motor trend's comparison of 3 cheap 5-door cars,who makes the most grades?


3 CHEVROLET AVEO LS (1.6L 103hp) base $12,585
hot:upscale interior trim,full-range stereo sound,easiest to parallel-park
not:ropy shifter,excessive body roll,nonlinear handling response
verdict:korean car in all but name and warranty duration


2 KIA RIO CINCO (1.6L 104hp) base$11,905
hot:cavernous cargo hold,svelte and nicely resolved styling,low pricing
not:rowdy engine,wind and road noise;unsupportive seats,akimbo driving position
verdict:most useful package in the prettiest wrapper suffers frightening depreciation



1 SCION xA (1.5L 108hp) base $12,965
hot:slick,rev-happy engine;buttoned-down go-fast chassis;heel-n-toe optimized cockpit
not:firm ride,mini cargo hold,center gauge cluster
verdict:not surprisingly the lightest,most powerful, shortest-geared,best-built car aced all our tests