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Kia Rio 1.3

A spacious family car for less than the price of a second-hand supermini? What's the catch with the Kia Rio? Anyone who drove the last model quickly found out, as the hatch was seriously unpleasant to drive.

By Chris Thorp

October 2002

A spacious family car for less than the price of a second-hand supermini? What's the catch with the Kia Rio? Anyone who drove the last model quickly found out, as the hatch was seriously unpleasant to drive. Even buyers on a budget demand more than just a tempting asking price, so can a reskin make the car more appealing?

While the all-new version isn't due until 2005, changes to the styling and a reworking of the suspension system should help bridge the three-year gap. The Rio's front is treated to Kia's new corporate grille and headlamps to match the fresh rear lights. Improved 14-inch steel wheels with full covers are also added, but the Rio still looks awkward from many angles.

More important are the changes to the driving experience. Suspension modifications limit body roll and tidy up the road manners, but don't expect the dynamic finesse of class-leaders. Larger brake discs and improved cal-ipers also bring things to a more abrupt halt should the need arise.

Inside there are more impressive improvements, with a reworked dashboard and better seat trim. The design is good with everything to hand and seemingly well put together. Materials re-main hard and cheap looking, but the optional metallic plastic insert adds some interest. The engine range consists of the same 1.3 and 1.5-litre petrol versions, with no diesel planned until the 2005 replacement. Despite work carried out on refinement and acoustics, both units sound coarse when revved and don't help the Rio's poor refinement. The 1.3's 14.1-second 0-60mph time may be two seconds behind the 1.5's, and longer gearing means it's slower than the outgoing version, but on the road the difference isn't so noticeable. The trade-off for the drop in performance is an improvement in fuel economy, which rises by 7.5 per cent, meaning the 1.3 now returns a healthy 42.8mpg average.

Prices and trim levels are unchanged, so there simply isn't a similarly proportioned rival for ΂£5,995. Buyers get all the room of a Focus for half the cost, but even with the improvements, buying a second-hand Ford would make more sense.

For an alternative review of the latest Kia Rio visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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FIRST OPINION

    Kia currently sells only 15 per cent of its total production in Europe and it wants a bigger piece of the action. The Rio's facelift gives it a more Euro feel and broadens its appeal beyond that of being cheap and big. It's a huge improvement over the existing model and goes some way to bringing the hatch up to date.
 

AT A GLANCE

    On sale in December
    New styling and dashboard, plus revised suspension
    Three-year warranty included
     
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