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2003 Kia Rio RX-V Road Test

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Alexandra Straub
Wagons are Cool Again

I never thought I would be station wagon fan. As a kid I remember sitting in the back seat of my mom's car and seeing these shopping mall appliances with wood-paneling down their sides - what we called 'road wood'. Yuck. I never wanted to be caught dead in one of those or any wagon for that matter. But luckily, since my childhood, things have changed. Station wagons have transitioned from wood, to would be cool cars.

Wagons have transfromerd from 'road wood' to 'would-be cool' cars, thanks to their functionality and fun. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)
It was only after the family wagon, which was passed down from my mom, to my brother and then to me (just like a family heirloom), that I became a fan. And it was in my teenage years that I experienced the functionality of a five-door. During exam time I would open the trunk, sit in the school parking lot, hang out and study in it. I wanted to think I was cool, but I thought wrong. I mean, who gets popular in high school by driving around a station wagon, no matter how much trunk space it has? All the hip kids in school were in sports cars and SUV's, but not me. Nevertheless, wheels are wheels and I loved mine.

A delight to drive, even with only a 104-hp 1.6L DOHC engine. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)
I parked my old wagon last week to spend time in Kia's updated 2003 Rio RX-V. It's definitely a delight to drive. The feisty five-door struts its stuff on the streets, sporting a fabulous Rally Blue exterior finish that catches the eyes of passers by. Although it doesn't have as much power as I normally would like, only 104 horsepower at 5,800 and 104 lb-ft of torque at 4,700, the 1.6L DOHC engine is still adequate enough for its cause.

That cause, of course, is basic transportation, but while it might be one of the least expensive new cars available in Canada, I enjoyed driving it. Its P175/65R14 tires and sporty 14" alloy rims, give the car a secure, planted feeling even at slightly above posted highway limits while it performed fairly well through corners. Overall I felt fairly in tune with the road.
Alexandra Straub
Alexandra Straub
Automotive expert
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