THE reinvention of Kia continues apace with each new model reaffirming its transformation from a bargain basement brand to a marque that’s more than capable of taking on the European mainstream. The latest Rio might not be as eye-catching as the likes of the Soul or the Sportage but it’s still got plenty going for it. It’s a handsome looking vehicle that has slight echoes of the company's sporty Pro_cee'd, one of those trailblazers that will be remembered as a Kia people wanted to buy because they liked it rather than the fact it was cheap. It’s hard to believe that this is the fourth incarnation of the Rio, which somewhere along the way would seem to have shrunk. Kia makes no bones about the fact the model is aimed in part at downsizers – those people wanting something a little smaller to save money. In this regard it should prove a success. Those good looks are a good starting point but it’s also a car that manages to be rather versatile and family-friendly. Often an adherence to desirable design lines above all else can result in space being compromised but the Rio manages to deliver both – the only slight downside being that rear visibility is slightly compromised due to its curvy rear end. Korean cars of old enjoyed a reputation for value but had the sort of interiors that looked like they’d been designed rather late in the whole process and probably in something of a hurry. However since then remarkably big strides have been made in a comparatively short space of time and now fit and finish, along with instrumentation and switchgear, are up to European levels of refinement. One of the claims to fame of the current Rio is that you can have one with a diesel engine that is setting new standards when it comes to combining fuel economy with low emissions (88.3mpg and 85g/km). This car was fitted with a 1.4-litre petrol unit that might not be quite so ‘green’ but still offers reasonably cheap running costs. It was still a good performer though offering smooth and fairly potent performance. A surprisingly pleasant package was completed by the fact it delivered a thoroughly decent drive, with the kind of dynamics one might expect in something far more expensive and overtly sporty. While it was no hot hatch I enjoyed chucking the Rio around corners and the whole driving experience was completed by well-weighted steering with great feel. All in all a very grown-up car that continued to surprise me each time I got behind the wheel. I grew so attached to it in fact that I felt rather guilty when I backed it into another vehicle in a car park after a few days of enjoyable and hassle-free motoring. I blamed it on that somewhat limited rear visibility (combined with a bit of condensation) rather than my poor driving. Thankfully the Kia came off better than the other car. I say ‘thankfully’ not just because I felt bad about damaging a car I had become quite attached to but more so because the other vehicle turned out to be occupied by a couple of car clampers. Say no more! FAST FACTS Kia Rio 2.1.4 Price: £13,095 Mechanical: 107bhp, 1,396cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox Max speed: 114mph 0-60mph: 11.1 seconds Combined mpg: 51.4 Insurance group: 8 CO2 emissions: 128g/km BIK rating: 15% Warranty: 7yrs/100,000 miles | 
News | Road tests | Buying advice | Special reports | Used cars | New cars | Manufacturers | Views | Dealers
