seen more and more Kias on the road lately. I think it's due to gas prices as well as great advertising.

[Jonathan]

While I would still never purchase one, they look a lot better then they used to. I still couldn't take the humiliation however.

[LoveCars]

If I were in the market for one of these, I'd also take a look at the Hyundai Accent. The pricing and features are comparable with very similar ratings on performance, style, safety and reliability.

[Sue B.]

One thing that really bothers me is that they advertise the low price of the base model and it doesn't even include AC or a radio. If you want those features, and who wouldn't, then you're looking at around the same price as a base Honda Fit that does come with those options and plenty more. Why would anyone even consider it?

[fixit]

Kia is still Kia to me. They still have a lot of work to do to if they want to match up with the leaders in their class. Right now I'd consider a smaller, fuel-efficient car, but I'm not sure it would be a Kia.

[axel76]

I don't think Kia is a brilliant car maker. They just lucked out and happened to produce the kinds of cars people now want. They're well-positioned, but I'll be interested to see what they do with it in the future.