Kia Rio (2005 - To Date)

Models covered: (5dr hatchback 1.4 petrol, 1.5 diesel [base, LS, GS])

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Sometimes car buyers dont want to do the research. They want something thats going to be easy to buy, easy to maintain and easy to drive. They dont care about handling, soft-touch plastics or 0-60 times. They just want a hassle-free experience and thats exactly whats served up by the Kia Rio.

Good looking and inoffensive, the Rio is a very good cheap car. As a used buy it has plenty to commend it.

Build
Comfort
Depreciation
Economy
Equipment
Handling
Insurance
Performance
Styling
Value

One of the key problems of the old car was that from a styling perspective, it didnt seem to know quite what it wanted to be. It seemed to hover somewhere between a hatch and an estate, but the second generation car sharpens up the styling quite significantly. In fact, its almost what you could call good looking, with a smart fresh family face. Everything about the car was redesigned.

That styling, for example, went down well, featuring as it did a bolder nose, a more dynamic profile and a neater interior. Comfort-wise, there was more headroom, legroom and shoulder room, especially in the rear. From a safety perspective, there were twin front, side and curtain airbags, plus active head restraints and the option for owners to consider the availability of the electronic stability programme, ESP. As for performance, well, rather unusually, this was an all-new car that launched with all-new engines, with both diesel and petrol units claimed by Kia to be amongst the class best.

Both featured much stronger refinement than Kia had been able to offer in the past, courtesy of sleeker aerodynamics, a stronger structure and greatly enhanced NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) measures. Finally, customer convenience was also high on the developers list, with the Mk2 Rio offering a more versatile cargo space, a trip computer, solar glass and the availability of keyless entry. The Rio still revelled in its shameless affordability and decent equipment levels, the entry-level model including central locking and twin front airbags as part of its standard specification. There was also an optional Dynamic pack that included a rear spoiler, a sunroof and an Electronic Stability Program for additional safety.

The 3,990 mm long second generation Rio hatchback is taller (+50 mm), wider (+15 mm) but shorter (-250 mm) than the model it replaced. The car also has a much longer wheelbase (+90 mm) which, combined with careful packaging of the mechanical components, enabled it at launch to claim best-in-class interior space for maximum occupant comfort. The Rios wheelbase is between 9mm and 40mm, longer (in 2005 at least) than rivals like Volkswagens Polo, Skodas Fabia, Peugeots 206, Fords Fiesta and Vauxhalls Corsa, while its overall width was from 12mm to 49mm wider. The overall length was between 30mm and 168mm longer than those potential supermini rivals.

Prices for the 1.4-litre start at around £2,800 for the LX model on a 2003 52-plate, with a 2005 55-plate GS fetching around £5,450. The diesels are a little more sought after and a 55-plated 1.5CRD LX is still worth somewhere in the region of £6,375.

Insurance ranges from Group 3 to Group 5, so thats not about to break the bank either.

The Rio looks a little flimsy inside and the cabins are prone to minor plastic parts breaking and extraneous squeaks and rattles developing. The mechanicals are reasonably simple and rarely give cause for complaint. Kias bear up pretty well reliability-wise, but do check for its service history and contact a few franchised dealers to try to find the best bargain available.

(Estimated prices, based on a 2006 1.4 LX) Kia spares prices have gained an enviable reputation for good value, and replacement parts for the Rio are no exception. A clutch assembly is around £140, whilst front brake pads weigh in at around £40. An alternator will cost around £120, and for a starter motor youll be looking at £110.



Diesel power has been a popular option for Rio customers. The 1.5 CRDi unit on offer features a common rail fuel injection system and an advanced variable geometry turbocharger (VGT). Similar to the larger Cerato family hatchbacks engine, this powerplant produces decent power and clean emissions that meet Euro 4 criteria.

Performance of the 110PS 1.5 diesel unit is highly competitive and class-leading in an area of the market where most rivals have 75PS or less. The 16-valve engine delivers 235 Nm of torque at just 2,000 rpm, so you shouldnt have to row this Kia along with the gearlever. For customers who prefer petrol power or require an automatic transmission, a 1.

4-litre 16-valve petrol engine is also available. This 1.4-litre engine made its world premiere in the Rio. Its DOHC, 16-valve unit generates a maximum of 97PS and maximum torque of 125.

4 Nm at 4,700 rpm, making the Rio one of the most powerful cars in the 1,400 cc class. Thus the car outperforms all its comparable 1.4-litre supermini rivals, with up to 22PS more power than competitors. Both engines available in the five-door were offered with a five-speed manual transmission as standard.

Available as an option, a four-speed automatic transmission specifically developed and tuned for the Rio was offered on the petrol engine only. The Rio is a surprisingly tight-feeling package on the road, with a reasonably taut suspension set up that keeps body roll well in check. Whereas the old car was pretty entertaining but somewhat crashy, the MK2 models revised suspension geometry offers a little more refinement over ruts and potholes without sacrificing the fun factor. Indeed, the Rio is good sport to hustle about, the rack and pinion steering being light and accurate; something that has defeated the best efforts of many more prestigious manufacturers.



The Kia Rio isnt the most exciting car your budget will stretch to but its modern, good looking and, importantly for many, nearly new. Its hard to criticise at these prices and would make a very good choice for the more mature buyer looking for something thats not going to let them down.