Kia Rio: the enjoyment of driving is not enough

Germain Goyer

Wednesday, march 14, 2018 10:27

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Wednesday, march 14, 2018 10:27

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Although a strong growth in the segment of sport utility vehicles is going on on the market, car manufacturers continue to offer sub-compact, which have a base price often is ridiculous.

In 2018, Kia comes with a Rio completely new that you just drive. Although it is built from the same platform as the Hyundai Accent, the Rio is not as popular as its sister, and this, both in the United States than in Canada.

A small engine

The volume of the engine housed under the hood of a sub-compact is so small that it is usually less than the volume of the container of your milk. Powered by a four-cylinder engine of 1.6 L, the Rio delivers 130 horsepower and 119 pound-feet of torque. The trial version was equipped with an automatic transmission with six reports, but it comes standard with a manual with so many reports.

Kia Rio 2018

Kia

Consumption

Despite the small mill that motivates the consumption of gasoline sub-compact is not always so small. Since their engine is of low capacity, it must revolutionize higher as soon as the slightest effort to be present.

During the week trial, a consumption of 9.2 L/100 km was recorded by the onboard computer for a distance of 325 kilometres. The combined fuel consumption is announced, it is 7.5 L/100 km. Among its competitors, the combined fuel consumption is 7.1 L/100 km for the Chevrolet Spark and 7.4 for the Toyota Yaris.

In comparison, a Honda Civic with a four-cylinder engine of 2.0 L and gearbox CVT (continuously variable transmission) consumes only 7.0 L/100 km.

Kia Rio 2018

Kia

A small chest that houses, not evil

The hatchback, the Rio5, is significantly more practical than its sibling four-door. In addition, the volume of its trunk exceeds that of its competitors. In effect, the Rio can load up to 493 L behind the second seat, which is better than the Yaris (442 L) and Spark (313 L).

Kia Rio 2018

Kia

Good transmission

The Toyota Yaris is equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission reports. It is old-fashioned stuff. The Rio may, meanwhile, boast a transmission with six reports. Although it is intended for urban driving, as soon as one leaves the city, two additional reports of the Rio make it a road more pleasant and less garish. In regards to the Spark, it is available with a CVT.

Kia Rio 2018

Kia

Fun-to-drive

Unlike some colleagues, I never take the wheel of a subcompact backwards or even with disdain. Their small size and their light weight make them often and agile it, I like it. This would be an exaggeration to call it a sport, but his conduct is definitely dynamic. In this chapter, it is similar to the Honda Fit, which is the champion in the field. By driving it, I had the impression of finding myself at the edge of a small Volkswagen Golf. This is not little say.

Kia Rio 2018

Kia

Pay Attention to the prices

Not only do they consume roughly as much as a compact car, but the sub-compact can quickly be as expensive as bigger ones. The price of our test car were close to$ 24,000. This is stupid.

Note, in passing, that its cost base is 16 595 $. To offer a price as attractive, Kia cutting in the fat. In fact, at this price, it is necessary to pay extra for the air conditioning. But that is a tactic widespread in the industry.

By opting for a compact rather than a sub-compact, one finds the owner of a car more roomy, more spacious, more powerful and often barely more expensive. For a Forte sedan, for example, it does not have to pay that 17 145 $.

Kia Rio 2018

Kia

Brief

Despite all the great qualities of the Kia Rio, if I were to buy a sub-compact, and consider to keep it longer than the mere duration of the warranty, I would opt for a Toyota Yaris. Its safe more roomy, more powerful engine, its transmission worthy of his time are, alas, not enough to convince me to turn myself in to the Rio.

I would be obviously forced to put aside the pleasure that I felt at the steering wheel of the Rio for the peace of mind for the long term and especially the resale value that characterizes the Yaris.

Kia Rio 2018

Kia

Technical data sheet

Name: Kia Rio 2018
Base price : 16 595$
Price of model tested: 23 905
Configuration : the Vehicle front-wheel drive with engine at the front
Mechanical : four-cylinder Engine 1.6-litre
Power/torque: 130 hp/ 119 lb-ft
Transmission : six-speed Manual or automatic six-speed
Fuel consumption announced: 8.5 L/100 km (city) 6.4 L/100 km (highway)
Warranty basic : 5 years/100 000 km
Competes With: Chevrolet Spark, Nissan Micra, Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent

Rating (out of 10)
Fuel consumption : 7
Equipment : 7
Price : 5
Style : 7
Comfort (front) : 7
Comfort (rear) : 6
Road holding : 7
Performance : 6
Storage space : 7
Overall rating : 7

Forces
Driving dynamics
Good warranty
Automatic Transmission with six reports

Weaknesses
Consumption of gasoline can quickly mount
Reputation of reliability less than the Yaris
Less attractive economically than a compact