I have an SX but without the premium package and I got it for $17450. Not sure if things are just more expensive in Canada but $19k seems pretty steep for a EX. Also, I did have a deal worked up for an SX WITH premium for $18995 but issues with my trade in prevented that from going through. With that being said, in my opinion, it is well worth the upgrade to the SX. For me, I was going to buy new wheels if I got the EX anyways so it made sense to pay only slightly more to get nice rims. Although you may not care about that considering the climate you live in. But it also has the LED tail lights, projector headlights and LED accents on the headlights which really do look awesome. Also, the SX has paddle shifters in automatic if that matters to you. A little stiffer suspension for cornering and such is also only on the SX. I didnt really mind not getting the premium package because the only thing I liked with that was the sunroof. Push button start is cool but its not that hard to put a key in and turn. I never really like built in NAV. And leather wasn't a big priority although you may like it for its heated seats.

 

Allo, I'm in Montréal. I can answer to all of your questions and hesitations since I had the same one year ago (on April 19). And I too hesitated between the same cars (minus Dart and Focus that I hated). So here's the plain truth. Better mileage (1-3 more L/100km) go for the Fiesta but boring boring. Bigger with about same FE: Elantra. But you'll own everybody else car nowadays plus it aint so fun to drive. A little upscale finition: Accent but boring boring boring and more uncle's car. So I went for the EX Rio cause I do almost the same: visiting friends, shopping, a trip to the country once in a while. Since I live in the suburbs, I don't do that much city. My EX fulfills all my needs. From exterior, you can see a difference between LX and EX, but not so easy to do se between EX and SX. Have to concentrate on the rims. Handling is superb and the ride smooth but road and tire noises are definitely there. You get used to it. Dealer told me the ride in SX would be a little hasher and the breaking a little shorter. Depends on your driving habits. What I actually miss: heating steering and SX exclusive cluster which is beautiful. What I don't miss: leather seats, metal pedals, push button start, auto climate and Nav. Who needs Nav to go to the next Wal-Mart if it's what you primary do? As for 17 inch tires and spectaculars rims, I for one find the ones on EX totally satisfying and I also find them attractive. Horror stories? Don't have any. Some disappointment in the FE department and some little winter squeaks but nothing to be alarmed. I've had the car for nearly one year and no major issues until now. Heating is powerful and fast, AC could be a little colder though, UVO sound is not terrible also but phones pair in a flash. In a nutshell: if it were not for the deceptive FE, it would be a Wonder car.

 

RedKia13: Canada is a little more expensive, but come with a heck of a lot of the US optional kit as standard. For example, heated seats and sideview mirrors are Standard in our LX+ and higher models.

Look up the models here: New Cars, SUVs, Sedans, Hybrid Cars | Kia Canada <-- to see what the standard equipment is

Racineur: Merci pour votre commentaire. L'hivers Montréalais sont condamnés à froid Bon à savoir que la voiture peut traiter Montréal :lol:

(My French is very rusty, hopefully that made grammatical sense )

 

its your money only you can decide what version. Same thing when I bought my Soul (a 2u vs 4u), I decided what features I wanted and purchased accordingly. If your split between two models then check both out at the dealer for features and then drive both to see if can justify the extra cost for your specific use.

I also take photos of each model and then can compare them at home with side by side shots, sometimes you notice things that you don't always spot in person.

 

I would have to agree with the above posts, the decision is really a personal one. It depends on what features you want. I personally chose the SX w/UVO, no Nav. I knew my primary use was commuting to and from work, stuck in traffic. I wanted a lot of luxury/comfort for the interior since that is where I would spend most of the time. The leather is nice, easy to maintain and clean. The heated wheel and seats are wonderful this time of year. I don't miss having to wear gloves to drive in the winter.

I noticed you are comparing a range of cars, compacts and sub-compacts. Was the initial list based on price point? When I did an initial comparison it was with direct competitors in the same class, Fiesta, Fit, and so on. The Dart wasn’t available at the time I purchased mine, though I would have seriously considered it at the time. Why did you not choose the Dart?

I have owned my 2013 Rio 5 SX w/UVO for nearly 7 months. I really enjoy it a lot. It has great HP for the class and with the 6 speed auto, it is fairly responsive. I do enjoy the shiftronic sport mode. The UVO unit is really great and functional. I chose not to go with a Nav unit as I use my Android phone for navigation. This works well because I primarily use my phone for music too. So it will mute the music for direction cues. Otherwise I couldn’t listen to Google Nav over the car stereo and listen to the radio or Sirius for example. The car has proven itself for hauling Ikea furniture. I do appreciate the raised trunk floor with cargo tray as it allows you to slide long items straight in. I believe the EX has this as well.

I am in love with the auto features such as the heated seats and head lights. The car will go from day time running lights (LEDs) to headlights and off without me ever having to do anything. The pseudo 3d effect on the supervision cluster is something everyone comments on. Had the revised Rio (2012/2013) been out a year early, my fiancée would have purchased one over her Fiesta SES. It really is a great car and with the features a great value.

 

I wanted the SX because of the premium package & I needed an auto trans. In my area an SX in auto & premium packe are far & few between but I found 1 @ anothe dealer & had it shipped up. I really like my Rio5. I was looking @ the same car options as vagabond was but the Rio5 beat them all for the options & warranty.

Rick

 

Willywidget: You live in the same city as I do

The IKEA mention is important, as I live a 10 minute drive from IKEA and pretty much ALL my furniture comes from there (what? I like Scandinavian design! (and the fact you can have breakfast in the store as well )). So the fact a Rio5 can haul IKEA stuff is good

I do realize it is all about personal taste, and I can afford either trim level without issue... I just don't want to overbuy. I'm very value-for-money oriented (which is why i did not choose the Dart, you needed to spec it up a lot to get the same level of gear as a Rio5 and it cost about $6k more), and I research the nuts off of anything I buy.

 

That's cool, another possible Rio owner in Calgary. We should start a meet up. I see so few here. As for the Ikea stuff, I can give you some exact product numbers that have successfully fit in the back of my Rio with two passengers up front and comfortable leg room.

Thanks for the response about the Dart. I immediately noticed the same thing when I spec'd out what I would want which was $4~6k over the cost of my Rio. As much fun as it would be to have more HP, 4 wheel independent suspension and all the stuff that would make it more fun to drive; I realized that I would be stuck in day to day traffic more often than not. The 8” infotainment screen and 7” cluster screen are cool, as is some of the other cool features.

 

I just purchased my Kia Rio 5 SX with Navigation in December, and I thought I wanted the EX all the way to the dealership. I ended up with the SX because I got a great deal, and honestly I love the added features. The large screen is great when using the backup camera, and leather looks fantastic. The best thing to do is to compare both models and decide for yourself whether you would like the extra features. I love the look of the 17" rims, I get compliments on the them all the time. Also, the projection headlights give the car a very upscale look. I don't think you would regret it if you got the SX, but it's totally a personal choice.

Good luck!

 

Went with the $19k EX with convenience package. Wanted a separate GPS so I could upgrade every few years and also 15" 65 series tires for the bad roads.

Looking back at the SX I say "well......I could have." but then "nah.... still happy."

 

I am in Canada....

I bought the SX because i wanted leather and it was only available in the SX when i bought... as well, i did not go for the navigation as they wanted an extra 1500 for the unit, but thats all the extra... way too much for navigation if you ask me.

Love the SX, love the 17" wheels, love the heated leather, love the tan leather in white combo, thats why i bought.

I am getting 36mpg IMPERIAL (7.6 to 7.9 l/100km) in mostly city driving, so I am happy with that as well.

Good luck on your selection... nice little city car if youa sk me.

 

I went with the SX and I'm glad I did. Heated steering is nice. But what I really most appreciate, and never thought I would, is the push button start. It's sooooo nice to just walk up to the car, open the door, and drive away, without ever having to reach for the key fob. The 17's give the car a better overall look too. For me, the difference in price between the EX and the SX is worth it. In the long run I knew that if I had decided to "cheap out" for lack of a better term, I would have been sorry for it later.

 

You're a bit right. Sometimes I say to myself I should have gone for the SX trim. Surprisingly, my dealer didn't push the sale for an SX cause I had insisted on a smooth ride which was important to me coming from a Neon 2000 which had lot of torque but was noisy as a train and rough riding as a bronco! So he didn't recommend the SX which was what I wanted in first place. He convinced me for the smoother ride of the EX with its 16in tires. Is the SX ride so rough and tough? How would you qualify your ride. Mine is quite smooth OK but the road and tire noise is quite high also. Well that's all you can hear since the engine is practically silent at 90-120 km/h.

 

My roommate has a 2012 Optima SX Turbo with all the bells and whistles. I do agree, the no-jiggling-about-for-a-key aspect is VERY tempting, as it does suck to stand in the middle of a train station parking lot in a blizzard fubling in your satchel for a key while your nose is freezing off. Being able to hop in, push a button, and drive off without having to take my gloves off = a small comfort in words, but in our -20 C or below winters, a finger saver.

Auto climate control same thing. Set temp, let car handle the heating and such. Fumbling around with gloves on in my current 1994 Mazda 626 = have to really concentrate to hit the airflow buttons hard enough for them to actually click into place

It looks like it may very well be worth the ~$2500.... the less faffing about I have to do, the sooner I can be off to/home from the train station (I take an in-city light rail train to work)

 

Yeah, I forgot the push button ignition is awesome and handy. The auto-climate control is exceptional. I really never fuss with it and leave it at 22 degrees. The auto defrost is great, I never have to worry about my windows fogging. Especially getting in the car at the end of the day, -30 out, I just start up and drive away.

If it is a cold week, it helps to leave the heated wheel on when you shut off your car, it will then automatically come on when you start it the next time. Though I think it is designed for folks wearing gloves, because it gets way too warm/hot for me and I have to turn it off after only a couple of minutes in to my commute.

 

I was about to chime in on the wheel size. For your type of driving, I would recommend the 65 profile 15" tyres; better ride and greater protection from road hazards. When it comes to replacing the tyres, the lower cost is a bonus. Decent 15" tyres in Oz are about $140 vs. $240 for 17". I recommend Yokohama or Michelin.

One of my cars has keyless entry and it's convenient, especially if you are familiar with the "Wifey Toxic Handbag Syndrome", but it's not a deal-changer. Possible less maintenance on switch/lock gear for cars that are used for a lot of stop-go delivery work, but that's a minor issue.

 

Yup. I dread holes on the road it is loud in here.. But the SX is a great treat to have. Also nice DRL led tail lights. Great for people to see you.

 

Yeah, there is no mistaking hitting a pot hole in the SX from the jolt to the noise. However I find that when you get a stretch of curvy road and can cruise, you do appreciate that firmness and feedback is good. There is even a few bumpy sections in the city that if I hit at a decent speed are fun with the SX ride.

 

willywidget &vagabond142, I am in Calgary too. I pondered the EX vs SX when my car came in after waiting 4 months. I could have bought a 2012 EX UVO for $3500 less than my 2013 SX UVO due to KIA incentives on 2012.I went with the SX & have never regretted it. Adding to Marleyfan61s great comments I also really like the Auto Climate Control & the Automatic Heated Driver's Seat.The ride isn't great on bumps but all models of Rio have this problem.My only real issues are persistent dash rattle (Dealer fixed once but came back). Other pain is the ridiculously low Passengers Seat.Other than these issues I love this car

 

I thought the lower passenger seat would be a concern. I certainly notice it when I sit passenger. However I've only received comments on it followed by wow there is a lot of room for such a small car.

 

A lot of my friends are tall, so a lower passenger seat might be a bonus!

 

Same here, I am 6.1'. Most of my friends are between 6.1' to 6.8' at the far end. Definitely lots of leg room but you do notice how low it is when you initially sit on that side. Next time you're at the dealership, sit on the passenger side.

As a side note and recommendation to everyone, make sure to sit in all of the seating locations when buying a new car. Trust me; it helps to know what it's like to sit on the passenger side and in the back (driver and passenger sides). Sometimes the weird 60/40 split can create a different experience. I am a big guy and sometimes sitting on the passenger side rear seat, the 40 split, can be a little uncomfortable on the back. It also helps you to detect possible defects on the interior at the point of purchase.

 

I love my SX. The 2 things I want most was Leather and automatic climate control, and nothing to complain over here. I have to say that the automatic climate is really good, better than the one in my Acura CSX. The automatic seat heater for driver is also a good feature. The ride is firm but I love it in curve !

 

So, I went down to Kia on Saturday and took out three cars for a test: Forte 5, Rio 5, Forte Koup.

-Loved the power of the Koup, although it did feel a little twitchy in cornering, like it almost didn't know if it wanted to step the back end out or not (granted, Saturday here was icy and a little snowy). Also, as it was the SX model, I kept bumping my head on the headliner (I am very tall in the torso), even with the seat reclined beyond comfortable.

-The Forte 5 (the 158 HP model) felt a lot more balanced and neutral, tracked well. No sunroof = looooooooads of headroom. Nice and spacious, although there is a whiff of "last generation" about the interior (same as with the Koup).

-The Rio5 (SX model) felt peppy and the 6MT was very well suited for city traffic, although finding third was a bit of a chore the first few shifts, the gating is very vague 2->3, although I assume that one gets used to it over time. 4->5 was nice and snappy. The ride was compliant, however over some of the cracks and bumps in our major roadway (those that live here: Deerfoot), it was a little jarring. Not like being kicked in the rump with a steel toed boot, but enough to go "hmmm, could I live with this for longer distance trips."

So, of the three, I think the Rio 5 is still my best bet Still on the SX/EX fence though... the EX 6AT I tested before was nice and comfortable, but didn't have the front end confidence and "scrabbly let's go let's go" feeling the SX does when entering a corner.

 

-The Rio5 (SX model) felt peppy and the 6MT was very well suited for city traffic, although finding third was a bit of a chore the first few shifts, the gating is very vague 2->3, although I assume that one gets used to it over time. 4->5 was nice and snappy. The ride was compliant, however over some of the cracks and bumps in our major roadway (those that live here: Deerfoot), it was a little jarring. Not like being kicked in the rump with a steel toed boot, but enough to go "hmmm, could I live with this for longer distance trips."

just as a tip, if you drive one again, just confirm the tire pressure is correct, as it appears that it is very common for many dealers not to check this when they PDI the vehicle and leave in the very high pressure setting that the factory has for shipping the vehicle overseas.

I guess you know that there is a whole new Forte, Forte 5 and Forte Koup coming out this year which is vast difference over the current model.

 

vagabond142 Which dealer are you dealing with? Have a friend who is a dealer principal @ one of the Calgary Dealers .LMK? Thanks Terry

 

I haven't decided on dealer yet, but I'm fairly sure I will be going through Eastside Kia. Kia City just gives off a bit of a "Greasy dealer" vibe, especially as one sales guy has called me back about 13 times "So, ready to buy a Rio yet?" "No, I told you, I'm buying in April, stop calling me"

My roomy bought his Optima through Eastside and has recommended me a salesperson to go through, and he works in internet sales and marketing, so when he likes a salesperson, I put a LOT of faith in his recommendations

 

I didn't know any better and did some research and ended up going with Kia City myself. I actually found the whole process actually very pleasant. They we easy to negotiate with and my sales person was awesome. I have friend who works for Kia in B.C. and the employee/family discount is not much better than what I negotiated for myself. I had some practice too, having negotiated my Fiancee's Fiesta the year before. Definitely go in prepared. I still have some unused car-cost reports on my account, PM me and I will create one for you. It came in very handy.

 

Yes, I know about the new Forte's.... and the fact that they are at least half a year from even being able to be ordered, and the Koup is going to be waitlisted to hell and back. And honestly, I'm a small car kinda guy (not like an iQ or SMART small, but Rio5 small ).

The fact of the matter is I bought my 626 last year as a "survival car." It was never meant to last more than a few months, and here i am over a half a year into ownership and it's dying fast. I've been researching for a while now... I was sold on a Genesis Coupe 2.0T from 2010 until I read that their turbos liked to explode... then I researched and was happy looking at a Ford Focus, until I read that their gearboxes liked to... explode. (And to get equivalent of a Rio5 EX's equipment level, you need to spec up to $25k or better).

And then there's the Rio5, with the biggest complaint I've seen being that the dashboard creaks when it's a little nippy out. I can live with that XD

 

Yes, I know about the new Forte's.... and the fact that they are at least half a year from even being able to be ordered, and the Koup is going to be waitlisted to hell and back. And honestly, I'm a small car kinda guy (not like an iQ or SMART small, but Rio5 small ).

And then there's the Rio5, with the biggest complaint I've seen being that the dashboard creaks when it's a little nippy out. I can live with that XD

Vagabond, you'll be happy with the Rio 5. The way you talk about it makes me say this is the car you want. You're a wise shopper though: you went through all the other makes and models that were attractive to you and you seem to come back to the Rio. As for creaks, some have them loud, some less than others like me. My Ex Sedan has some creaks and I hear them cause I drive windows up and listen mostly to talk radio. I guess when you play music loud, the creaks fade away. And those creaks blend with every other inside and outside noise. Don't let that shy away from a transaction but if I may, speak with your salesman truthfully about your apprehensions. Just to make sure he will know and remember when -the car bought- you come back fro service. Now tell me: which trim you'll go for, color, Auto or Speed.

For the new Forte: it's a 2015-2016 car to get. I have me eyes on it...Love my small Tanzanite beauty but the new Forte...

 

I'm with you there, Racineur. I actually never buy in to the first release of anything (except some video games), such as my buying a PS3 slim instead of a PS3 fat, mostly because of the price drop and by then, they had figured out most of the overheating problems.

So I won't be buying a 2014 Forte, but a 2013 Rio is already 2+ years into model life, meaning a lot of the "bugs" should be worked out by now