Cheap
petrol prices may have shifted buyers attention away from small cars in recent
months, but it hasn't halted a raft of new models arriving in the city car
segment lately, led by the all-new Mazda2.
To keep
pace with the competition, Kia has
recently freshened its Rio
family with updated styling – both inside and out – and a revised range of
models.
What do you get?
The Rio slots right into
the thick of the small car action with the entry-level three-door S starting at
$15,990 plus on-road costs, and tops out at the moment with the Si at $21,490
plus on-roads. Higher grade Sport and SLi versions will be added later this
year
In the
middle is the new S premium we're testing here, which is only available in the
five-door body style and costs $17,690 (plus on-roads) with a five-speed
manual. The four-speed automatic version in our test vehicle adds another
$2000.
All of
the updated Rio
models gain a new front and rear bumper design and a fresh grille, while the
cabin features an upgraded centre console and audio system with higher-quality
metal-look finishes throughout.
In
basic trim, the Rio comes
standard with cloth interior trim, air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity,
six airbags and a full-sized spare wheel.
For the
additional $1500, the S Premium brings extra goodies such as 15-inch alloy
wheels, front fog lamps, electric folding wing mirrors, cruise control, leather-wrapped
steering wheel and gear shifter and a six-speaker sound system. But it misses
out on features such as a reverse camera, sat nav and parking sensors that are
available in rival models that cost less.
None
can match Kia's ownership
credentials, however, with the Rio covered by a seven-year/unlimited kilometre
warranty and a capped price servicing scheme over the same period with 12 month
/ 15,000km intervals.
What's inside?
Even
though the Rio misses out on
some high-tech toys, the cabin presents itself with a degree of quality that's
up there with the best in the class.
While
the overall design is simple, the updated cockpit looks classy with its new
centre console finished in piano black and highlighted by well-finished metal
surrounds. Similarly, the audio system is pretty basic but its functions are
easy to use, the Bluetooth connection is quick and intuitive and the new toggle
switches for the air conditioning controls add a sense of youthful flair
without being over-styled.
The
rest of the cabin is more geared towards function rather than form, with plenty
of storage holes in the centre console, twin 12V chargers as well as AUX and
USB inputs and decent-sized door bins.
The
front seats are comfortable, the instruments are clear and easy to read and
there's good vision all around. In the back, there's adequate space for adults
to travel without too much impediment, but they do miss out on rear air vents
which is par for the course in this class. And while the 288L boot isn't the
biggest in the class, it can easily cope with weekly family duties.
Under the bonnet
While
the S Premium's 1.4-litre four cylinder produces numbers that match its rivals
– generating 79kW of power and 135Nm of torque – it isn't as spritely as the
slightly-larger engines in the Mazda2 and Honda Jazz.
That's
largely because it only has a four-speed automatic – rather than six ratios in
the Mazda or a seamless CVT in the Jazz – which makes it feel lethargic around
town and needs to be worked hard to accelerate away from the lights, where it
becomes a bit raucous at high revs. It also doesn't help at highway speeds,
where the gearbox constantly hunts between third and top gear on inclines.
Nor
does it aid its fuel consumption. While Kia claims the Rio S Premium has
an average economy rating of 5.9L/100km – which is on par with most city car
rivals but well behind the Mazda2's claimed 4.9L figure – we recorded
8.6L/100km during our mix of city and freeway driving.
On the road
As it
does in its overall presentation, the Rio has a driving character
that is greater than the sum of its parts.
There
is nothing tricky about its mechanical set-up, but Kia Australia's investment in
tuning its products to suit Australian tastes and conditions has resulted in a
well-sorted small car that, while not setting any particular dynamic
benchmarks, has no obvious shortcomings.
The
electric power steering is well-weighted and has a more natural feel than some
of competitors with good on-centre feel and decent response.
The
suspension, too, offers a good balance between everyday comfort and predictable
front-drive handling, and it is reasonably quiet at highway speeds with good
isolation from wind and road noise.
Verdict
The Rio isn't the
freshest, most efficient or zippiest city car in its segment, and nor is it the
cheapest and best equipped, but it stacks up well with the class leaders in
terms of overall refinement and driving abilities.
On the
strength of its comprehensive ownership credentials, it's the pragmatic choice
for small car shoppers.
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