Skip advert
Advertisement

Kia Rio 2 2015 review

Can light refresh keep Kia Rio supermini fighting fit in competitive class?

Overall Auto Express rating

3.0

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

The Kia Rio still has plenty of appealing features, including a high-quality cabin, seven-year warranty and a comfortable ride, but rival superminis are ahead in a few key areas. Kia is planning to release a new 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol soon, which could merit an extra star, but for now, this engine and spec is merely adequate in a class where adequate isn’t quite enough.

Advertisement - Article continues below

With an influx of highly important new superminis appearing in 2015, Kia has given its Rio a minor facelift to ensure it isn’t left behind. We drove the 1.4-litre petrol model in mid-range 2 spec to see if it has upped its game.

On the outside, the four-year-old Rio’s looks remain fresh and are aided by subtle bumper alterations that came with the revamp. Inside, meanwhile, the roomy cabin doesn’t change too dramatically, but it is a little more upmarket. Material and trim quality have improved, most noticeably with the gloss-black dashboard inserts, and while you won’t be bowled over by new technology or design flair, it’s easy on the eye, intuitive to operate and feels solidly built.

Our model lacked the new seven-inch touchscreen sat-nav included on higher-spec cars. The standard radio (now with DAB) is user-friendly, yet the display looks dated.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

C-HR

2018 Toyota

C-HR

50,830 milesAutomaticPetrol1.8L

Cash £14,300
View C-HR
1 Series

2019 BMW

1 Series

49,116 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £14,000
View 1 Series
2 Series Convertible

2020 BMW

2 Series Convertible

39,952 milesManualDiesel2.0L

Cash £11,800
View 2 Series Convertible
Kuga

2019 Ford

Kuga

45,669 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £12,300
View Kuga

On the road, it’s clear that the Rio is biased towards comfort rather than taking the Ford Fiesta head-on for handling. That’s no bad thing, as you get a refined, smooth ride around town and quietness at higher speeds. Body control is adequate, but it’s a shame that the steering is still vague.

The 107bhp 1.4-litre petrol is carried over from the old model, but now gets stop/start as standard. With six gears, it’s reasonably flexible for a non-turbo unit, yet it gives away its modest 136Nm torque output at higher speeds. You need to rev the Kia hard to extract its best performance, and doing so exposes thrashiness at higher revs. Take it easy, however, and it’s smooth and refined.

The 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo units in the Vauxhall Corsa and Fiesta are more relaxing, gutsier and cheaper to tax, plus they’d easily match our 43mpg test economy.

The problem is, the Rio isn’t quite the bargain it once was. The Hyundai i20 offers marginally more kit for less, and you can have a mid-spec Skoda Fabia with its clever MirrorLink touchscreen and punchy TSI petrol for the same money. A turbo petrol unit is on the horizon, but for now, the Rio makes more sense in cheaper SR7 spec with the three-cylinder diesel engine.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,075 off RRP*Used from £14,448
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £2,513 off RRP*Used from £5,500
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £3,331 off RRP*Used from £9,600
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £18,725Avg. savings £4,199 off RRP*Used from £15,337
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025