Still working to establish itself in the U.S. market, Kia’s 2001 vehicular menu did have one claim that no other company could match: With a base price of $9054, its new 1.5-liter Rio subcompact was the cheapest new car you could buy in 2001. Introduced midyear as an 2001 model, the hatchback Spectra would roll into the new year as is.