DriveTech

KIA is the little or big brother of Hyundai depending on how you rate them but not much has been said about them so I decided to take a ride up to North County KIA and see Barry Lehmer, General Manager and see if he would let me take a few out for a test drive. The first car I picked was the Rio base model, now when you say base model to a KIA dealer you get a base model but only in the comfort department. This car had no A/C and no radio but it did have six, count them six standard air bags, front side and curtain but no radio or A/C, you get a gas door release and a trunk release but no A/C or radio. You also get power, 110 horsepowered four cylinder that will get you 32 miles per gallon in the city and 35 miles per gallon on the open road with the five-speed manual but if you opt for the automatic four speed with overdrive you may get 29 city and 38 on the freeway. Other than no A/C or radio this little five speed manual trasmissioned car was perfect if you're looking for a point A to Point B type of car for a base price of $10,700. Yes you can add A/C and a radio.
The next car I choose was the Rio5 and five door hatchback that was larger than the base Rio and it had A/C and a good sound system plus a little more styling you will pay about $3,000 more for the Rio5 and get the same engine and transmission or like the base Rio you can pick a four speed with overdrive automatic transmission. The Rio5 road a little better and I like a hatchback versus a trunk, easier to load and unload but you do lose a little privacy. But again this was a fun little car to drive and the mileage was great, just like the base Rio. Last but not least I though I would go up the ladder and spoil myself and picked out the new body style Optima.
The Kia Optima did a body switch in mid 2006 and for the better I might add. Here is a car that bases out at $16,355 but with a quick look it resembles a Lexus GS300, you get your choice of a base four cylinder that pumps out 161 horsepower or a V6 that will give you 185 horsepower and with the four cylinder and the automatic or manual five speed you will get 24 city and 34 freeway and on the V6 I only have one set of numbers, the automatic will get you 22 in the city and 34 on the freeway no data on the five speed but I'm sure its close. You get 17-inch tire and wheel package and you can option it up to $20,400 and be in hog heaven and the best thing about KIA is there warranty, 10 year 100,000 mile powertrain warranty and 5 Year 60,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. So if you like counting your pennies and getting your monies worth you need to road test a new KIA and be sure to stop by North County KIA in the Escondido Auto Park. Last I heard Lehmer was putting some heavy discounts on the KIA's, check him out.

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