2011 Kia Forte Ex on 2040-cars

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The 2018 Kia Rio makes a quiet debut in New York

While the 2017 New York Auto Show might be dominated by another variant of the Dodge Challenger, the new 2018 Kia Rio sedan proves that the show isn't all about horsepower and quarter-mile times. We saw the latest iteration of the littlest Kia last fall in Paris, but we all know how much America loves sedans, so the Korean automaker saved the four-door debut for the US. The Rio gets a ground-up redesign for what will be its fourth generation. The design predictably looks like a shrunken version of the midsize Optima. Its handsome, if not exactly groundbreaking. All Rios ride on 15-inch wheels. Although they provide plenty of sidewall to soften the ride, they look just a little too small for the car. Both the sedan and five-door models are slightly longer than the previous models, meaning there's a bit of extra leg and trunk space than before. Inside, like the current Optima, expect a stark improvement over the previous generation when it comes to fit, finish, and interior materials. From the A pillar forward, the Rio sedan is essentially the same as the five-door. Notably for the segment, top-trim Rios have a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Power comes solely from a 130 horsepower 1.6-liter inline four, a decent amount of power for this class. Drivers have the option of either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Fuel economy numbers haven't been announced, but expect it to meet or exceed the previous model's rating of 27 city and 36 highway. The sedan and five-door models are set to go on sale later this year. Related Video:

2014 Kia Soul

Rounding Out The Market's Best Box
As a car critic, you can tell a lot about a new car just by looking at a map. That's because more often than not, the geography of where a vehicle is initially launched will tell you a surprising amount about how the automaker feels about its new baby. Manufacturers want their models to be shown in the best light - dynamically and socially - so they put a lot of thought into where they first let members of the media slip behind the wheel. Luxury cars nestle up closely to swank hotels in the globe's trendiest locales, high-performance cars are let loose on breathtaking mountain roads with adjacent racetracks, and so on. It all makes for a tough life, as you can imagine.
So consider it telling that when Kia first launched the Soul way back in 2009, it did so in Miami. Trendy? Check. Billiard-table level, arrow-straight smooth roads? Frequently snarled with traffic? Check and check. You see, good as it was, the original Soul wasn't a particularly thrilling driver. Competent, sure, but its simplistic suspension, modest power and upright dimensions didn't exactly afford it entertaining driving dynamics. Which is exactly why Kia launched it in an environment utterly devoid of potholes and curves (save those conjured by the area's robust plastic surgery community), instead choosing a city loaded down with pedestrians and slow-moving motorists.

America was the unexpected theme at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show thanks to Trump

President-elect Donald Trump was not in attendance at this year's Detroit Auto Show, but it sure seemed like he was the target audience for many of the press conferences and announcements surrounding the event. Several manufacturers chose to play up existing and future commitments to the US in general and American jobs specifically in their presentations to the press, and we're pretty sure that has everything to do with Trump's recent targeting of automakers on Twitter. To us, it seemed automakers were going on the offensive to try and preempt any future tweet-shaming for investing in auto manufacturing anywhere but the US. The pro-America sentiment started the week prior to the auto show, with Ford announcing that it would build several future electrified vehicles at its Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Michigan and also cancel a $1.6 billion factory planned for Mexico. Ford announced the two items on the same day, but the reality is that they likely have no relation to each other; the Mexican plant is being skipped because the company doesn't need the extra capacity to build the Ford Focus right now. Trump was still happy to share the news on Twitter. Then, on Sunday, FCA announced it would invest $1 billion in manufacturing plants in Ohio and Michigan to produce the new Jeep Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and Wrangler-based pickup. It's not as though those potential new jobs were on their way out of the US, necessarily, but FCA took the opportunity to mention that plant upgrades at the Warren Truck Plant would allow the company to build Ram heavy duty trucks, which are currently assembled in Mexico, there. CEO Sergio Marchionne confirmed that Trump and his proposed tariffs had nothing to do with the decision. We certainly believe that, but we also have to believe that the timing of the release, positive outcome for America, and zero gain for Mexico were all orchestrated. Again, Trump sent out a victory tweet as if this had been his doing. Ford then used its press conference at the show on Monday to reiterate the plans for Flat Rock and also confirm that the Ford Bronco and Ranger nameplates will be returning to the US market, and that both will be built at a plant in Michigan. Announcements of manufacturing locations are usually aimed at the UAW, which certainly has a stake in these things, but again this one was broadcast to the auto show crowd in general.