Shoppers looking at the 2006 Kia Rio sedan will be able to choose from base and LX trim levels, while buyers considering the five-door Rio5 are limited to the SX model. All Rios are equipped with a four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. And, of course, every Kia buyer gets one of the best warranties in the business – basic coverage that spans five years or 60,000 miles, powertrain coverage that endures ten years or 100,000 miles of driving, and corrosion protection lasting five years or 100,000 miles. New for 2006 models is a one-year, 12,000-mile tire and road hazard warranty, something usually offered by tire manufacturers but not automakers.

The 2006 Kia Rio sedan starts at $11,110 (including a $540 destination charge) and includes variable intermittent windshield wipers, a rear window defroster, dual vanity mirrors, a trunk light, and an 8,000-rpm tachometer. Added touches include a delayed interior courtesy light and headlights that turn off automatically to preserve the battery. Front and rear floor mats are optional.

Impressive warranty aside, the Base model is short on amenities, so those wanting a few creature comforts will need to move up to the LX model. The $12,985 starting price brings with it a four-speaker sound system with a CD player, tilt steering, air conditioning, a 60/40 split folding rear seat, a cigarette lighter, a digital clock, and power steering. Options are also more plentiful and include a four-speed automatic transmission; a four-wheel antilock brake package that adds rear discs and electronic brake force distribution; a body-color decklid spoiler; and a Power Package that adds power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, power heated mirrors, and tweeters for the stereo.

At the top of the ladder is the 2006 Kia Rio5 SX, priced at $14,040. In return for the extra coin, buyers of the SX get a rear window washer and wiper, front fog lights, a body-color rear roof spoiler, leather on the steering wheel and shift knob, and alloy wheels. Like the LX sedan, the SX can be outfitted with the automatic transmission, antilock brake package, and Power Package.

While at the 2006 Kia Rio’s press launch in Seattle, we had a chance to drive an LX sedan and a five-door SX. However, since it was a Sunset Orange SX that carried us roughly 1,400 miles from northern Washington to southern California, this review will focus primarily on our Rio5 tester. Added to the $14,040 base price was $400 for the antilock brake package and $70 for floor mats, with the total tally reaching $14,510. It’s the SX model that represents the most value, with extra cargo capacity and a sportier design added to the features of the LX sedan. But, if we were buying, we’d scrape together a few extra pennies each month and opt for the convenience of the $600 Power Package, bringing the total to $15,110.