23 - North Shore News — Friday, September 29, 2000 Urban com Fros page A good urban/commuter car ‘The Rio’s standard 96- horsepower, 1.5-litre, DOHC 16-valve, four-cylinder engine is not exactly a powerhouse, but the Rio weighs only 970 kg (2,13+ [b.), so acceleration is acceptable around town with good launch characteris- tics. With just 98 ft.-Ib. of torque at 4,509 r.p.m., how- ever, throttle response at high- way speeds is rather slow, so it’s best to plan ahead if you plan on passing that lumber. ing, RV in the lane ahead of you, particularly if you've got passengers on board. During acceleration, the engine is rather noisy up to its 6,500 p.m. redline, but while cruising, it’s acceptably _ muted. On the highway the engine turns over just 2,600 rp.m. at a constant 100 km/h, so fong drives are com- fortable. 1 was pleasantly surprised ~ at how smoothly the optional four-speed sutomatic transmis- sion changed gears — it’s dif- ficult to find a smooth-chang- ing automatic transmission in cars with engines under 1.6 litres. A handy overdrive but- ton on the shift lever allows the driver to hold the trans- * mission in third gear while climbing or descending hills. Fuel consumption is excel- fent, 2 function of its small engine and light curbweight. With the standard five-speed -: manual transmission, city fuel ‘consumption is 7.7 litres per ~ “100 km (37 m.p.g.), and with the four-speed automatic. transmission, city fuel con- ~_ sumption is 8.4 lives/100 km (34 mpg. ‘a Fuel consump- tion on the highway is 5.8 Htres/100 km (49 nip.g.) with the manual transmission, and 5.9 litres/100 kin (48 m.p.g.) with the automatic transmission. I tound the Rio’s ride comfortoble for a small car. The bady feels tight and the suspension (front MacPherson struts/rear torsion beam) is not too stiff, Handling is niin- ble, in part because of the Rio's small size and tight turning circle. All Rios come uter lacks anti option. The standard front disc/rear drum brakes are adequate for this size and weight of car, but anti-lock brakes are not available. Overall, [ thought the Rio makes an excellent urban commuter car. It offers good fuel economy, the engine is powerful enough, it’s easy to drive and easy to park, out- ward visibility is unobstructed, and the ride is comfortable. photo Kia THE interior finish of the Kia Rio is above average for _ @ Sub-compact. with standard 175/70R-13 inch tires which are adequate for city driving, but a bit small for sporty driving. Unfortunately, 14 inch tires are not offered, even as an : wei ve got their vote. We’ re more interested in n yours. www. intellichoice.com Interior above-average for its class My test car was a fully- equipped LS sedan with air conditioning, CD player, power windows and power www. infiniticonoda.com OF Catt 1-800-361-4792 * Selected “Best Overall Value” 3 years running 1998, 1999, 2000 “elie the largest and one of the most respected authorities 2 ‘in evaluating cost of ownership, has chosen Ox4 as “Best Overall -Nalue” for "98, 9 and 2000: And now, the exceedingly well-equipped QX4 for 2001 offers even more 2 value with over 100 standard features, a class-leading 240-HP™ 3.5-litre V6 engine, an elegantly- : : appointed, spacious leatheri interior, advanced All-Mode 4-wheel drive and sunroof. But an appreciation :of the infiniti Total Ownership Experience begins with your first Guest Drive. Only then can you Tadd the only vote that truly matters. Yours. GE: 57} REGENCY AUTO GROUP REGENCY INFINITI 1768 Burrard St. Vancouver., ., ees : Own one and you’tl understand. (604) 739-7811. door locks. The interior is nicely fin- ished for an economy car with two-tone cloth seats and matching cloth door inserts, and a simple, attractive dash layout. The instruments are traditional round gauges with white numerals on a black background, and the centre dash area contains (in descending order) an open storage tray on top of the dash, hazard warning buttons, radio/cassette/CD plaver, a coin holder and digital clock, and heater/air conditioning system with rotary dials. Below that is an ashtray and lighter /power point, and nwo pull-out cupholders. [ noticed that there was no lock /unlock button for the power door locks; you have to pull,up on the driver's door lock stem to unlock the other passenger doors. From the outside, turning the key once in the driver’s door lock will unlock or lock all the doors at lock brake opti Once, Front passengers have ade- quate headroom and legroom, and RS and LS models have a manual seat cushion height adjuster, While the driving position is quite good, I felt the seat cushion on the dri- ver’s seat felt was a bit hard. ‘The rear three-person bench seat has adequate head- room and legroom, though a lot depends on how far back See Ria’s page 29 | aes Se es ee ee ee ATTENTION! Complete mechanical & electrical repairs by factory trained technician IMPEX AUTO 11664, West 14th Street Tel: 985-6237 (off Pemberton Ave., entrance at rear) :» * plus tax & installation * phos parts 8 tox, Moet vehicles : “LUBE, ON. & FATER *- @ Havoline -- Ads Mare Lite Te Vosp Cup™ mechanics without the attitude as hae wibo bb eanee eee a Acyl. starting at. 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