Most people are under the impression that compact economy cars are all about sacrifice, believing that such vehicles lack power, features, style, and possibly most important, comfort. However, after two days and 1,400 miles with our butts planted in the seat of a 2006 Kia Rio5, it is clear that comfort is one of this car’s many strengths.

Up front are bucket seats that, at first, seem a bit soft, which made us wonder how supportive they’d be after hours on the road. That concern disappeared after a few hundred miles, when it became obvious that Kia engineers had supplied Rio drivers with comfortable, supportive chairs that come standard with height adjustment, a fold-down padded armrest, and perfectly shaped and placed headrests. Rounding out the thumbs-up driving position is the tilt steering wheel, well-placed door armrest, and generous leg, foot, and shoulder room.

Rear passengers are afforded decent accommodations, though there are enough deficiencies to warrant feelings of jealousy pointed at front seat riders. There’s no center armrest to be had, the seatback is reclined too much, the door armrests are small, the headrests feel like fabric-covered construction paper, and minimal legroom means you’ll be rubbing your knees against the thinly-veiled cardboard on the front seatbacks. On a positive note, there is sufficient headroom and footroom, and the seat cushions are supportive and comfortable.