Kio Rio has newfound maturity

Kia won’t be offering a sedan version of the new Rio, at least for now, as it’s not currently available in right-and drive. However Kia is busy building a new factory in India and it’s very likely that SA will be able to source RHD sedans from there when it comes on stream in 2019. The current sedan will continue to be offered until at least the end of this year.

The new hatch is being launched with two carry-over normally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engines in the form of a 62kW/120Nm 1.25-litre and 74kW/135Nm 1.4. The smaller engine is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox only, while the larger unit can be had with either a six-speed manual or four-speed auto. While power is down slightly on their predecessors, there is more torque available lower in the rev range.

I got to sample a 1.4-litre manual model and the car felt painless to drive, and while engine performance felt perfectly adequate for fast-paced city driving, it’s not in the same league as the turbocharged engines that some of its rivals are offering in this price range, particularly at altitude.

The current range does at least offer a good selection of four trim grades. Even the basic 1.2 LS offers air conditioning, a fourspeaker MP3/Aux/USB audio system linked to steering wheel controls and featuring Bluetooth connectivity. The LS also comes with central locking, electric windows and mirrors, and the steering wheel is adjustable for both height and reach.

Features like park assist, projector headlights, LED taillights, leather seats, cruise control, automatic climate control, and rain-sensing wipers are variously available as you move up the range. All versions come with a five-year unlimited-kilometre warranty and four-year/60 000km service plan.

KIA RIO PRICES

1.2 LS 1.4 LX 1.4 LS auto 1.4 EX 1.4 EX auto 1.4 TEC 1.4 TEC auto R219 995 R234 995 R247 995 R249 995 R262 995 R274 995 R287 995 Non-turbo 1.2 and 1.4 engines are carried over from the previous Rio.