2001 Kia Rio Review

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Review:

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Motoring the traffic-clogged I-35 heading north out of San Antonio, I notice that one of the rear wheels of a car in front of me is wobbling significantly. It turns out to be a Texas State Police car and I become even more concerned about letting the officer on board know the condition of his Impala's wheel. Speeding ahead now, I dodge in and out of traffic to reach him. The car I'm driving handles perfectly as I weave my way forward.

Alongside the officer, I make hand signals and mouth out: "Your rear wheel!" He doesn't get it. We agree to pull over and after some more maneuvering, we come to a stop on the shoulder. He gets it. And, I feel like a good citizen.

Soon, however, I realize that it will take time, skill and a good throttle response to reenter the flow of back-to-back, high-speed traffic. When the timing is right, I step on the throttle of America's lowest-priced car and am impressed to find all the power needed is easily there. It's a real confidence-booster and before long, I'm in the passing lane, heading to the hills - the Texas Hill Country, that is -- to put this car through its paces through the slow twisties, over uneven surfaces and on up and downhill grades. But, for me, it's already received high marks.