Kia Rio under the microscope
A few years ago, when the Kia Rio came to my garage, a friend asked me, “Did you know that the abbreviation “Kia” means “buy another car.” I thought there was a lot of truth in this. I didn't like that car.
When I sat behind the wheel of the latest generation Rio, I was speechless with amazement. This is a completely different car. Compared to the Rio from a few years ago, this year's version is more aggressive looking, better finished, more comfortable and equipped with many more systems to make the driver's job easier.
I invite you to get acquainted with the brand new Kia Rio, in its fourth incarnation.
Modern exterior
This immediately catches the eye. Your friends too. The exterior of the new Rio looks really cool. Look at her low, forward-leaning silhouette. Take a look at its elongated headlights and integrated signature grille. Take a look at the rear with tall wheel arches, a sharp-angled rear window and taillights similar to those you usually see on much more expensive cars. Your Rio can be white, black, light silver, red, yellow, beige, brown, graphite, or two-tone blue. However, the strength of this car is not in its beauty, but in practicality.
Comfortable interior
When I first got behind the wheel of this car, I immediately drew attention to the pleasant to the touch plastic dashboard. The windshield moves back, and it seems much wider and more massive than it really is. The instrument cluster makes it easy to read all the necessary data. Red backlit watches do not tire the eyes and cheer up the driver after dark.
The owner of this car will not mind the location of the switches on the center console. They are also large enough that their operation does not cause any problems. The driver's seat is spacious, soft, well-shaped and with a wide range of adjustments. It can also be heated.
In the list of thoughtful things in the interior of Rio, I also brought the steering wheel. It is thick, fits well in the hands, is installed in two planes and ... heats up. This is an interesting distinguishing feature from similar models from other brands. Importantly, mothers traveling with children will find it easy to keep order in the interior of this car. In addition to the 15-litre glove box located on the dashboard, the driver and passengers also have at their disposal, among other things, 3 liters more storage space in the center console and pockets for 1,5-litre bottles on the front doors and half-litre bottles at the rear .
What about the place? I can assure you that none of the four adult passengers should feel cramped. No one will bang their head against the ceiling or, sitting in front of them, bang their knees on the dashboard. On board this model of Kia we will see a radio with RDS system and a CD and MP3 player equipped with an AUX socket, iPod and USB.
Uncompromising trunk
Do you sometimes carry more things, need space for large purchases, do you bring camping gear for the whole family? This Kia will not let you down in difficult times. The rear seatback is split 60/40, which increases luggage space and creates a nearly flat floor with additional storage space in the rear. Trunk volume is 288 liters with the backs up and more than 900 liters with the backs down. Such parameters make it possible to conveniently transport a travel crib for a child, several suitcases or equipment to camping.
Efficient engine
If you go to a Kia dealership to buy a new Rio, order the 109L 1.4hp petrol engine. Taki worked in the version available for testing. I assure you that you will have a fast (183 km / h) and frisky car (11,5 seconds to a steak).
However, I immediately warn you not to count on the average fuel consumption promised by the manufacturer at the level of 5,3 liters. When driving around 100 km/h on steep descents outside the city and in city traffic, my average result was in the region of 8 l/100 km. The gearbox that interacts with this drive is quite precise, and dynamic driving does not require frequent use of the joystick.
If you can only afford the cheapest version of the Rio, you will see 1.2 hp 85 petrol engines. It will accelerate your car a little less, but will pay off with less fuel consumption, about 5 liters for every 100 kilometers traveled.
good suspension
How the Korean masterpiece behaves on the road. Pits in the asphalt, high curbs. The Kia Rio will surely beat them effectively. Driving on dirt roads isn't a problem either. I noticed that the brakes work great. The steering wheel is light, so maneuvering the car in the urban jungle is a breeze. Rio rides confidently. He is stable and mobile. You can also go on a long journey with this car without any worries.
Rich equipment
When driving on slippery surfaces, you will be helped, among other things, by the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the distribution of forces during this maneuver (EBD), the stability control system (ESC) or the vehicle stability management system (VSM). There is even an ESS emergency stop system. It warns the rear drivers that the car is decelerating sharply. Sensors detect hard and hard braking and flash hazard lights three times to alert drivers behind.
When buying Rio, you can order wipers with a rain sensor and automatic window drying, parking sensors or an automatic accident recognition system that immediately notifies emergency services.
The cheapest five-door Kia Rio, that is, with a 1,2 petrol engine under the hood, can be bought for 39.490 zlotys. Considering the build quality, equipment and capabilities of this car, this is really not much.
Prices for the version with a larger and more powerful 1,4-liter gasoline engine start from 42.490 1.1 zlotys. Rio with diesel 75 with a power of 45.490 hp. costs from 7 zlotys, also cheap, right? But the “Korean” family has another argument that threatens competition. This is the only representative of class B small cars on the market that is covered by a full one-year warranty, which subsequent owners can also use.
