2017 Kia Rio Si new car review
Kia is desperate to shake off its 'cheap and cheerful' tag.
The South Korean sibling to Hyundai has been trying to elevate itself from a brand thought of for basic cars to offering more stylish and sophisticated cars that compete against mainstream rivals.
Over the last decade it has made steady progress, introducing better styling and working hard on improving the driving characteristics of its cars.
The latest Rio is a great example of how far the brand has come. It offers a look that wouldn't look out-of-place in an Audi showroom and good on-road prowess while still offering great value.
What do you get?
Kia is offering a three model Rio range - S, Si and SLi - and we're testing the one in the middle. The Si is priced from $21,490 (plus on-road costs) and comes standard with an automatic transmission, which automatically gives it a step up on some rivals.
Other standard gear includes 15-inch alloy wheels, cloth trim, a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen that incorporates navigation with live traffic, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio and Bluetooth.
Safety includes a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, and airbag protection for all. Kia doesn't offer any active safety items, such as autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning or blind spot monitoring, on any model in the Rio range.
Like every other Kia though, the Rio gets an industry-leading seven-year warranty, capped price servicing and roadside assistance program.
What's inside?
Kia has mastered the art of creating a stylish, well-presented cabin while still relying on typical (non-premium) materials.
The Rio has an easy to use layout with a typical thoughtfulness to the design, such as the tray underneath the USB that gives you somewhere to store your phone or music player while it's plugged in.
The infotainment touchscreen adds a level of premiumness to the cabin, as well as excellent functionality and an intuitive menu.
One criticism is how colourless the cabin is, with Kia opting for grey or black for most items including the dashboard plastics and seat trim. A splash of colour or chrome might help lift the interior, especially to appeal to young buyers.
The space is good for a car of this size. The front chairs offer good support and comfort too.
Under the bonnet
The 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine offers up modest performance with 74kW of power and 133Nm of torque.
To get the best out of it you need to get the revs above 4000rpm, because it feels flat at the bottom of the rev range. Around town that means the Rio can feel sluggish at times, especially when you're looking to get off the mark or rush for a gap in traffic.
It's not helped by the out-dated four-speed automatic gearbox, which doesn't get the best out of the engine.
If you do give the car plenty of revs there is respectable response but it comes at the expense of noise, with the engine making a noticeable impact on the cabin.
Fuel economy is also behind the class leaders, using a claimed 6.2-litres per 100km on the combined cycle.
Having said all that, in fairness this sort of performance is not uncommon in this class and the Rio performs adequately for this segment and at this price point.
On the road
While the engine and transmission might be a bit behind the class-leaders the same can't be said for the way the Rio rides and handles. As is the case for the rest of the range, Kia Australia has done its own local suspension and steering tuning program to tailor the Rio for our country's unique road conditions.
It shines through with the Rio among the best in class to drive. The steering is a particular highlight as the electric system is tuned to offer nice weighting, direct response and good feedback to the driver.
The suspension is a touch too firm for a city car, having a tendency to crash over speed bumps and potholes, but it gives the car responsive - almost sporty - handling.
The biggest limiting factor to the Rio's performance are its tyres. Using Kuhmo 'ecowing' rubber means it runs out of grip before it approaches the limit of the chassis.
Verdict
Kia has improved the new Rio is most regards. It looks more premium outside, the interior is good for the class and the handling is near the head of the pack. The biggest letdown is the engine but it isn't a deal-breaker.
For those looking for a well-equipped city car that is above average to drive then the Rio should be on your short list. It marks another step forward in Kia's march towards mainstream.
2017 Kia Rio Si pricing and specifications
Price: From $21,490 plus on-road costs
Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol
Power: 74kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 133Nm at 4000rpm
Transmission: Four-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Fuel use: 6.2L/100km
The Competitors
Mazda2 Genki
Price: From $22,690 plus on-road costs
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Power: 81kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 141Nm at 4000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic, FWD
Fuel use: 5.5L/100km
Our score: 7/10
Toyota Yaris ZR
Price: From $22,470 plus on-road costs
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Power: 80kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 141Nm at 4200rpm
Transmission: Four-speed automatic, AWD
Fuel use: 6.3L/100km
Our score: 6/10
Skoda Fabia 81TSI
Price: From $19,490 plus on-road costs
Engine: 1.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Power: 81kW at 4600-5600rpm
Torque: 175Nm at 1400-4000rpm
Fuel use: 4.8L/100km
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, FWD
Our score: 6.5/10