2012 Kia Rio Review
New 2012 Kia Rio
By Tim Saunders, 03rd January 2012
Value for money and good design don‘t often go together but the third generation Kia Rio hatchback, launched in March, shows that it can.
With a side profile not that dissimilar to the well-styled and curvaceous Seat Ibiza or Leon, the range starts from around £10,500 and rises to just under £15,000.
New Kia Rio
From inside the Rio 1.4 diesel that I tested is a little noisy on start-up, putting it in similar territory to my 2002 plate 1.4-litre diesel Ford Fiesta. It also judders when stationary and could do with a little more sound proofing inside.
Due to seasonal empty roads there’s adequate opportunity to travel at just 56mph during my 50-mile commute and still arrive at my destination with plenty of time to spare. Usually I have to drive like a bat out of Hell, which doesn't help the environment or my pocket. The main reason anyone would buy a 1.4 diesel is for efficiency and the little Rio doesn’t let you down here, easily delivering 50mpg - the manufacturer claims it will return a combined reading of as much as 69mpg but I feel this a little optimistic.
New 2012 Kia Rio
The air conditioning automatically comes on each time the ignition is turned, which might be fine in the Summer but wholly unnecessary in the winter. There doesn’t seem to be any way of cancelling this annoying default.
However, overall the well-designed interior is pleasing to the eye and easy to navigate your way round. The seats are supportive, good quality fabrics have been used, there’s a decent driving position and the six-speed gearbox is pretty decisive.
New Kia Rio
Parkers, the car experts, writes: “Kia’s latest Rio is no longer the wallflower of old, with a new look and the potential to unsettle European rivals. It isn’t as aggressively styled as its sibling, the Picanto, but its striking ‘bow-tie’ grille and large headlamps give the front end a bold stance.
The swooping roofline gives it a coupe look, making this Rio much more eye-catching. It’s longer, lower in height and wider than its predecessor, so the new Rio has grown up in more ways than one. Kia has pitched the Rio into the midst of a very competitive class. Its rivals include the Renault Clio, Peugeot 207, Toyota Yaris, Volkswagen Polo and class-leading Ford Fiesta - but they all have a fight on their hands with the new Rio."
New Kia Rio
Kia Rio 1.4 diesel at a glance:
New price range: £10,595 - £14,895
Top speed: 108 mph
0-60 mph: 14.4sec;
Economy: 68.9mpg (combined)
Power: 89bhp
