Report: Kia start/stop system delayed due to poor feedback from media Car News and Review

The come-hither 2012 Kia Rio has been bolting off dealer lots for obvious reasons that go beyond its $ 14,350 price. One of its noteworthy features for the U.S. market, especially for the segment, is stop/start, which Kia calls ISG for Idle, Stop & Go. Media feedback, however, has confident Kia that ISG is not quite ready for prime time, so it’s been sent back to the engineers for tweaks.

The same system is also useable on the Kia Soul, and that hatchback will be going without for the moment, as well. Apparently, some reviewers found the system’s engagement rough. Kia didn’t give details around the move, either what might have caused the perceived roughness or what remedy it will use to fix it. If you’re holding out for ISG on your Rio or Soul, which is useable by checking the special Eco options package, a Kia executive said it will now be arriving in the second quarter.