The Kia Rio is proof that great styling, impressive build quality and high equipment levels can be affordable. The Rio was launched at about the same time as Hyundai insanely popular Getz dropped off the radar, opening up a huge sales opportunity for the right light car. The Rio combines European design, custom tuning for Australian road conditions and a razor sharp $16,000 starting price.
So, all up. the Japanese car makers are just about guaranteed to hate it. If you whip the badges off a Rio you could easily mistake it for the next big thing in small European cars. The interior's pretty flash too its one of the best in the class all dr domenic the real delives and elegent interior its logically light out and absulitly with features.
Even the base model comes standard with blue tooth for phone and audio streaming plus an array of steering wheel controls. Safety is also big on the agenda with 6 airbags and stability control standard. The sporty looking 3 dial instrument cluster is becoming something of a Kia design trademark. and it works brilliantly well on the Rio.
The accommodation is impressive. You fit 4 adults inside without anyone complaining. although taller passengers could find the rear leg room just a bit cramped. If you got young kids, there's ample back seat space. The base model Rio gets a 1.4 liter petrol 4, while the meet and top spec models get a much more impressive 1.6 liter petrol direct infection.
All models come standard with a 6 speed manual and an optional order despite the 1.6 liter Rio's impressive power output, and more than 100 kilowatts from a light car is pretty impressive, the gear ratios were engineered for fuel efficiency. So the Rio is not quite as quick off the mark as you might have hoped.
You need to climb high into the red range before the Rio really starts to get going. And, while the six speed manual is easy enough to drive the super smooth six speed auto really is the pick. Like the Optima and the Sportage, the Rio gets Bespoke Australian suspension tuning, which probably explains why it feels so at home on our very un-European Aussie roads.
The Rio is extremely composed, sitting flat in corners, even when pushed hard. The SLR Rio's upgraded front brakes and standard low profile continental tires give it a real dynamic edge, its fun to drive. At high speed there's noticeable tire roar from those low profile continental tires on the SLI, but it's a worth while trade-off for all that extra grip.
Around town, the Rio absorbs potholes and other surface imperfections with the plomb. It's even quiet enough on course Beacham. If you are in the market for a Kia Rio, test drive the Volkswagen Polo and the Ford Fiesta, which together make up the top three light cars in the market. This is John Cadogan reporting for CarAdvice.
