Some seemingly released vehicles without large fanfare end up relatively precise. The all new Kia Rio is just this kind of car.
Now in its fourth era, the Rio has the unenviable project of combating in a place dominated by using Britain's fine-promoting automobile for 8 years - Ford Fiesta.
Add to this the famous Corsa de Vauxhall, the new Citroën C3, as well as others, consisting of Volkswagen Polo, SEAT Ibiza, Hyundai i20, Skoda Fabia and Audi A1, and it's miles clear that to live on, A USP.
The modern-day Rio can also nonetheless be lower back on its seven-12 months / one hundred,000-mile assurance (the primary contingency), that is transferable if the car is sold earlier than the expiry of the time / mileage restrict.
However, the best news is that it is also a good vehicle in its personal proper, the extra it has a competitive charge and has some surprises at its sleeve.
First, allow's positioned the Rio into context. In the UK, it's miles overshadowed by way of the a hit variety of Sportage and cee, however Rio is truely Kia's fine-selling car within the international with sales of some 475,000 per yr, Sixth of the agency's income.
At first glance, Rio, most effective to be had in five doorways, does now not look any different from the outgoing vehicle. Look harder and you may see that the lovable curves of the preceding era have been replaced via sharper traces and smoother surfaces. There is likewise a longer wheelbase and an extended hat, a lower roofline, a narrower rear give up, and Kia's "tiger-nose" the front grille is further emphasised.
There are also a large wide variety of kits to be had - crucially within the discipline of protection. Kia says that Rio is the first vehicle in its class to offer Autonomous Emergency Brakes with Pedestrian Recognition, which makes use of a radar and camera to come across sudden and doubtlessly risky braking via a vehicle forward and turns on the brakes.
At speeds among five and 50 mph, it's going to stop completely, fending off many potential collisions. It is also able to detecting pedestrians wandering on its way and making use of the brakes inside the identical way.
The fact that this security era is available throughout the variety is first rate information. One day, all vehicles may have the AEB as wellknown.
For now, Kia gives it as an option at the entry-level car, however preferred within the relaxation of the variety, that is higher than not anything but a missed possibility though.
A Lane Departure caution system is also available. It is based totally on a camera that reads the marking and the guidelines of the tracks while the auto is ready to move without the signs being activated and warns the driver to take corrective action.
From just £ 11.995, there are 10 variations of Rio in three years of border - badged 1, 2 and three, plus a constrained edition first edition model, priced at £ 17,445.
The Level 1 specification includes air con, far flung relevant locking, Bluetooth cellphone connectivity and steering wheel-mounted controls for the stereo gadget.
The improve to two specifications provides a five-inch contact screen infotainment device with DAB radio, alloy wheels, leather trim for guidance wheel and shift lever, electric folding mirrors, velocity control, Recoil and emergency braking.
Go for three and the wheels boom in length from 15 to sixteen inches, there may be a 7-inch touch screen with sat-nav, complete connectivity of the cellphone (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), climate manipulate and Faux leather-based (heated ahead).
The first edition adds 17-inch alloys, a keyless entry and the more effective 1.0-liter fuel engine with a six-pace gearbox.
In terms of engines, the selection of the new Rio variety is a 1.Zero-liter three-cylinder petrol turbo available in two tuning states: 99bhp and 118bhp.
Kia rates sixty eight.2mpg for the 99bhp unit, with 102g / km CO2, while the 118bhp engine is able to 60.1mpg, emitting a CO2 of 107g / km.
Two other oils will be supplied: MPI gadgets at 1.25 (83bhp) and 1.4 liters (99bhp) certainly aspirated - the primary is good for fifty eight.8mpg and 109g / km of CO2, while the 1.4 liter offers fifty six.5mpg and 114g / Km with a guide transmission.
Finally, in case you are after a diesel, a 1.4-liter unit is available with 76bhp or 89bhp. These are able to 80.7mpg and 92g / km of CO2 and 74.3mpg and 98g / km CO2 respectively.
For brought peace of mind, the Rio is also available with the Care three and Care three Plus transferable preservation applications, masking the cost of all ordinary maintenance paintings for 3 to 5 years.
See wherein I'm going - the Kia Rio is a superb package deal, but here's the subject ... It drives as nicely.
We have driven both versions of the 1.Zero-liter 3-cylinder petrol engine plus the greater effective 89 bhp 1.4-liter diesel diesel.
The three pots are tremendously speedy, honestly exceeding their weight. Yes, you're aware about the lifting of the stress on a robust acceleration, but they relax right away. The diesel glaringly gives greater grunt, however it is nevertheless delicate like every diesel in a small car and doubtlessly very frugal.
The excursion of Rio is average, but certainly now not terrible, at the same time as it is doing so very well. Yes, there's frame leaning in the corners if you are on a undertaking, but in the long run it is a vehicle in an effort to be pushed from A to B quite gently and it isn't always a hot hatch, is that important? The visibility is good, even as the steerage is mild, making parking and maneuvers tight.
Inside the cabin, it is quite high-quality with plenty of area, secure seating and sufficient area within the again for adults in full length, that's pretty wonderful for a supermini. Yes, it does now not put off the tender plastics, however it is well prepare all of the identical. The beginning space has elevated by way of almost 13% compared to the generous 325-liter generating model, despite the fact that there is a high load lip and the rear deploys absolutely folded
The instrumentation is clear in the front of the motive force, while the "floating" 7 "contact screen within the center console is splendid. Unfortunately, it is to be had most effective in specification 'three' - '1' and '2' need to do with screens of 3.Five and five inches respectively.
Verdict: The new Kia Rio isn't always the excellent vehicle in its magnificence, but it performs nicely in some key regions, including safety, comfort, system, engine choice and peace of mind, Making it an superb trendy bundle.
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