Kia Rio's tricks are a treat

The Kia Rio supermini is packed with eco technology to stop garage fill-ups haunting you.

APPARENTLY, we’re going to have a Halloween “heatwave”.

It didn’t seem that way driving into work this week in howling winds, rain and then fog.

That’s made even more depressing by driving a bright yellow Kia Rio. It’s nothing to do with the car, just a name that reminds you of the summer and sunbathing on the beach.

However, this Rio will still warm you up, thanks to a decent heater and fuel economy that keeps you out of filling stations.

Kia’s stop/start-equipped 1.1-litre turbo diesel emits just 86g/km of CO2, making it one of Britain’s most eco-friendly cars.

Road tax is free and this version of the Rio will return up to 85.6mpg, according to official figures.

In the real world, you probably get 75mpg – but it’s still likely to be the most fuel-efficient car in the UK.

Alongside this, there’s another 1.1 diesel, as well as a 1.4-litre unit, with both receiving stop-start. If you’re preference is for a petrol engine, Kia offer a 1.25 and a 1.4-litre unit.

On the road, this supermini does what it says on the tin. It’s for the road, not rallying, and without too much fuss it delivers the daily family taxi chores with ease.

It’s not the most rapid but you don’t need that on streets laden with speed cameras anyway.

What really does it for me is the looks. It has a strong, macho charm and almost cartoon-character friendliness – as though it had just appeared in the movie Cars.

Both the three-door and five-door models are available in a wide variety of paint finishes, including Clear White, Blaze Red, Bright Silver, Electric Blue, Midnight Black and Graphite.

The Rio is also impressive on the inside. There’s a simple layout with solid plastics all-round, while this facelift adds more glitzy touches, including gloss black trim and a new touchscreen infotainment system.

The Rio gets a three-dial instrument cluster and toggle switches on the centre console, which are neat touches.

There are six different trim levels to choose from, starting with the entry-level Rio 1. There are a few stand-out versions in the range, including the SR7, 1 Air and high-spec 4 models.

Despite its compact look, the Rio is surprisingly roomy inside and there’s plenty of space for two adults in the rear.

Kia claim the Rio offers best-in-class head and legroom for those upfront, while the steering wheel features two-way height adjustment on all but the entry-level diesel model.

All Rios come with Kia’s impressive seven-year warranty, as well as electric front windows, a trip computer, steering wheel-mounted controls and Bluetooth connectivity.

With all the kit and economy, life’s a beach with this Rio, even for a balmy Halloween.

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