Rio's Grand

Not necessarily the first car to spring to mind when thinking of an economical small hatchback, the Kia Rio doesn’t just shine; it really shows you all it can. Richard Gooding prepares to be dazzled

1,786. That’s the number of cars Kia sold in 1991, the first full year of sales in the UK. Last year, 72,090 Kias found UK homes. Its star is shining ever brighter thanks in part to cars like the rejuvenated Rio tested here. Launched in 2000, this third-generation car came along in 201, and with it brought a much‑needed dose of style. Kias of the 2010s include many technological advancements, too, and the Rio 1 1.1 CRDi EcoDynamics boasts a range of fuel-saving technologies. Add keen pricing to the equation, and the economically-minded Rio seems an ideal candidate to appear on the GreenFleet radar.

Confident style
The latest Kias are styled by Peter Schreyer, former Audi design chief and designer of the first-generation TT. That pedigree shows. While the Rio is undoubtedly a conventional supermini to look at, it has a bold, confident and assured style. The ‘Tiger-nose’ grille looks good, while the window line rises towards the rear, where a Mk 1 SEAT Leon-inspired rear end almost gives a coupé‑like stance. Its a handsome car, even in basic ‘1’ trim.

The good news continues inside. The large cabin is well‑built and features a nicely‑styled dashboard. Highlights include the row of toggle-like switches for the more basic functions and a multifunction steering wheel with audio and trip computer controls. There many be lots of plastic, but that makes the Rio more ‘honest’. It has no pretensions and lots of room, feeling half a size above rivals such as the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo.

For its £11,895 price, the Rio is well‑equipped. Even though the ‘1’ is on the lower rung of the Rio ladder, electrically-adjustable door mirrors, steering wheel-mounted audio and multifunction computer controls, four‑speaker CD/MP3/RDS radio system with aux-in and iPod inputs, Electronic Stability Control, Vehicle Stability Management, Hill-start Assist Control, six airbags, and remote central locking all feature. EcoDynamics variants are equipped with fuel-saving technologies: Intelligent Stop & Go technology (ISG), low rolling resistance tyres, gearshift indicator, as well as a gloss black extended rear spoiler.

Lowest Emissions
Powered by a new 1,120cc three‑cylinder diesel engine, the Rio ‘1’ 1.1 CRDi EcoDynamics has, at 85g/km, one of the lowest emissions figures in its class. Beating the Vauxhall Corsa 1.3CDTi (88g/km) and the Peugeot 208 Access+ 1.4 e-HDi Stop & Start EGC 70 (87g/km), the Renault Clio Eco² dCi 90 Stop & Start is only marginally cleaner (83g/km). But at £14,545, the French contender is £2,650 more expensive. Developing 74bhp and 125lb ft of torque at 1500-2750rpm, the Rio accelerates well, the three-cylinder unit producing a pleasing thrum typical of the breed. The engine does sound a little thrashy when revved hard, but the performance is smooth. The standard six-speed manual gearbox operates with precision and the Rio lives up to the ‘dynamics’ in its EcoDynamics name, too. The Korean supermini handles well with accurate steering and good damping, soaking up imperfections with impunity.

The ISG stop/start system works in the same way as systems from other manufacturers, and can be turned off via a dashboard switch. For the price, the Rio ‘1’ 1.1 CRDi EcoDynamics is quite technological – Kia has developed a kick-down switch for the accelerator to prevent unintentional full-throttle use, while the power-steering system is driven by motors and not directly off the engine, further promoting better fuel economy. The ISG system is also well thought-out with ‘intelligent’ alternator management which reduces the drain on the battery during acceleration and recharges it when coasting or braking.

Convincing Package
Of course, all of this technology would be of no consequence if it didn’t yield good fuel economy returns. So it’s rewarding that it does. During a week of mixed route commuting, I managed to coax a high of 73.6mpg out of the Rio, while the week’s ‘real-world’ average of 63.0mpg isn’t to be sniffed at. With a 43-litre fuel tank, that’s a potential range of almost 570 miles. Kia quotes an official combined cycle fuel economy figure of 88.3mpg, which, if achieved, would extend fill-ups still further.

The Rio saves on other costs, too; VED is £0, BIK is a competitive 13%, and it sits in insurance group 3. Add in a 100,000-mile, seven-year warranty, as well as 20,000-mile servicing intervals, and the Rio puts forward a convincing package. The previous Rio owned a 1.1% share of the fleet market and Kia is confidently predicting that this will improve further. Its confidence isn’t unfounded. I found the Rio to be an unpretentious, honest and hugely enjoyable small car. Kia’s slogan is ‘The Power To Surprise’. Rio did. And then some.

Kia Rio 1 1.1 CRDi

ENGINE: 1,120cc, three-cylinder diesel
CO2: 85g/km
MPG (combined): 88.3
VED: Band A, £0
BIK: 13%
PRICE (OTR): £11,895 (incl VAT)