According to Mobile Magazine, the Rio is a subcompact that Kia has modified somewhat to create a new hybrid model it calls the Rio Hybrid. The 1.4 liter gas engine, coupled with a 12kW electric motor and a continuously variable transmission, offers 53.4 mpg while emitting 37 percent less air pollutants.

The Rio hybrid can reach 0 to 60 mph in 12.2 seconds. Part of this is due to the car's hood, trunk lid and seat frames which made of aluminum.

The conventional Rio is priced at $15,000. It is expected that the Rio Hybrid won’t be too much more than that.

Release date has not been given at the time the article was published. Our take? Hybrid naysayers constantly bring up a hybrid's higher price as a sticking point, saying it's not worth the increased mileage. (They seem to shut up when asked to justify increased horsepower on their favorite cars.) With the Rio hybrid and other, less expensive hybrids to be released by automakers by decade's end, they'll soon have to look for new excuses.