Gone are the steel wheels, replaced by 14-inch alloy rims, while a rooftop spoiler gets attached to the rear and fog lamps to the lower front fascia

The Rio is attractive to say the least, and feels much more expensive than its fully loaded price lets on. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

for a racy touch. Two additional speakers are added to the upgraded audio system, now sounding extremely good, while an enhanced interior boasts "sport" cloth seats, a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, metal and rubber foot pedals, and finishing off the look, metal accents throughout the cabin. It's attractive to say the least, and feels much more expensive than its fully loaded price lets on.

What's also impressive is just how large it feels inside. Given that this Rio falls into the subcompact class, and therefore shouldn't deliver the roominess associated with a compact car, like the Spectra, I was dumbfounded with the hip and shoulder space it offered,

The back, made to feel comfortable for many reasons, plus an abundance of legroom. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

more than satisfied with its headroom, and when in back, made to feel comfortable for all the same reasons, plus an abundance of legroom.

This roominess is the direct result of car that sees its width increase by 15 mm (0.6 inches) to 1,695 mm (66.7 inches), height grow by a substantial 30 mm (1.2 inches) to 1,470 mm (57.9 inches), and wheelbase extend some 90 mm (3.5 inches) to 2,500 mm (98.4 inches), while the length, of the Rio5 at least, shrinks by 250 mm (9.8 inches) when put beside the outgoing RX-V (Cinco in the U.S.), to just under four metres at 3,990 mm (158.1 inches), reducing front and rear overhangs in the process and therefore gaining styling points - the new sedan, incidentally, sits at 4,240 mm (166.9 inches) in overall length.