The Kia Rio

The Kia Rio is characterised by a great, high-quality interior – it gets a three-dial instrument cluster, and toggle switches on the centre console which are neat touches. The three-door Kia Rio is sportier than the five-door, but both versions get sculpted flanks, a swooping roofline and is designed with the European market in mind. Both the three-door and five-door versions are available in a wide variety of finishes: Blaze Red, Bright Silver, Electric Blue, Midnight Black, Graphite, and Clear White. There are also lots of trim levels to choose from, including 1, 1 Air, 2 and 3 specifications. Entry-level cars have to do without alloy wheels, but still get electric front windows, a trip computer, steering wheel-mounted controls and Bluetooth connectivity. 1 Air, as the name suggests, introduces air-conditioning, while 2 specifications gets 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, heated door mirrors and electric windows all-round. Meanwhile, top-of-the-range Kia Rio 3 boasts LED daytime running lights, automatic headlights with cornering function, parking sensors, climate control, cruise control and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Reliability

The Kia  Rio was awarded the full five-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash tests, scoring an impressive 92 per cent for adult occupant protection and 86 per cent in the safety assist category. ESP is fitted as standard, there’s an Emergency Stop Signalling system, and all Kia Rios come with driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags. In the Auto Express Driver Power 2013 satisfaction survey, the Kia Rio finished in a superb 17th place. Plus, in Auto Express manufacturer rankings ,Kia finished seventh overall, cementing its position as a reliable brand and helping its push upmarket. The Kia Rio comes with the industry-leading seven-year warranty, too. The only negative thing we can say about the Kia Rio in this department is that the door handles are a bit flimsy, but other than that, it’s one of the best-built Kias yet.

Practicality

Despite its compact dimensions, the Kia Rio is surprisingly roomy inside, and there’s plenty of space for two adults in the rear. Kia claims the Rio offers best-in-class head and legroom for those upfront, while the steering wheel features two-way height adjustment on all but the entry-level diesel model. The Kia Rio offers 288 litres of boot space, which is on par with rivals like the Ford Fiesta and Hyundai i20. Plus, all specifications come with split folding rear seats that increase the boot space to 923 litres. At the front of the cabin, a useful storage area sits below the heating control panel, which is ideal for mobile phones, wallets and keys. The door bins are shallow but can easily hold a large water bottle. Parking the Kia Rio is easy thanks to its compact dimensions and tight turning circle.

Mbali Radebe