Kia is an automaker that aims for making cars at affordable prices. While hardly offering the comforts of a Lexus, Kia brand automobiles offer a vehicle that gets you where you need to go without costing you a fortune. With a reputation like that, many people are undoubtedly asking where Kia is in the hybrid electric vehicle market? Many people have the urge to go to a hybrid car, but not the dollars to buy one at a large premium to existing automobiles. Currently, when Kia launches a hybrid model, it is expected to be the least expensive one on the market.

Unfortunately, for those who have waited, there is more waiting yet to come. While the hybrid model of the Kia Rio was originally slated to be launched in late 2006, delays in bringing the model to production mean that we’re unlikely to see any hybrid Kia models until sometime in 2009.

Based on the current design being produced in
South Korea, the Kia Rio uses a “mild hybrid” model in which the electric motor provides a boost during acceleration and permits regenerative braking, but cannot drive the car on its own. Coming with an 84 hp, 1.4L engine, the Kia Rio is expected to get approximately 42 miles per gallon. The car will come with a 16hp electric motor. The engine and motor can be upgraded to 1.8L and 20hp respectively.

While far from the mileage some might have dreamed of, at approximately 42mpg the Kia Rio hybrid will offer substantial gas savings over the non-hybrid model.