First Test: 2012 Kia Rio 5-Door EX

I also think its still very ugly even after the redesign. Too much like a copy of other cars. This vehicle makes Peter Schreyer's look and feel cheap. He was such a good designer. He still is but he is a total sell out. I guess that is where the money is at. Asura: Very good points and thank you for putting the price of this car into perspective as compared to its primary competition.  I too would advocate that people do a little research before making random statements with little substance.  

ALF: The weak American dollar has everything to do with the price increases of automobiles.  To keep costs in line while offering a good perceived value, we see manufactures using rear drum breaks and downgraded engines (VW), lower quality interior grade plastics (VW, Toyota, Honda) and cheaper steering components (VW) in order to stay competitively priced.  Simply put, the weaker the dollar, the more dollars it takes to buy the same product.  Prices dropping in electronics correlates to the short lifecycles of these products. As the newest products are offered, prices of the old products drop and as new technologies are adapted across a broader market, fixed costs and the costs for development are spread out over a wider range thus further decreasing the cost per unit.  

While this car may be competitively priced within its market, I would be an advocate to move up one size.  I feel that the price difference between the B and C segments is relatively minute compared to the larger size, more powerful engines, higher comfort level (NVH) and similar economy of the larger vehicles.  Factoring in resale value and one might even be further ahead with a Focus versus a Fiesta, Mazda 3 (at typically 0% financing) versus Mazda 2 and a 40MPG Elantra over the Accent.  I would conclude that the value equation (what it costs versus what you get) of the C segment is far greater than the B segment in general.

For those complaining about the price:

Ford Fiesta SE Hatch with Automatic and Sync and Sound package: $18,085
Chevy Sonic LT Hatch with Turbo engine and Connectivity Plus Cruise package: $17,005
Honda Fit Sport with Automatic: $18,530
Hyundai Accent SE with Automatic: $17,555
Mazda2 with Automatic: $17,230
Nissan Versa 1.8SL: $19,150.

So...Looking at the prices of its competition...

You make the call. But before you start typing incoherently with rage about the price, look at where everyone else is. And then look at the Economy. And look at the value of the American Dollar.

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