Feature-laden Kia Rio 5 SX a stylish traveller
You could be forgiven for thinking the Kia Rio 5-Door is virtually the same car as the recently reviewed Hyundai Accent, give or take a few minor differences. Many people are under the mistaken impression that the two companies share one lineup with interchangeable badges.
While Hyundai does own 34 per cent of Kia, and the powertrains for both companies are produced by Hyundai’s Namyang Research and Development centre outside of Seoul, Korea, they are otherwise separate entities.
The Rio 5 and the Accent share powertrains, and platform components, but each are separate entries — and rivals — in the subcompact economy segment.
Kia has come a long way since its North American arrival in 1992, when it produced a succession of rather dismal vehicles.
Whatever it took to lure star designer Peter Schreyer from Audi in 2006, was well worth it. Since then, Kia has established a reputation for fresh design and a high level of content for all of its segment entries.
Such as this one. Available also as a sedan for $14,095, the Rio 5-Door hatch offers three trim levels: LX, EX and SX, starting at $14,495. The base model LX features four-wheel disc brakes, stability control, power locks and windows, satellite radio, poweradjustable heated mirrors and steering wheel audio controls.
This week’s tester is the rangetopping Rio 5 SX (starting at $20,595). It comes with a long list of features that includes LED running lights and tail lamps, automatic climate control, a sport-tuned suspension, paddle shifters, push-button start, heated steering wheel and leather seats.
Optional is the SX Nav package that, for another $2,200, adds sunroof and navigation.
Interestingly, a manual transmission is available throughout the Rio 5 model range.
My cute Chili Red tester rolls on 17-inch alloys. Kia’s small cars once were amorphous blobs with little pizzazz, but the Rio 5 boasts Schreyer’s crisp styling and signature “tiger nose” grille.
The Rio 5’s interior is quite fresh and well executed. Accentuating the SX trim’s sportier image, there are drilled metal pedals, leather-wrapped wheel and shifter, and push-button start. Then add these thoughtful touches: illuminated vanity mirrors, Bluetooth, map light and sunglasses holder, rear-view camera, and a glove box/cooler.
But most surprising — and welcome — of all, is the heated steering wheel. In a budget hatchback!
It’s plenty roomy for a subcompact. Fold down the 60/40-split rear seats, and the Rio 5 has a total of 1,410 litres of cargo space.
While it may have paddle shifters, a more firmly tuned suspension and driver-selectable Comfort, Normal and Sport modes, calling the Rio 5 SX “sporty” would be an exaggeration. The 1.6-L engine, with its 138 horsepower and 123 poundfeet of torque, is one of the most powerful in the segment, but the steering, while nicely weighted, offers little feedback. The SX’s sports suspension may be a bit firm for some — it is a bit harsh over rough pavement — but some of that could be attributed to the tires.
The SX model also boasts an Eco setting, and start/stop technology — a fuel-conserving feature that’s only just starting to trickle down from expensive European vehicles. This helps the Rio 5 achieve some fairly impressive consumption ratings. Kia’s Idle Stop and Go (ISG) shuts the engine off while stopped at traffic lights, and starts it up with only a barely noticeable shudder once the brake pedal’s released.
I managed to get between 6.0 and 6.2 L/100 km highway, but my inner-city, stop-and-go travel netted an average of 9.3 L/100 km. However, it must be noted that the city ratings also included carrying two large male passengers.
Overall, the Rio 5 proved itself a very pleasant travel companion. Loaded with features, easy to drive and surprisingly roomy for its segment, it also comes with Kia’s 5-5-5 Warranty, which includes powertrain coverage, roadside assistance and more for five years. Overview: Stylish subcompact hatchback Pros: Laden with a full roster of features and technology, great warranty Cons: Handling not particularly exciting, cabin somewhat noisy Value for money: Good What I would change: Add more cabin insulation