There is an independent front suspension with MacPherson struts, coil springs and an anti-roll bar, and there is what Kia calls an ''elegantly simple" torsion beam axle at the back. Rack and pinion steering does allow for a little aggressive driving, but it seems unlikely that many people will do that.
Most people will pick Rio for its value, since it will likely start at around $12 000. It will not have a lot of equipment but what it will have is covered by a 36 months, 60 000 km basic limited guarantee and a 60 months power train guarantee.
During my visit to various Kia facilities around Seoul, Korean officials said little about the mid-size sedan. One executive admitted it would use the Sonata platform from Hyundai, which took control of Kia recently, and that it is currently called the Optima. Who knows what will happen when it goes on sale here.
Kia was more forthcoming about the Sedona minivan, which is called the Carnival in Korea. It is a nice looking piece, for a minivan, and it could be the only minivan in this country with a hood scoop, but that is not certain.
Sedona certainly will get a unique twist to its 2-2-3 seating configuration -- middle seats that recline and rotate to face backwards.