Kia Rio 1.4 (A) Review
28 Apr 2010|22,401 views
When I was a fresh-faced greenhorn in this industry, someone once gave me a rather useful free tip (as he likes to call it). Never follow in Jeremy Clarkson's footsteps and write reviews that are unnecessarily harsh. Let's face it, even the budget cars of today are way better than what we had a decade or so ago.
I have no idea what Jeremy Clarkson is on about sometimes. Personally, I think he really misses the point on budget cars. When someone is looking at budget cars, it's quite obvious that they're on a…er…budget (pardon the pun). Which means an immaculately designed interior isn't a priority. Sure, if the car is able to offer continental interior excellence for below $40,000, I think it'll be a car of the year in no time.
Unfortunately though, most budget cars don't possess the build quality of the higher end ones nor do they offer the same driving excellence and comfort. Those that do are few and far between. Then again to be honest, if you go shopping for budget cars with a mindset like that, I think it's time you had a reality check. Like Jeremy for example.
To be honest though, even the most affordable cars you find on our sgCarMart directory today aren't that bad. It still possesses four wheels, a capable engine that provides good mileage, airbags for safety and aircon as standard. What more could you reasonably ask for?
I have no idea what Jeremy Clarkson is on about sometimes. Personally, I think he really misses the point on budget cars. When someone is looking at budget cars, it's quite obvious that they're on a…er…budget (pardon the pun). Which means an immaculately designed interior isn't a priority. Sure, if the car is able to offer continental interior excellence for below $40,000, I think it'll be a car of the year in no time.
Unfortunately though, most budget cars don't possess the build quality of the higher end ones nor do they offer the same driving excellence and comfort. Those that do are few and far between. Then again to be honest, if you go shopping for budget cars with a mindset like that, I think it's time you had a reality check. Like Jeremy for example.
To be honest though, even the most affordable cars you find on our sgCarMart directory today aren't that bad. It still possesses four wheels, a capable engine that provides good mileage, airbags for safety and aircon as standard. What more could you reasonably ask for?
 |
Sure, you'll suffer the usual stabs of humour from friends and colleagues when they see your 1.8m frame unfold from a little Picanto. But you'll have the last laugh when you're not the one squeezed into the train like a sardine at the end of the day. Then again I think even sardines have more wriggle room than commuters during peak periods.
Exterior
The latest Rio still maintains its compact dimensions but has been given a fresh new face. It joins other models from the Kia line-up that've been administered with their fresh new design language.
The most notable design change is the addition of the Schreyer grille (named after designer Peter Schreyer). The new front fascia gives the Rio a rather distinct look.
 |
Combined with the black bezel headlamps, the new Rio gives me the impression of an ancient Roman Centurion helmet. In other words, it looks purposeful. Lower down a grilled intake and splitter make up the space between the fog lamps. Around the rear, there has been little change besides the exclusion of the grey coloured plastic accents.
On a whole, despite the facelift, the car's design still doesn't match up to the Koup and Cerato in terms of visual drama.
Interior
Settling into the driver's seat, you immediately notice the lack of back support from the fabric wrapped seats. After making the proper adjustments, I still found the steering wheel too far from me. Perhaps it might be due to my longer lower limps but a reach and rake adjustable steering would've been great.
On a whole, despite the facelift, the car's design still doesn't match up to the Koup and Cerato in terms of visual drama.
Interior
Settling into the driver's seat, you immediately notice the lack of back support from the fabric wrapped seats. After making the proper adjustments, I still found the steering wheel too far from me. Perhaps it might be due to my longer lower limps but a reach and rake adjustable steering would've been great.
The dashboard design though is rather interesting with several curves integrated into it. Forming graceful lines that are visually pleasing. For audio pleasure, Kia has provided a simple Kenwood head unit that provides ample listening pleasure. Lower down the console and hidden in a curved bulge are the interior climate controls.
Rear seats in the Rio provide adequate seating for three full sized adults. Though I would only recommend seating two adults in the rear for long journeys. Legroom isn't too bad although I would personally prefer having another inch or two of breathing space.
Bootspace in the Rio is adequate for a hatch but additional space can be easily had by knocking the rear seats down.
Rear seats in the Rio provide adequate seating for three full sized adults. Though I would only recommend seating two adults in the rear for long journeys. Legroom isn't too bad although I would personally prefer having another inch or two of breathing space.
Bootspace in the Rio is adequate for a hatch but additional space can be easily had by knocking the rear seats down.
 |
Driving it
Upon acceleration, the engine noise gets intrusive as the autobox refuses to shift up before reaching the redline in the first two gears. Despite having just a driver and passenger onboard, the car still struggled to get up to speed on the expressways.
Though once up to speed, the ride in the Rio isn't too bad. Managing to iron out most of the expressway undulations without too much trouble. On the smaller roads however the damping did feel firm occasionally when the roads got bumpy.
Upon acceleration, the engine noise gets intrusive as the autobox refuses to shift up before reaching the redline in the first two gears. Despite having just a driver and passenger onboard, the car still struggled to get up to speed on the expressways.
Though once up to speed, the ride in the Rio isn't too bad. Managing to iron out most of the expressway undulations without too much trouble. On the smaller roads however the damping did feel firm occasionally when the roads got bumpy.
Conclusion
Budget cars have come a long way. The Kia Rio doesn't do everything well, but it does do everything you expect of a car. It gets you to your destination in relative safety and comfort. On top of that, it gets you there cheap as well.
It may be underpowered but it all makes sense when you take a look at the official consumption figures. At 14.7km/L, the little 1.4-litre does a good job of going the distance without hurting your pockets too much.
If you're looking for a car that does it all, the Kia Rio hatchback deserves some consideration.
Budget cars have come a long way. The Kia Rio doesn't do everything well, but it does do everything you expect of a car. It gets you to your destination in relative safety and comfort. On top of that, it gets you there cheap as well.
It may be underpowered but it all makes sense when you take a look at the official consumption figures. At 14.7km/L, the little 1.4-litre does a good job of going the distance without hurting your pockets too much.
If you're looking for a car that does it all, the Kia Rio hatchback deserves some consideration.
When I was a fresh-faced greenhorn in this industry, someone once gave me a rather useful free tip (as he likes to call it). Never follow in Jeremy Clarkson's footsteps and write reviews that are unnecessarily harsh. Let's face it, even the budget cars of today are way better than what we had a decade or so ago.
I have no idea what Jeremy Clarkson is on about sometimes. Personally, I think he really misses the point on budget cars. When someone is looking at budget cars, it's quite obvious that they're on a…er…budget (pardon the pun). Which means an immaculately designed interior isn't a priority. Sure, if the car is able to offer continental interior excellence for below $40,000, I think it'll be a car of the year in no time.
Unfortunately though, most budget cars don't possess the build quality of the higher end ones nor do they offer the same driving excellence and comfort. Those that do are few and far between. Then again to be honest, if you go shopping for budget cars with a mindset like that, I think it's time you had a reality check. Like Jeremy for example.
To be honest though, even the most affordable cars you find on our sgCarMart directory today aren't that bad. It still possesses four wheels, a capable engine that provides good mileage, airbags for safety and aircon as standard. What more could you reasonably ask for?
I have no idea what Jeremy Clarkson is on about sometimes. Personally, I think he really misses the point on budget cars. When someone is looking at budget cars, it's quite obvious that they're on a…er…budget (pardon the pun). Which means an immaculately designed interior isn't a priority. Sure, if the car is able to offer continental interior excellence for below $40,000, I think it'll be a car of the year in no time.
Unfortunately though, most budget cars don't possess the build quality of the higher end ones nor do they offer the same driving excellence and comfort. Those that do are few and far between. Then again to be honest, if you go shopping for budget cars with a mindset like that, I think it's time you had a reality check. Like Jeremy for example.
To be honest though, even the most affordable cars you find on our sgCarMart directory today aren't that bad. It still possesses four wheels, a capable engine that provides good mileage, airbags for safety and aircon as standard. What more could you reasonably ask for?
|
Sure, you'll suffer the usual stabs of humour from friends and colleagues when they see your 1.8m frame unfold from a little Picanto. But you'll have the last laugh when you're not the one squeezed into the train like a sardine at the end of the day. Then again I think even sardines have more wriggle room than commuters during peak periods.
Exterior
The latest Rio still maintains its compact dimensions but has been given a fresh new face. It joins other models from the Kia line-up that've been administered with their fresh new design language.
The most notable design change is the addition of the Schreyer grille (named after designer Peter Schreyer). The new front fascia gives the Rio a rather distinct look.
|
Combined with the black bezel headlamps, the new Rio gives me the impression of an ancient Roman Centurion helmet. In other words, it looks purposeful. Lower down a grilled intake and splitter make up the space between the fog lamps. Around the rear, there has been little change besides the exclusion of the grey coloured plastic accents.
On a whole, despite the facelift, the car's design still doesn't match up to the Koup and Cerato in terms of visual drama.
Interior
Settling into the driver's seat, you immediately notice the lack of back support from the fabric wrapped seats. After making the proper adjustments, I still found the steering wheel too far from me. Perhaps it might be due to my longer lower limps but a reach and rake adjustable steering would've been great.
On a whole, despite the facelift, the car's design still doesn't match up to the Koup and Cerato in terms of visual drama.
Interior
Settling into the driver's seat, you immediately notice the lack of back support from the fabric wrapped seats. After making the proper adjustments, I still found the steering wheel too far from me. Perhaps it might be due to my longer lower limps but a reach and rake adjustable steering would've been great.
The dashboard design though is rather interesting with several curves integrated into it. Forming graceful lines that are visually pleasing. For audio pleasure, Kia has provided a simple Kenwood head unit that provides ample listening pleasure. Lower down the console and hidden in a curved bulge are the interior climate controls.
Rear seats in the Rio provide adequate seating for three full sized adults. Though I would only recommend seating two adults in the rear for long journeys. Legroom isn't too bad although I would personally prefer having another inch or two of breathing space.
Bootspace in the Rio is adequate for a hatch but additional space can be easily had by knocking the rear seats down.
Rear seats in the Rio provide adequate seating for three full sized adults. Though I would only recommend seating two adults in the rear for long journeys. Legroom isn't too bad although I would personally prefer having another inch or two of breathing space.
Bootspace in the Rio is adequate for a hatch but additional space can be easily had by knocking the rear seats down.
|
Driving it
Upon acceleration, the engine noise gets intrusive as the autobox refuses to shift up before reaching the redline in the first two gears. Despite having just a driver and passenger onboard, the car still struggled to get up to speed on the expressways.
Though once up to speed, the ride in the Rio isn't too bad. Managing to iron out most of the expressway undulations without too much trouble. On the smaller roads however the damping did feel firm occasionally when the roads got bumpy.
Upon acceleration, the engine noise gets intrusive as the autobox refuses to shift up before reaching the redline in the first two gears. Despite having just a driver and passenger onboard, the car still struggled to get up to speed on the expressways.
Though once up to speed, the ride in the Rio isn't too bad. Managing to iron out most of the expressway undulations without too much trouble. On the smaller roads however the damping did feel firm occasionally when the roads got bumpy.
Conclusion
Budget cars have come a long way. The Kia Rio doesn't do everything well, but it does do everything you expect of a car. It gets you to your destination in relative safety and comfort. On top of that, it gets you there cheap as well.
It may be underpowered but it all makes sense when you take a look at the official consumption figures. At 14.7km/L, the little 1.4-litre does a good job of going the distance without hurting your pockets too much.
If you're looking for a car that does it all, the Kia Rio hatchback deserves some consideration.
Budget cars have come a long way. The Kia Rio doesn't do everything well, but it does do everything you expect of a car. It gets you to your destination in relative safety and comfort. On top of that, it gets you there cheap as well.
It may be underpowered but it all makes sense when you take a look at the official consumption figures. At 14.7km/L, the little 1.4-litre does a good job of going the distance without hurting your pockets too much.
If you're looking for a car that does it all, the Kia Rio hatchback deserves some consideration.
Photos by Benjamin G, Kline
Car Information
Kia Rio Hatchback 1.4 (A)
CAT A|Petrol|14.7km/L
Horsepower
70kW (94 bhp)
Torque
125 Nm
Acceleration
14.5sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Kia Rio Hatchback
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