‘Unexpected level of refinement and sophistication’
The smallest and least expensive Kia is a delightful surprise. You expect small and cheap — but you get small and inexpensive.
The difference is the degree of sophistication, industry leading quality and the level of standard equipment. The result is outstanding value.
Kia has come a long way from those early years days of cheap and cheerful, when it relied on low prices and extra content to earn a spot in the Canadian market.
It has steadily improved everything from construction quality and technology to the point where independent studies show Kia to be among the most reliable vehicles on the market, not only in terms of initial quality but after years of ownership as well.
The fourth generation of the smallest and least expensive Kia, the 2018 Rio 5-door, is a perfect example of how far the company has come.
Standard equipment on the $15,000 Rio 5-door in LX trim level, includes: power heated mirrors, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, remote keyless entry, power windows and locks, tilt steering column and a rear-view camera. Jump to an LX + at $18,000, and you get an automatic transmission, air conditioning and cruise control.
You also get an extremely well designed and built small car with an unexpected level of refinement and sophistication.
That impression begins with the styling, starting up front with the tiger nose and ushaped LED daytime running lights. There is nothing dramatic about the looks, rather a sense of maturity.
The car looks good in any surrounding. Instead of standing out, it fits in. The proportions and lines of this five-door model closely resemble those of a certain small German car.
Inside the impression remains standard at the trim level of the test vehicle. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also accommodated at this trim — but not on lesser versions with a smaller 12-cm screen.
While the front seats are expected from any vehicle in the sub-compact category.
The split folding rear seat does however, allow this small car to hit above its size in terms of cargo space. Drop them down and volume jumps from 325 litres to 1,054,readily available through the large rear hatch. The seats do not, however, fold perfectly flat.
On the road, the level of refinement remains high. With assistance from a very rigid and slightly larger new structure, the engineers managed to tune a relatively unsophisticated suspension — struts up front and a beam at the rear — to provide a pleasant ride, difficult to accomplish in such a small and light vehicle riding on a short wheelbase.
Power, but not a lot of it, comes from an updated version of the 1.6-litre, four-cylinder used previously. The engine is eerily quiet and smooth as silk, causing you to think it may not be running.
Shifts from the six-speed automatic are seamless and the updates to both engine and transmission have resulted in a noted improvement in acceleration compared to the outgoing Rio.
One feature worthy of being singled out is the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system that is standard on the top trim.
Not only does it automatically apply the brakes should
the driver fail to do so when approaching an object or another vehicle from behind, it will bring the Rio to a complete stop if that situation occurs at speeds of less than 80 km/h.
The new-for-2018 Kia Rio 5-door is a stylish and well built little sub-compact with an inordinate amount of sophistication and value.