The petrol engine is one of those that needs to be really revved to do its best work. You don’t get into a Kia Rio expecting your socks to be blown off by the performance, but downsized turbo engines with plenty of low-end torque are now commonplace in the segment and able to give even most the humdrum of models a degree of spirited performance.
So the absence of one here is noticed. Kia is listening, though, and the firm’s recently revealed 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol turbo engine should make its way into the Rio over time.
Back to 2015 though, and while the 1.4 petrol unit here may lack spirited performance, it does at least return some decent economy figures. Something approaching 50mpg can be achieved on an average run, which is unusually close to the official figure of 56.5mpg - and that's something that can’t usually be said of a modern downsized turbo engine.
Kia’s 1.4 is also a quiet and refined unit and one that’s hooked up to a sweet-shifting six-speed manual gearbox.
Equally sweet is the ride quality of this car. It lacks the suppleness and maturity of the class's best, such as the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo, but the Rio has a comfortable ride quality, and that’s going to be a big box ticked for potential Rio buyers.
The chassis tuning has been done with ride comfort in mind, then, but the Rio is still more than respectable when it comes to handling. Body control is particularly impressive, and the Rio turns in keenly enough. It’s never engaging – the overly light feel to the steering also helps see to that – but it's competent enough.
Other boxes the Rio ticks include a comfortable driving position, good visibility and well-matched control weights, again all things a good supermini should offer.
We knew a lot of that from the Rio before its facelift, though, so of more note are the interior improvements. It’s been a while since I sat in a Rio, but was impressed with the cabin’s general look, feel and overall perceived quality, particularly of the materials used in the key areas you’ll be interacting with.
However, the small, somewhat old-fashioned display screen in the centre console lets things down a bit, while the more tucked-away materials lack the classy finish of those you'll find in a Polo.
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Looks
Needs peppier engines and possibly a warm version or some sporty styling options a la Fabia Monte Carlo.
Marv wrote:
What it needs is more torque because, like so many modern cars, it is fat and overweight.
The 6th-gear
Reviewers often criticise this NA engine and it does need a little bit more work than say Ford's 1L Ecoboost but aligned with the six gears it makes a much better motorway cruiser and during a test drive that I did with/for my partner a year ago I also averaged very close to the claimed MPG during the test drive.
However Fiesta does have a better steering, better known brand, better finance package and heftier discounts while Volkswagen Group multiple offerings have better reviews if not much else going for them!
fadyady wrote: Just out of
This is a bit of a bugbear of mine. I know its in a completely different category, but MINI have for a long time fitted the same 6-speed manual transmission as standard, even if you were buying the bottom of the range First model, whereas rivals such as Citroen and Audi would only give you a 6-speed when you went further up the range. When its your only vehicle you want something thats good on the motorway too.
fadyady wrote: Just out of
Does your hate for VAG products lies with fact you can only afford a Kia? Perhaps they have better reviews because they make a better product - the amount of vehicles sold says it all. And your mentioned test drive sounds really exciting, nearly hitting Kia's MPG claims.
Re: robhardyuk
I do not own a Kia but I did test drove the Rio with this 1.4L unit as a second car for my partner a year ago. I test drove a VW Group car as well but did not find it half as good as the raving reviews it gets. Hence my VW/review comment. Didn't mean to tick you off. Sorry.