Kia Rio 1.4 EX Life
Content
Korea's Kia (under scrutiny by Hyundai) is offering Europeans ever more attractive cars. The Sorento - like Western European countries - also sells well in Slovenia, in addition to its interesting shape, the Sportage has also received excellent Hyundai genes, Cerato and Picanto have not yet acquired their customers, and Rio is in a similar position. Interesting design, good equipment, very good price. It would be enough?
In this class of vehicles, price is paramount. How much mobile space you have, what kind of equipment it is, is it safe, how much it consumes - these are the main questions that suppliers need to answer. Well, we think Kia salespeople can be very talkative, as the Rio often ranks first or just below it in all criteria. In terms of floor space, it is one of the largest in the class of small cars, as with a length of 3.990 millimeters and a width of 1.695 millimeters it is exactly the same as the new Clio (3.985, 1.720), 207 (4.030, 1.720) or Punto Grande (4.030, 1.687) . At least with the pampering of Life equipment.
Two front airbags, height-adjustable driver's seat, height-adjustable power steering, electric front and rear side windows, central locking (on additional suspension, which is a real rarity!), Bumpers in body color, automatic air conditioning, on-board computer, ABS braking system, even height-adjustable backrest on the right of the driver. More than enough if we look at the statistics on the demand for steel equestrian equipment in Slovenia.
However, it is true that if you want electrically adjustable side airbags or rearview mirrors, maybe even front fog lights, you will have to opt for the more equipped Challenge version, which is 250 more expensive than before. mentioned Life. Security? Four stars in the EuroNCAP test for adult safety, three stars for children and two stars for pedestrians. In this regard, Kia will have to work a little, as competitors already have five stars out of five possible.
In terms of fuel consumption, we wrote that at 8 liters of unleaded gasoline for 6 kilometers, this is a little more, since we were driving slower due to bad tires. But we couldn't get more than 100 liters with a heavy right foot, and it's true that the engine is one of the best parts of a car. Well, more on that later. . And now summing up: a 9-liter engine, as much as 2 kilowatts (1.4 hp), good equipment, decent dimensions and safety. All of the above will cost you only 71 million tolars! !! !! If I were a seller, I would say that if you buy now, you will get this and that, and for the sake of kindness, you will also get protective carpets and so on. Hmmm, maybe I should really be among the sellers, I definitely have the right streak. .
But it's not that easy, because we don't take into account the essentials in the bare data. Emotions. Although the Kio Rio was designed in Rüsselsheim, Germany, which has a design and engineering center, it still lacks "Europeanness". Visibility, if you will. Audacity of design, although Kia cars are becoming more beautiful for Europeans every year. If you are blindfolded, you can easily determine that you have a Korean product in front of you, just by feeling it. Although. . If I were their salesman now, I would viciously remark that even touching a Punto and partly a Peugeot, they might think that this is a Korean product, since they are so badly made that body contacts are more a shame than the pride of modern automotive industry. . technology.
Ugh, he would be a serious salesman, what do you say? Aesthetics aside, as everyone interprets beauty differently, we missed a little more dynamics. As long as you drive very slowly, you will enjoy a quiet engine that will satisfy the torque even at lower revs. If you want more out of the car, you'll be disappointed with soft seats, overly indirect steering (Renault has the same problem, but they claim customers are looking for soft handling, albeit at the expense of passive safety), softer running gear, and desperate rubber.
While it was dry, it was tolerable, which is also confirmed by measuring the stopping distance. However, when the asphalt was flooded with water, or we were only driving on poor surface in the city center, it became dangerous even at speeds when you were overtaken by cyclists with a little more training. So we went to Alyos Bujga, a renowned racer and vulcanizer, to fit better tires of the same size. The difference was obvious, but more on that in a dedicated box. Kia told our findings that the tires are factory-selected, so they don't have much of an impact on that. But they will take into account our opinion as well. ...
However, you can trust us and you will not be disappointed from the inside. We didn't notice annoying crickets when parts of the dashboard began to make sounds due to vibration, but we praised the beautiful gauges, plenty of storage space, and rich equipment. The dials are large, the (digital) data is transparent, perhaps it would make sense if the designers of this car installed a large and convenient Mode button on the air conditioner elsewhere, as there are quite a few drivers in the editorial office. complained that when switching, he accidentally presses the right button with his right hand.
Speaking of the gearbox. . Its operation is precise, gentle, and even with a nice advertising clack-clack switch, only the cold ever "squeaked" and did not want to shift into first or reverse. Although the Kia Rio is not intended for sports pleasure, the gear ratio is calculated very briefly. So, after the speed limit on the highway, you will be driving in fifth gear at four thousand rpm, so over time, the engine noise becomes annoying. Admittedly, the bike fits this machine.
Nearly 100 horses, spinning fun and low-end refinement are things you only begin to appreciate after a few days together. When you are in a bad mood, you drive through the bustle of the city only in third gear, and when you are doing well, you press the gas pedal and enjoy acceleration.
At Kia, they want the Rio to succeed its big brother Sorento, which has also resurrected the Korean brand in demanding Western European markets. The price is affordable, the base of the car is good, only some details still need to be completed. IN -
we are sure of it – they already work a lot in Germany and Korea.
Alyosha Mrak
Photo: Aleš Pavletič, Saša Kapetanovič.
Kia Rio 1.4 EX Life
Basic data
| Sales: | KMAG dd |
|---|---|
| Base model price: | 10.264,98 € |
| Test model cost: | 10.515,36 € |
| Calculate the cost of auto insurance | |
| Power: | 71kW (97 KM) |
| Acceleration (0-100 km / h): | 12,4 with |
| Maximum speed: | 177 km / h |
| Mixed flow ECE: | 6,2l / 100km |
Technical information
| engine: | 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - petrol - displacement 1399 cm3 - maximum power 71 kW (97 hp) at 6000 rpm - maximum torque 128 Nm at 4700 rpm. |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | front wheel drive engine - 5-speed manual transmission - tires 175/70 R14 (Hankook Centrum K702). |
| Capacity: | top speed 177 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h in 12,4 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 8,0 / 5,2 / 6,2 l / 100 km. |
| Transportation and suspension: | limousine - 5 doors, 5 seats - self-supporting body - front triangular wishbones, suspension struts, gas shock absorbers, stabilizer - rear axle shaft, screw springs, gas shock absorbers - front disc brakes (forced cooling), rear disc brakes, ABS - round wheel 9,84, 45, XNUMX m – XNUMX l fuel tank. |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 1154 kg - permissible gross weight 1580 kg. |
| Box: | Trunk volume measured using AM standard set of 5 Samsonite suitcases (total volume 278,5 L): 1 backpack (20 L); 1 x aviation suitcase (36 l); 1 suitcase (68,5) |
Our measurements
| T = 14 ° C / p = 1009 mbar / rel. Owner: 51% / Tires: Hankook Centrum K702 / Meter reading: 13446 km | |
| Acceleration 0-100km: | 12,4s |
|---|---|
| 402m from the city: | 18,4 years ( 122 km / h) |
| 1000m from the city: | 33,9 years ( 153 km / h) |
| Flexibility 50-90km / h: | 13,7s |
| Flexibility 80-120km / h: | 21,3s |
| Maximum speed: | 177km / h (V) |
| Minimum consumption: | 8,0l / 100km |
| Maximum consumption: | 9,2l / 100km |
| test consumption: | 8,6 l / 100km |
| Braking distance at 100 km / h: | 41,2m |
| AM table: | 42m |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 3rd gear | 58dB |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 4rd gear | 57dB |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 5rd gear | 56dB |
| Noise at 90 km / h in 3rd gear | 64dB |
| Noise at 90 km / h in 4rd gear | 62dB |
| Noise at 90 km / h in 5rd gear | 61dB |
| Noise at 130 km / h in 3rd gear | -dB |
| Noise at 130 km / h in 4rd gear | 68dB |
| Noise at 130 km / h in 5rd gear | 67dB |
| Test errors: | unmistakable |
Overall rating (247/420)
If we said that there is only a good trade-off between price, equipment and space, we would only partially cover everything. It has a good gearbox, a sharp engine and a comfortable chassis, so we can't blame the ease of use. With the best tires, it's more than a solid car.
Exterior (10/15)
Kia is making more and more attractive cars, although its European competitors are bolder.
Interior (96/140)
Relatively a lot of space and equipment, only for ergonomics I would like a button elsewhere.
Engine, transmission (23
/ 40)Good engine, smooth transmission transitions between gears. You just need to heat it up ...
Driving performance (42
/ 95)Indirect steering and soft chassis, position on the road was (mainly) due to inappropriate tires.
Performance (18/35)
Decent acceleration and top speed, only a too short fifth gear hinders a little.
Security (30/45)
Good braking distance, two airbags and ABS. He scored four stars on EuroNCAP.
Economy
Low retail price, but worse in terms of fuel consumption and loss of value than used.
We praise and reproach
price
comfort with a quiet ride
warehouses
fuel consumption
position on the road
air conditioner operation
noise at 130 km / h
