The five-door 2007 Kia Rio5 (in LX and SX trim levels) starts at $14,330. The overall design of the exterior emphasizes a sports car heritage with fifteen-inch tires, wheels of alloy, a rear spoiler matching the bady color, and fog lamps in the front. The engine has four-cylinders and generates 110 horsepower as a manual transmission with five speeds and overdrive. (There's an option for an automatic transmission with four speeds.) Fuel economy is rated at 32 mpg city and 35 highway with the manual and 29/38 with the automatic. (Fuel capacity is 11.9 gallons.)

The standard audio unit is a standard combo with four speakers. Both the seats and doors are trimmed in cloth and the driver's seat can be adjusted for height. The seat in the back folds according to the 60/40 configuration. Passenger volume is 92.2 cubic feet with the trunk measuring 15.8 cubic feet with the rear seat up and 49.6 with the seat down.

Safety features on the 2007 Kia Rio5 includes double air bags in the front with an additional two mounted in the seats to protect against impact from the side. (Bags in the curtain position are also present. The doors include beam to cushion against impact and crumple zones are present to the front and rear. (The steering wheel is also designed to absorb impact.) Child seats are held in place with the standard LATCH anchoring system and the locks on the rear doors are rated as child safe. The trunk includes an internal latch for emergency release.