I should also mention that the Rio's fuel economy figures have improved

The only thing wrong with the Rio, is that is might cause some buyers to question the necessity to step up to the Spectra. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

when compared to the exiting model, despite its increase in power. Expect to save about 20 percent in the 2006 car, with an estimated use of 7.4 L/100 km in the city and 6.2 on the highway when manually equipped.

The only thing wrong with the Rio, is that is might cause some buyers to question the necessity to step up to the Spectra, also an impressive car. Of course, this would only be a problem for Kia Canada and its dealers, not Joe and Jane public, who I believe will flock to those same dealerships in hoards and buy as many Rios as can be imported.

This last prognostication is not only claimed because the subcompact segment is growing at an alarming rate, partially spurred on by high fuel prices, but also because the cars that define this category are becoming

They're so good that potential buyers, will find the latest Kia Rios of the world more suitable to their tastes. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

as good as they are thrifty. In fact, they're so good that potential buyers, who would have previously passed subcompacts over for something a little larger and more substantial, will find the latest Kia Rios of the world more suitable to their tastes. I'm confident of that.

So what do all these improvements cost? As would be expected, the Rio's base price has increased, but only by $300 to $13,295 - the old one started at $12,995. Kia found that there weren't too many buyers opting for last year's bargain basement S model as it is, with most choosing the better equipped RS at $13,995, so the new ES that replaces it includes a fair bit more content in a much better car, giving buyers a $700 bonus from the onset. And then when comparing last year's top-line LS four-door with an automatic transmission, that drove the price up to $17,195, the new model doesn't get anywhere near that at $16,120. Kim admitted that last year's LS was "probably a bit overpriced compared to others in this class."