Skip advert
Advertisement

Kia Rio

We drive Kia's Fiesta rival on Korean roads. Can it continue the firm's meteoric rise?

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Kia Rio
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

As Kia’s star has risen over the past couple of years, the Rio has looked a little outdated, but its shortcomings have been addressed with the all-new car and it is now a genuine contender. More spacious, more refined, superior to drive and markedly better quality than its predecessor, it thoroughly deserves to be on the radar of supermini buyers. It seems certain to deliver on Kia’s intention of claiming a bigger slice of the supermini sector. The move upmarket, however, comes at a price, with the model likely to start at £10,500 in the UK - £2,000 more expensive than at present. Top-spec versions could even reach £15,000. It still represents better value than most rivals, though.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Few companies have enjoyed such an amazing upward trajectory in recent times as Kia, and the next car charged with driving that momentum spectacularly forward is the new Rio.

With the supermini sector among the most fiercely fought in the market – and taking up more than a quarter of all sales in Europe – the Rio faces a formidable task. But expectations are high.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Kia Rio

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_narrow","fid":"68694","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image"}}]]

Auto Express tried out an early production model on the roads around Seoul in Kia’s home market, South Korea, to see if the established class leaders have a fresh contender to worry about – and if the company’s bullish hopes of massively increased sales are warranted.

First impressions are positive, as the Rio is undeniably a smart design. As with the Cee’d hatch before it, the Rio has been penned with European tastes in mind, and looks all the better for it.

Sculpted flanks, the firm’s now familiar bow-tie grille and a neatly rounded profile create a classy look which is a significant step forward from its rather bland predecessor. Both five-door and three-door models will be available, with the former arriving first in September.

The good work continues inside. The basic feel of the outgoing model is gone, replaced by a significantly better quality cabin constructed from decent materials.

The layout will be familiar to owners of recent Kias, with a three-cylinder instrument cluster, but there are new toggle switches on the centre console, inspired, apparently by Lamborghini, while a choice of three interior trim colours - brown, black or grey -confirms the move upmarket. Only the plastic door handles, which do not feel especially robust, are a disappointment.

There’s easily enough room for four adults to sit in comfort, with adequate headroom and legroom for six-footers in the rear, and the boot increases in size, too, to a competitive 288 litres.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Civic Tourer

2015 Honda

Civic Tourer

23,617 milesAutomaticPetrol1.8L

Cash £12,178
View Civic Tourer
Astra

2023 Vauxhall

Astra

11,209 milesAutomaticDiesel1.5L

Cash £21,199
View Astra
EcoSport

2019 Ford

EcoSport

16,963 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £10,495
View EcoSport
Grandland X

2020 Vauxhall

Grandland X

45,973 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £10,495
View Grandland X

So far, so good then. But what about on the road? Four engines will be offered with the Rio – 1.2- and 1.4-litre petrols and 1.1- and 1.4-litre diesels.

The smaller 74bhp stop-start diesel has grabbed most of the headlines pre-launch, with CO2 emissions figures of 85g/km in EcoDynamics guise – the lowest of any production car on sale – and a claimed 88mpg. But features such as air-con, rear audio speakers and rear wash wipers are all absent to keep weight down, and Kia admits these may be compromises some buyers are unwilling to make, with the 1.1 engine likely to account for less than 10 per cent of sales.  

Set to be more popular is the 89bhp 1.4-litre diesel, which is the version we drove, and it unquestionably moves the game on from the outgoing car. Admittedly, it’s not the torquiest of engines, and the unit needs to be worked hard at motorway speeds. However, the six-speed gearbox shifts solidly, while the Rio handles competently, resisting roll well.

It’s not a match for the class-leading Ford Fiesta dynamically and dead steering is an undoubted irritation, but in this class that is unlikely to be a deal-breaker for buyers. In short, with excellent refinement, it feels far more of a premium car from behind the wheel, one of Kia’s stated aims, so in that respect it’s a success.

We also tried the 109bhp 1.4-litre petrol version, which is a bit more lively and again a major step forward from its predecessor.

Low rolling resistance tyres fitted as part of the EcoDynamic tweaks made the ride harsher, though, and buyers will have to weigh up if they sufficiently value the fuel economy saving that the green package offers to opt for this version. The ISG stop-start system works effectively, though.

There are no quibbles in terms of equipment. As part of the drive upmarket, the Rio is available with the likes of aux-in and USB inputs, heated seats linked to the climate control, sat-nav with rear view and a heated steering wheel.

The package is, unquestionably, an appealing one, and should guarantee the Rio becomes a more familiar sight on British roads, ensuring the Kia success story continues apace.
 

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £7,541 off RRP*Used from £11,895
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,921 off RRP*Used from £8,886
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £23,990Avg. savings £2,192 off RRP*Used from £20,921
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £11,995
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment
Xiaomi YU7 - front cornering

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment

BMW or Mercedes would do anything to keep the new Xiaomi YU7 from sale in the UK and Europe, and this is why
Road tests
14 Jul 2025
New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
The EV grant is back: Government's new £3,750 electric car discount in detail
Auto Express creative director Darren Wilson charging the Lexus RZ

The EV grant is back: Government's new £3,750 electric car discount in detail

The government has set out its plan to help reduce the cost of affordable EVs by introducing a new £3,750 grant for new EVs sold
News
15 Jul 2025