Kia Rio

KIA’S RIO GETS MORE SPACE, STYLE AND INCREASED COMFORT

The Kia Rio supermini has been rejuvenated in fourth generation form. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

The MK4 model Kia Rio now looks an even better alternative to the Corsas and Fiestas of this world, with a more spacious cabin, impressive connectivity and a clever downsized turbo petrol engine option. Prices are keen and the seven-year warranty speaks for itself.

Background

For buyers, the supermini category has never been more important. Why? Because modern examples of the breed are now for the first time large enough to function as complete family cars. Take, for example, the model we're looking at here, Kia's fourth generation Rio. It's as big as a turn of the century Astra or Focus from the Family Hatchback segment, the next pricier class up. More importantly, it's the first really top class supermini the Korean brand has ever bought us.

It's a progression that anyone familiar with Kia will have been expecting. The first two generations of Rio were quite embarrassing but the MK3 model of 2011 was pretty class-competitive. When the wraps came off this fourth generation version in the autumn of 2016 though, it was clear that it was going to be a bit more than that. Here's a car that targets nothing less than the top of the segment in terms of the things that really matter to supermini buyers - styling, running costs and everyday practicality. How close it gets is what we're here to find out.

Driving Experience

Kia is well aware that driving dynamics weren't a strong selling point of the previous third generation Rio, hence the efforts put in to making this MK4 model more agile and interesting to drive. The stiffer bodyshell should help here and it also allowed the development team to introduce a more compliant suspension system. This Rio benefits from a revised spring and damper set-up than the old model, improving the car's compliance and comfort at all speeds, while supposedly facilitating more enjoyable, engaging handling characteristics.

The previous generation Rio model didn't advance existing engine technology too much, so it's good to see that Kia has made a bit more effort on this front this time round. Key to the line-up is the down-sized three cylinder 1.0-litre T-GDI petrol unit we first saw on the facelifted MK2 model cee'd family hatch, offered here - as there - with either 99 or 118bhp power outputs, in both cases accompanied by 172Nm of torque. The lightweight nature of this T-GDI powerplant should benefit the Rio's front-end handling, with less mass and inertia for the car to work against under cornering. Less sophisticated are the 83bhp 1.25 and 98bhp 1.4-litre MPI petrol units, a comment also applicable to the 1.4-litre diesel engine, which produces 89bhp. All engines apply power to the front wheels. There's a five-speed manual transmission for the base 1.25-litre petrol unit and the 99bhp 1.0-litre T-GDI powerplant. Otherwise, your Rio will come with a six-speed manual 'box. There's a 4-speed auto option on the petrol 1.4.

Design and Build

This fourth generation Rio certainly looks more distinctive, the front end characterised by the latest evolution of Kia's 'tiger-nose' grille, now thinner in height and wider across the front of the car, with a gloss black grille cover. The grille is integrated with the newly-designed bi-function headlights, more sculpted for a sharper look, and featuring a new U-shaped LED daytime running light signature. In profile, the lengthened, more balanced stance is achieved with a long bonnet and longer front overhang.

Inside, the restyled cabin feels more up-market, helped by gloss black trim that lines the central section of a dashboard now more angled towards the driver. At the centre of the fascia is a high-resolution touchscreen. Below, the driver-oriented centre console features fewer buttons, with more ergonomic, concave switches and rotator dials below to control the heating and ventilation. Thanks to 10mm of extra wheelbase, there's much more space to spread out inside - and more bootspace too.

Market and Model

Rio pricing hasn't changed too much, so as before, this car sits in the £12,000 to £18,000 bracket. That might sound a lot but most variants will be sold in the £14,000 to £16,000 bracket, which makes this one of the more affordable Fiesta-sized superminis out there. As before, the sales focus for the UK will be on the five-door bodystyle.

As before, equipment levels are strong. More affordable models get a 'floating' 5.0-inch touchscreen audio system with six speakers. Buyers can also specify a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment and navigation system, with Kia Connected Services powered by TomTom, as well as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for full smartphone integration. This Rio will be the first car in the B-segment to be equipped with USB ports in both the front and rear of the cabin, enabling users to physically connect a mobile device to the infotainment system and recharge batteries on the move.

Cost of Ownership

The 1.0 T-GDI petrol engines should certainly prove to be very frugal. The 99bhp version manages 62.8mpg on the combined cycle and 102g/km of CO2, while the 118bhp version of this unit manages 60.1mpg and 107g/km. The 1.4 CRDi diesel manages 74.3mpg and 98g/km. All variants get an Idle Stop & Go (ISG) system that cuts the engine when you don't need it, stuck at the lights or waiting in traffic.

As with all Kias, the Rio is covered by a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty that's longer than any other car in the same class. Servicing should be affordable and the various pre-paid servicing packages you can buy will further help manage costs in this regard, with 'Care-3' or 'Care-3 Plus' packages offering retail customers fixed-cost, inflation-proof servicing for either three or five years. Should you sell the car in this period, the remaining scheduled maintenance allocation can be passed on to the next owner.

Summary

This then, is a car that has come of age. No longer is it a supermini you'd recommend largely because of generous equipment or a modest asking price. So if you're thinking of buying in this segment, then you probably won't be considering this car as an option. But take it from us, you probably should be.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Kia Rio range

PRICES: £10,505 - £17,715

INSURANCE GROUP: 1-7

CO2 EMISSIONS: 92-147g/km

PERFORMANCE: [1.25 petrol] 0-62mph 12.5 / top speed 107 mph

FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.0 diesel ISG] (combined) 62.8 mpg

STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: six airbags, stability control, ABS brakes

WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height mm 4045/1720/1455