Australian New Car Buyer – June 2019

80 | AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR & SUV BUYER’S GUIDE

K

ia is a brand heading in
the right direction, due to
ever-improving products and
that hard-to-resist seven years/
unlimited kilometres warranty.
Its fourth-generation Rio fi ve-
door hatchback faces strong
competition, though. It has some
impressively solid credentials,
but also some less-than-
impressive failings.
While the industry-best warranty
brings an uncommon reassurance
to the ownership experience,
other obvious attractions include
a pleasant, European-infl uenced
design of the exterior and cabin.
Ignore the grille and it could be
mistaken for a baby Audi. Fit and
fi nish matches many Japanese and
European rivals.
Now sold only as a fi ve-door
hatch, the latest Rio has matured
somewhat. It’s more spacious
and has the gender-neutral,
non-polarising looks and latest in
infotainment technology to attract
a younger buyer demographic.
The 1.4-litre four-cylinder
twin-cam ekes out just 73kW
of power and 133Nm of torque.
It is no rocket, especially when

combined with a four-speed

auto; most rivals have more

responsive, effi cient six-speed or

CVT transmissions.

The range opens with the six-

speed manual base S, priced

at $16,990 plus on-road costs;

the four-speed auto is $17,490

drive away. Sport specifi cation

costs $17,790 with the manual

and $20,090 with a six-speed

automatic.

You’ll fi nd sharp drive away no

more to pay deals on Rio and its

main rivals, such as the Hyundai

Accent, Honda Jazz, Mazda2

and Toyota Yaris, from as low as

$15,990 with a

manual transmission.

Rio GT Line, with an

88kW/172Nm 1.0-litre turbo triple,

matched with a seven-speed dual-

clutch automatic, is $23,090.

The little Kia is well equipped.

Even the base model gets an

excellent, easy-to-use, colour

7.0-inch touchscreen with a

reversing camera, digital radio,

MP3-compatible music sourcing

and smartphone (Apple and

Android) mirroring. There’s also

two 12V power outlets in the

console and USB sockets for

front and rear passengers.

Sport adds 17-inch alloys and

cruise control.

There is clever use of space

with excellent storage within the

double-tier console, centre sliding-

lid bin, twin cup holders and door

holders for four bottles. A versatile

60/40 rear seat back arrangement

can increase cargo space from

an already handy 325 litres to 980

litres. A temporary steel spare is

under the fl oor.

Dark, Euro-look trims are a Kia

signature. The base S tested here

has quality embroidered seat

trims and the supportive driver’s

pew gets six-way adjustability.

Shoulder and head room is

comfortable in the rear, but knee

room is tight for adults.

Less convincing though is the

1.4-litre engine/four-speed auto

combination, which lets down

an otherwise fi ne and well-

engineered little car. The engine

and auto work OK on level

ground but lose enthusiasm on

hills or when you put your foot

down, reacting not with urge

but with a noticeable roar as the

revs mount and the auto lunges

for a lower gear. Fuel effi ciency

isn’t great, either.

Tuned locally for the sporty

feel favoured by Australian

drivers, Kia’s boffi ns have struck

an admirable balance between

good road manners and a fi rm

yet compliant ride, even on less-

than-perfect road surfaces. The

steering, too, is a pleasant surprise

with its consistent road feel and

sensible level of power assistance

at town and country speeds.

An underdone drivetrain and

overambitious pricing are the

Rio’s weaknesses. However,

its many strengths, including

warranty, connectivity and safety,

may persuade buyers to consider

it. Sharp drive away deals are

another reason.

By Peter McKay

THINGS WE LIKE

 Styling inside and out has Euro

fl avour

 Unmatched seven-year warranty

 Well-sorted ride, handling and

steering

 Generous array of useful features

 Solid and well built

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE

1.4-litre is slow and gutless

Doesn’t work with a four-speed auto

Overpriced against competition

Real-world fuel economy isn’t great

SPEX (S)

Made in South Korea

1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol/four-

speed automatic/front-wheel drive

73kW of power at 6000rpm/133Nm

of torque from 4000rpm

0–100km/h in 13.9 seconds

(claimed)

5.0L/100km highway; 8.2L/100km

city; 91 octane; CO 2 emissions are

145g/km

Warranty: Seven years/unlimited

kilometres

Standard: Six airbags, stability

control, cruise control, hill-start

assist, LED daytime lights, 15-inch

alloys, 7-inch touchscreen audio

with Bluetooth, navigation, Apple

CarPlay and Android Auto, USB

and 12V outlets front and rear,

automatic headlights, camera,

rear parking sensors, electric and

folding heated outside mirrors.

Redbook future values: 3yr: 45%;

5yr: 34%

Safety

Performance

Handling

Quality and reliability

Comfort and refi nement

Value for money

Overall

STARS

compare with ...

Honda Jazz, Hyundai Accent,

Mazda2, Skoda Fabia, Toyota

Yaris, VW Polo