Hatchback a model of simplicity
In automobiles as in life, sometimes the simplest things are the best fit for one’s needs, rather than larger and costlier choices. The 2018 Rio five-door hatchback exemplifies this philosophy.
Although dimensionally positioned in the heart of the subcompact bracket, the Rio five-door is in no way a bottom-feeder model. The hatchback is larger overall than most direct competitors, such as the Ford Fiesta, Chevrolet Sonic and Toyota Yaris. The Kia is not that tall, however, so it takes a back seat to the interior space of the Nissan Versa Note and class-leading Honda Fit.
Compared to the 2017 model, the 2018 Rio fivedoor is slightly larger and rides on a completely new platform that has been significantly stiffened for improved ride and driving qualities, as well as for safety. The suspension has been redesigned to improve ride quality while maintaining composure during cornering.
The 2018 five-door looks about the same as before, even though the front end is more aggressively styled with a larger air intake below the grille. The rear roof pillar has been squared off, which should help the entry and exit process for rear passengers.
Overall, the five-door displays a mature appearance that shares nothing with the kiddie-car shapes of previous-generation models.
The interior design is also more grown-up, with its clean, straightforward dashboard that shouldn’t require memorizing the owner’s manual to master. The touchscreen and climate controls are also easy to use.
There’s a reasonable amount of rear legroom for adults and the load space with the rear seat folded forward will swallow lots of gear (an enlarged hatch opening helps). But for class-leading stowage capacity, the Honda Fit remains unchallenged.
The five-door’s drivetrain is an interesting conundrum. The 1.6-litre “Gamma” engine is rated at 130 horsepower and 119 pound-feet of torque, which is slightly less than the previous 130/123 rating. Despite this, Kia claims that the engine now has better low- and midrange acceleration and is also more fuel-efficient. At 8.3 l/100 km in the city and 6.4 on the highway, fuel consumption is slightly better than before, but most drivers won’t notice.
As before, the engine can be matched with a sixspeed manual transmission or available six-speed automatic.
The car is commendably comfortable in city driving and the manual gearbox is smooth-shifting. The automatic also works well, except for some slight hesitation when accelerating hard from a dead stop.
Where this Kia really shines is on the highway, where the suspension works well soaking up all but the nastiest of rough stuff while keeping the car securely planted in the turns. The fact that the 2018 five-door is about 70 kilograms heavier than the previous model doesn’t seem to hurt the fun-todrive quotient one bit.
Starting prices haven’t been set, but somewhere in the $16,550 range (including destination charges) for the base LX trim is expected. That gets you a 13-centimetre display plus the usual power features.
The midrange EX trim adds climate control, power sunroof and an 18-centimetre display, while the EX Sport includes alloy pedals, rain-sensing wipers and 17-inch alloy wheels (15-inch steel wheels are standard).
The top-end EX Tech comes with a navigation system, leather seat coverings and an automatic emergency-braking system that helps reduce/avoid forward collisions.
There are no additional dynamic safety aids such as lane-departure warning/intervention or pedestrian detection.
Still, in the basic-transpo field, the Rio five-door stacks up as a good-looking, semi-sporty driver’s car with room for plenty of gear. It doesn’t get any simpler than that.
THE SPEC SHEET
Type: Four-door, front-wheel-drive subcompact hatchback Engine (hp): 1.6-litre DOHC I-4 (130) Transmission: Six-speed manual; six-speed automatic (opt.) Market position: Wagon-style hatchbacks are the best way to go when choosing a compact or subcompact since they excel in gear-carrying capacities and are arguably better looking than their sedan counterparts. Points: Updated, more-grown-up design makes a bolder statement. • Roomy cabin feels more like a larger compact model. • Suspension updates for improved ride and handling qualities. • Lacking most dynamic safety technologies. • Despite being heavier and having less power than before, it feels spry. • Just one engine option? Active safety: Blind-spot warning with cross-traffic alert (n.a.); emergency braking (std.); pedestrian detection (n.a.); lane departure warning (n.a.). Fuel economy, L/100 km (city/hwy): 8.3/6.4 (AT) Base price (incl. destination) $16,550