The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2018 Kia Rio dances on the sand
Carmaker’s worldwide best-seller feels more expensive than it is.
BALTIMORE — Filmmaker John Waters once described his hometown of Baltimore as being populated by “people who think they’re normal but they’re not.” Pardon me if that sounds more like a description of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un than the denizens of Charm City, a nickname so wince-inducing, it could have only come from the minds of the city’s ad agencies — which it did, long before the town deserved the accolade.
Since then, Baltimore has successfully added to the advertised charm with the revival of Fell’s Point and the creation of Harborplace and its now-famous attractions: the National Aquarium, USS Constellation, Maryland Science Center, and lots of food laced with crab.
Yet maybe Mr. Waters is right: You don’t spot a lot of bouffant-style hairdos or Old Bay-flavored dark chocolates in many other places.
So perhaps the city, attempting to bury its oddball past, was indeed the perfect launching pad for the all-new 2018 Kia Rio sedan and 5-door hatchback, a nameplate that’s trying to change its reputation as well.
“We’re very honest about our past,” said James Bell, director of communications for Kia Motors America. “This company recognizes that at one point, a little less of a reputation was something that was deserved. But we’re moving past that.”
As if to prove the point, Bell cites the brand’s many recent honors, including its second consecutive top ranking in J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study. That may not grab headlines or hearts like the upcoming rear-wheel-drive Kia Stinger sports sedan, but the achievement is significant if you’re considering one of Kia’s more workaday cars, like the Rio.
And while this subcompact Kia is physically small, its importance to company fortunes looms large. It’s Kia’s most-popular vehicle worldwide. Here? Not so much.
But that explains the car’s conservative style, which boasts a European presence, especially on the five-door hatchback, thanks to its more chiseled, upright stance and a new interpretation of Kia’s trademark tiger nose grille. Most importantly, the windshield is taller and more upright, lending the cabin a roomier feel. Same goes for the lowprofile center console that thankfully doesn’t command too much space. It’s set below an instrument panel with an expansive feel. Knobs are nicely detailed with metallic inlays and rubberized edging and blessedly simple to use. The only negative are the hard plastic door panels that lack padded armrests, which make for a noticeably uncomfortable experience. But overall, material quality is impressive for the price point. It’s an inexpensive Kia that doesn’t feel cheap.
Motivating the front-wheel-drive Rio is an updated version of Kia’s 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
There’s enough power to give the car a punchy feel when asked to play, although the transmission hesitates before downshifting to offer up more power. It’s no speed demon but it’s more than up to its mission. Best of all, the engine never gets overly vocal. In fact, the car is so lacking in road and tire noise, you’ll wonder if you’re in a Rio. For an entry-level scooter, there’s a lot more driving fun than you’d expect.
In fact, the Rio’s so progressive and predictable in its behavior, you might wonder when the hot hatch variant will be arriving, something you never would have said of a Kia Rio at any point in its history until now. There’s none of the typical Korean floatiness or excessive brake dive, even at extremes. Take a corner too fast, brake hard, and crank the wheel, and the Rio will scrub off speed while maintaining way more grip than you’d expect. Credit the car’s rigid structure; the suspension pieces themselves are nothing special. Nevertheless, they’re perfectly tuned for the task at hand.
The seats are well-bolstered and very firm, with good front seat legroom. Legroom in the rear depends on the kindness of front seat passengers. The rear seats fold down to expand cargo space.
When it comes to tech, Kia has you covered with Bluetooth, a sixspeaker stereo with satellite radio, a rear-view camera system, and a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Standard safety features include six airbags, sideimpact door beams, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, hill-start assist and vehicle stability management.
Regardless of the trim level, you get an impressively tight structure, a quiet cabin and a moderately fun driving experience.
Yes, its name is Rio and it dances on the sand.