Also a boon to Kia, the Rio's clutch pedal is nicely weighted, while its five-speed manual gearbox slots into each cog with a precise feel thanks to a multi-cone synchronizer. It also suffers from less transmission noise,

Its five-speed manual gearbox slots into each cog with a precise feel thanks to a multi-cone synchronizer. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

as does the four-speed automatic which also runs through the gears well. This one is much smoother than the previous autobox, due to adaptive shift point control, delivering shifts that could almost be called refined - a word I normally leave to describe premium vehicles, not subcompacts.

But the Rio isn't just any subcompact, evidenced by its long list of standard and optional features. Starting with the former, the base model four-door, dubbed EX, gets body-coloured mirrors and door handles, tilt steering, that is also powered, a tachometer, height adjustable front seatbelts, a driver's seat height adjuster, 60/40 split rear seatbacks, tinted glass, variable intermittent wipers, front seatbelt pretensioners, an anti-theft engine immobilizer, and a four-speaker audio system with a AM/FM/CD/MP3 compatible head unit (but no iPod plug in), that incidentally sounds pretty good. It also gets 14-inch steel wheels and

A four-speaker audio system with a AM/FM/CD/MP3 compatible head unit (but no iPod plug in), that incidentally sounds pretty good. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

full covers, by the way, up from the 13-inch base wheel and tire package offered in the previous Rio sedan.

Step up to the EX Convenience package and you'll add air conditioning, remote keyless entry with a panic alarm, power heated mirrors, power windows and locks, plus those front seat warmers I spoke lovingly of earlier - and incidentally 70 percent of the Rios coming to Canada will be shipped with front seat warmers.

Next on the upwardly mobile list is the Rio5, a hatchback cum wagon version of Kia's entry-level car that replaces the outgoing, and somewhat ungainly RX-V. It comes with the same list of base and Convenience package features, plus offers the ability to move the car up a notch or two into a more upscale environment, via the Sport package.