2009 Kia Rio5

• Overall
• Prices
• Performance
• Exterior
• Interior
• Safety
• Reliability
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Interior - What the Auto Press Says

Like the similar sedan, the Rio5's interior is a compromise. Although its five seats are comfortable, they're squeezed into tight quarters, and while features are scarce, those present are quality.

• "The interior is spare but not Spartan, with little grace notes such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel, alloy pedals and faux-aluminum surfacing on the dashboard." -- Los Angeles Times
• "Most cabin surfaces are hard plastic, and padded surfaces are pretty much out of the question. Overall, though, Rio equals some costlier cars for materials and assembly quality." -- Consumer Guide
• "The quality of materials is better than on some cars costing more. Plus there are a couple of features to play with, like fog lights." -- U.S. News

Front Seats

According to the majority, the Rio5's front row is both comfortable and bolstered enough to support most drivers and passengers.

• "Front occupants get ample space on sufficiently cushioned, adequately supportive seats." -- Kelley Blue Book
• "Headroom and legroom are good. The seats are firm and comfortable. Larger drivers may want wider cushions, and tall occupants will want more rearward seat travel.  ... Visibility is decent all around in both sedans and hatchbacks." -- Consumer Guide
• "Seat comfort is very good for most body types, though drivers north of 6 feet tall may get fidgety after more than an hour behind the wheel." -- Edmunds

Rear Seats

There isn't much room offered in the 2009 Kia Rio5's rear seats, but reviewers try to spin the available space in a positive light.

• "Rear passengers are afforded decent accommodations, though there are enough deficiencies to warrant feelings of jealousy pointed at front seat riders." -- Autobytel
• "Rear-seat legroom is better than the numbers suggest, because passengers can place their feet under the front seats thanks to the generous open space below them." -- New Car Test Drive
• "Space isn't too appealing. Legroom even in the outer positions is marginal if the front seat is moved appreciably rearward." -- Cars.com
• "Rear legroom is rather tight when seated behind a tall front passenger. Entry and exit are a strain when the front seats are set far back. Most adults will be fine for short trips only." -- Consumer Guide

Interior Features

Many report the 2009 Kia Rio5 offers the bare minimum, but it's displayed in a high-quality way. The Rio5's standard features include an AM/FM CD player with four speakers, a USB auxiliary input jack, air conditioning, and a tilt steering column. Drivers can splurge for Kia's Power Package, featuring power door locks and windows, as well as tweeter speakers for the stereo.

• "The gauges are clear, and the large, handy audio and climate controls are angled toward the driver." -- Consumer Guide
• "Sporty trim makes the SX models nicer and more appealing to driving enthusiasts. Metal pedals and a leather wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob add tactile as well as visual excitement ... Fabrics are good-looking, on the door panels as well as the seats." -- New Car Test Drive
• "Rio5 didn't have the so-called power package. Instead of power windows, it had the hand-crank style. Who knew they still made those?" -- USA Today
• "I had to reach across the cabin and move the little lever attached to it, which presents an amusing dilemma I hadn't thought about in years: You can't tell how to set the mirror when leaning into the next seat, totally out of position ... would I have to push this econobox up hills too?" -- U.S. News

Cargo

Reviewers find that the '09 Rio5 offers ample room with 15.8 cubic-feet of available cargo space with the seats up and 49.6 cubic-feet with its seats down.

• "Proving that small cars can be big on utility ... Kia Rio and Rio5 come with a variety of nooks and crannies, as well as a number of subtle features that are likely to make the ownership experience even more pleasant." -- Autobytel
• "When you flip down the rear seats the cargo hold expands to small-wagon proportions. You can even stuff a full-size mountain bike in the back." -- Los Angeles Times
• "Rio5 has more total volume, handy backrest releases, and a flip-forward seat bottom that lets seatbacks lie nearly flat. Interior storage includes five small bins, but there is only a small glovebox and no console cubby." -- Consumer Guide