Test: KIA Rio 1.2 CVVT EX Urban

Kia obviously knows. Under the watchful eye of German signer Peter Schreier, and the tactics of part-owner Hyundai, they have recently created very attractive vehicles that are of sufficient quality and well-equipped to keep the customer list growing every year. But he is worried about the pricing policy, which has not changed since the hesitant first steps in European markets with almost completely uninteresting cars. Admittedly, buyers don't mind if low prices and discounts are advertised, but with a policy like this, you can hardly convince potential stakeholders that cars are now good enough to merit another look, more serious consideration. There is always a feeling that this is a sale, and this is bad for the products.

And there is nothing in the product. Well, almost nothing, nothing important to say. And at the same time, in the same breath, we add that there is nothing special about this either, at least in a technical sense. Gray mouse? No, more of a dependable companion that you admire more for its durability and ease of handling than for driving pleasure or love at first sight. In short, there is no Alpha in form or BMW in technology. Appearance - this, apart from a rather attractive price, is the main advantage of this car, because it is harmonious, beautiful, in fact, in such a bright color it is very pleasant. With the exception of light wheels, it does not spoil the exterior with equipment, perhaps drivers in the Auto store would also think about parking sensors so that the bumpers remain intact even in the crowded city center. Of the five accessories offered by this base engine, the EX Urban is second in prestige behind only the EX Style. However, the richest equipment has everything that we really missed, such as the aforementioned parking sensors, even more attractive 16-inch wheels, LED daytime running lights and a speakerphone system. But the price of such a candy is already almost 12 thousand, this is a significant jump, but you can still call it a good deal.

Inside, everything is the same: a pleasant, sophisticated interior that pampers with ease of use rather than fashionable accessories. You see, there is no kitsch that designers like to express with the words “trendy” or “trendy”, and then you won’t understand if they even thought about usability. There were only two complaints about the design: the switches for controlling heating and cooling or interior ventilation are really ugly, although large and logically placed, and the plastic on the dashboard and doors is not the most prestigious. But in the long run, we would probably be raising our thumbs up just for this plastic, since it doesn't have any thicknesses of cracks or pesky crickets, which we hate in the car even more than at a picnic on the nearest lawn. It sits on average, and if I remember the sports seat in the Opel Corsa, it seems pretty pleasant to me. Maybe the three-door version that hit the market later is better? The Ice Age we (hopefully) spent in Slovenia also showed some shortcomings in soundproofing, as the noise from under the axle passed inward too many times. I was also a little surprised by the fact that such a weak engine requires such careful throttle and clutch release that you need to be on the lookout so that the car does not bounce and your passengers do not trample you. as a novice driver. In short, a little more throttle and a little slower with the clutch, although this slippage also means a few kilometers reduction in the life of the mechanical connection ... The instrument panel is transparent, the buttons (also) for the elderly in favor of the large On-board computer is simple and logical. Interestingly, there is plenty of room in the rear seats, which can be attributed to the wider wheelbase. With regard to safety equipment, we must commend both Kio and the Slovenian representative. Instead of electric booster with rear side windows or heated seats, they chose to offer more safety, namely the standard fit of four airbags, two curtain airbags and stable ESP in all versions, including the LX Cool, which they offer for only 9.690 euros (no additional discount!) ... If we can easily survive without the help of electricity, then in the event of a traffic accident it is difficult without active and passive safety accessories, so we once again praise our strategists for such a decision. The test model also had a radio with CD player and additional inputs for iPod, AUX and USB and automatic air conditioning, we only missed the already mentioned bluetooth and possibly cruise control.

Well, on the track, we definitely missed the sixth gear. Although the 1,25-liter engine (interestingly, it could be advertised separately due to its unusual volume, if you don’t remember Ford yet) is equipped with variable valve opening (CVVT) and lightweight construction (aluminum), it is 63 kilowatts or 85 The “horses” are weaker, so sixth gear will come in handy. The noise on the highway is already too much, as the revs rise above the 3.600 speed limit, which is neither pleasant nor environmentally friendly. Consumption was about 8,4 liters, which is not much of a concern in such Siberian temperatures, and we are convinced that under normal conditions with several longer distances it would have been at least one and a half liters lower. The steering system also proved to be quicker in corners, as was the chassis predictable, only the engine couldn't keep up with the driver's fast pace. We'd be lying if we said we didn't take advantage of the slippery surface on the first snow: it was nice and nothing stressful, because despite the slip with the stabilization system turned off, it was enough to stay on the road and not endanger other participants. road. And that we had fun, even though driving pleasure isn't exactly what Kie Rio 1.2 is based on, on which we could build a story.

It looks simple, but it is not. While the car is beautiful and affordable, it lacks the prestige of its more powerful and better equipped brethren. What if it's no longer prestige these days? Is a good foundation enough?

Text: Alyosha Mrak, photo: Aleš Pavletič

Kia Rio 1.2 CVVT EX Urban

Basic data

Sales:	KMAG dd
Base model price:	10.990 €
Test model cost:	11.380 €
Power:	63kW (85 KM)
Acceleration (0-100 km / h):	12,5 with
Maximum speed:	168 km / h
Mixed flow ECE:	8,4l / 100km
Guarantee:	General warranty 7 years or 150.000 3 km, mobile device warranty 5 years, varnish warranty 100.000 years or 7 XNUMX km, rust warranty XNUMX years.
Systematic review	15.000 km

Cost (up to 100.000 km or five years)

Regular services, works, materials:	1.215 €
Fuel:	11.861 €
Tires (1)	2.000 €
Loss of value (within 5 years):	6.956 €
Compulsory insurance:	3.115 €
CASCO INSURANCE (+ B, K), AO, AO +	2.040 (
Calculate the cost of auto insurance
Buy up	€ 27.187 0,27 (km cost: XNUMX €)

Technical information

engine:	4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - petrol - transversely mounted at the front - bore and stroke 71 × 78,8 mm - displacement 1.248 cm³ - compression ratio 10,5:1 - maximum power 63 kW (86 hp) ) at 6.000 rpm - average piston speed at maximum power 15,8 m / s - specific power 50,5 kW / l (68,7 hp / l) - maximum torque 121 Nm at 4.000 rpm - 2 camshafts in the head (toothed belt) - 4 valves per cylinder.
Energy transfer:	the engine drives the front wheels - 5-speed manual transmission - gear ratio I. 3,545; II. 1,895; III. 1,192; IV. 0,906; B. 0,719 - differential 4,600 - wheels 5,5 J × 15 - tires 185/65 R 15, rolling circle 1,87 m.
Capacity:	168 km/h top speed - 0-100 km/h acceleration in 13,1 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 6,0/4,3/5,0 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 114 g/km.
Transportation and suspension:	limousine - 5 doors, 5 seats - self-supporting body - front single suspension, spring legs, three-spoke wishbones, stabilizer - rear axle shaft, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer - front disc brakes (forced cooling), rear disc, ABS, mechanical parking brake on the rear wheels (lever between seats) - rack and pinion steering wheel, electric power steering, 2,75 turns between extreme points.
Mass:	empty vehicle 1.104 kg - permissible total weight 1.560 kg - permissible trailer weight with brake: 900 kg, without brake: 450 kg - permissible roof load: 70 kg.
External dimensions:	vehicle width 1.720 mm - vehicle width with mirrors 1.970 mm - front track 1.521 mm - rear 1.525 mm - driving radius 10,5 m.
Inner dimensions:	front width 1380 mm, rear 1.420 mm - front seat length 500 mm, rear seat 430 mm - steering wheel diameter 370 mm - fuel tank 43 l.
Box:	Floor space, measured from AM with standard kit 5 Samsonite cases (total 278,5 l): 5 places: 1 suitcase (36 l), 1 suitcases (68,5 l), 1 × backpack (20 l).
Standard equipment:	driver and front passenger airbags - side airbags - curtain airbags - ISOFIX mounts - ABS - ESP - power steering - air conditioning - front power windows - electrically adjustable rear-view mirrors - radio with CD player and MP3 player - remote central control locks - height - and depth-adjustable steering wheel - height-adjustable driver's seat - separate rear seat - on-board computer.

Our measurements

T = -6 ° C / p = 981 mbar / rel. vl. = 75% / Tires: Continental ContiWinterContact 185/65 / R 15 H / Mileage status: 8.100 km
Acceleration 0-100km:	12,5s
402m from the city:	18,5 years ( 120 km / h)
Flexibility 50-90km / h:	15,0s (IV.)
Flexibility 80-120km / h:	23,4s (V.)
Maximum speed:	168km / h (V.)
Minimum consumption:	8,1l / 100km
Maximum consumption:	8,9l / 100km
test consumption:	8,4 l / 100km
Braking distance at 130 km / h:	80,9m
Braking distance at 100 km / h:	44,5m
AM table:	42m
Noise at 50 km / h in 3rd gear	56dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 4rd gear	54dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 5rd gear	52dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 3rd gear	52dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 4rd gear	60dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 5rd gear	59dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 4rd gear	66dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 5rd gear	64dB
Idling noise:	38dB

Overall rating (296/420)

• Definitely an interesting car that impresses more with safety equipment than performance. The warranty is not as attractive as it might seem at first glance, as they often have a fuse within a few miles. Otherwise, praise for the spaciousness (in the rear seats) and in the trunk, and the too loud chassis made less of an impression on us.

• Exterior (14/15)

  A five-door vehicle with a dynamic design that also offers slightly more comfort when entering and exiting.

• Interior (89/140)

  Also useful for small families, transparent gauges, above average trunk, there should be less noise from under the chassis for more comfort.

• Engine, transmission (48
  
  
  / 40)

  Nice, but small engine, only a five-speed gearbox, steering system cannot compete with the Fiesta.

• Driving performance (53
  
  
  / 95)

  It will impress with a quiet ride, but for the more demanding, we recommend choosing a more powerful engine. Feel good when braking, directional stability is not difficult.

• Performance (15/35)

  The river slowly goes a long way is quite appropriate.

• Security (35/45)

  Satisfactory basic safety equipment, but many accessories are missing from the active safety system.

• Economy (42/50)

  In terms of consumption, the results are adequate for the Siberian winter, a good price, a guarantee above average.

We praise and reproach

appearance

workmanship

safety equipment

price

undemanding management

only five-speed gearbox

too loud chassis

driving position

heating, cooling and ventilation switches