2017 Kia Rio (4th Generation)

Kia Rio (2017 Specs & Price

Kia Motors South Africa has introduced the latest iteration of the Rio compact hatchback into the local market. The model line-up comprises 4 derivatives powered by either 1.2- or 1.4-litre petrol engines, all of which are backed by a 5-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and 4-year/60 000 km service plan. Herewith the specifications...

We first got acquainted with the new Rio in Australia in January: Kia Rio (2017) International First Drive

The range begins with the 1.2 LS, which is powered by a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated motor that produces peak outputs of 62 kW and 120 Nm, emits 135 g/km and is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. This entry-level offering rides on 15-inch steel wheels, but features body-coloured bumpers.

In terms of interior features, the 1.2 LS comes equipped with air-conditioning, electric windows and side mirrors, a multifunction steering wheel with rake- and reach-adjustable column, a 4-speaker Radio/RDS/MP3 audio system with auxiliary and USB ports as well as Bluetooth connectivity, central locking (in conjunction with alarm and immobiliser), plus a remote boot unlocking feature. The rear seatback splits and folds in a 60/40 configuration.

The next derivative is the 1.4 LX, which is powered by a 1.4 litre naturally aspirated motor that produces peak outputs of 74 kW and 135 Nm, and mated with either with a 6-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission. The derivative rides on 15-inch alloy rims

The LX specification adds electric folding mirrors with integrated indicator lenses, automatically activated headlamps, fog lights, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearknob, centre console armrest, a 3.5 inch LCD dashboard information display and UV-protection solar windscreen glass.

The second-from-the-top 1.4 EX is also available in manual and automatic guises, includes visual upgrades in the shapes of projection-type headlamps with LED daytime running light and positioning lamps. The interior benefits from a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is Apple Car Play and Android Auto compatible, plus a reverse-view camera (with dynamic guidelines), as well as a rear parking assist system.

Finally, the flagship of the range is 1.4 TEC derivative, which is shod with eye-catching 17-inch alloys. The 1.4 TEC is also available in manual and automatic guises and over and above the specification of the 1.4 EX, the derivative comes equipped with LED tail lights, full leather trim, climate control, alloy pedals, a sunroof, rain-sensing wipers and auto-dipping rear view mirror.

In terms of safety, all derivatives come equipped with ABS, dual front airbags and ISOfix child seat mounting points, while the 1.4 TEC benefits from side- and curtain airbags as well.

Kia Rio prices in South Africa (June 2017)

1.2 LS R219 995
1.4 LX R234 995
1.4 EX R249 995
1.4 TEC R274 995

All prices include a 5-year/unlimIted kilometres warranty, 4-year/60 000 km service plan and 5-year unlimited kilometres roadside assistance.

http://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/kia-rio-2017-specs--price/43502/#.WTgjWFV95hE
 
Alright Kia is finally catching on with the infotainment system... nice... now they just have to catch on with those active and passive safety features...
 
Turbo may follow

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Interesting to see that the infotainment system is not standard on all derivatives...I wonder how the dashboard looks of the models without it?
 
Oh yes and also disappointed to see the power output of the 1.4 drop with 5kW, I personally feel it felt a little underpowered in the previous generation already. We need that turbo model! I guess the possibility is strong, seeing that the new Picanto should have the turbo model, and we're seeing more and more turbo models in new Hyundai/Kia's released here.
 
Next-gen Kia Rio arrives in SA: Prices, details and gallery

• New Kia Rio launched locally
• All-new exterior, modern cabin
• 325-litres luggage capacity

Kia’s all-new Rio has arrived in South Africa. The latest hatchback, now in its fourth generation, sport’s a new exterior, redesigned interior and a host of new technologies.

The new Rio is also offered in four specifications (LS, LX, EX and TEC), one more derivative than the outgoing range. The new hatchback is powered by revised versions of Kia’s 1.2 and 1.4-litre petrol engines.

Overall, the new car is 15mm longer than its predecessor (4m in length) and 5mm lower (now 1.4m tall), with a 10mm longer wheelbase (up to 2.5m).

Kia says its prices are ‘virtually unchanged’ from the outgoing version, from R219 995 for the LX and R274 995 for the TEC variant. All versions are sold with an optional auto for an additional R13 000.

Power

The 1.2-litre produces 62kW/120Nm while the 1.4-litre is capable of 74kW/135Nm. Both engines apply power to the front wheels via a five-speed manual (Rio 1.2) or a six-speed manual transmission (Rio 1.4-litre). A four-speed automatic transmission is available for 1.4-litre versions.

New design

At the front, the Rio wears the latest evolution of the automaker’s ‘tiger-nose’ grille, now thinner in height and wider across the front of the car, with a gloss black grille mesh and surround. The grille is integrated with the new headlights, is sculpted for a sharper look, and features a new U-shaped LED daytime running light signature (model dependent).


The Rio’s side vents – which house the car’s fog lights – are moved outwards and upwards in the front bumper. Its longer bonnet features bracket-shaped creases that run down from the base of the A-pillars to the grille and headlights.

High specification variants are available with LED tail lights with a new arrow-shaped light signature.

The new Rio is available in a choice of 8 colours, with two different aluminium alloy wheel designs in 15- and 17” diameters. Entry-level versions are fitted with 15” steel wheels and wheel covers.

New interior

The cabin receives re-profiled door trims, the adoption of new headlining materials, and changes to the shape of the dashboard, as well as more significant changes to the bodyshell.

Furthermore, thinner C-pillars – reduced in width by 87mm – and relocated door mirrors (moved up to the base of the A-pillar) help minimise blind spots and improve visibility. Luggage capacity is increased by 37 litres to 325 litres.

The range

The entry-level Rio LS, only available with a 1.2-litre engine, features aircon, power windows, power side-mirrors, central locking (with an alarm and immobiliser), a radio system with RDS as well as MP3, Aux and USB connectivity, four speakers, steering wheel-mounted remote audio controls, rake and reach adjustable steering, manual headlight adjustment, and a rear USB port.

The Rio LX, only available with a 1.4-litre engine, adds UV protection windscreen glass, fog lights, LEDs, 15” alloys, a centre console armrest, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear-shift lever and Kia’s ‘Supervision’ instrument cluster. The audio system gains two more speakers. In addition, the LX has auto-folding side-mirrors with integrated indicators and auto headlights.

The EX (1.4-litre only) gains projection headlights and rear LEDs, 7” touchscreen that incorporates rear park assist and rear-view camera. The infotainment system also features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for smartphone integration.

The Rio’s *Android Auto system is designed to work with Android phones running 5.0 (Lollipop) or higher while Apple CarPlay is designed for iPhone 5 or newer devices.

The top-of-the-range TEC (1.4 only) adds machine-finished 17” alloys, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, cruise control, electro chromatic rear-view mirror, alloy pedals and leather upholstery.

Safety

Along with driver’s and passenger’s airbags (including side and curtain airbags in the TEC model), the new Rio has front seatbelt pre-tensioners with load limiters, side-door impact beams front and rear child locks and impact sensing-door unlocking.

Isofix child seat anchors are standard as is ABS.

2017 Kia Rio prices:

Rio 1.2 LS Manual - R219 995
Rio 1.4 LX Manual - R234 995
Rio 1.4 EX Manual - R249 995
Rio 1.4 TEC Manual - R274 995

All models are available with an optional automatic transmission for an additional R13 000. A sunroof is available as an option on the Rio TEC for an additional R8500.

The Rio is sold with a 5-year or unlimited kilometres warranty, inclusive of 5-years or Unlimited Kilometres Roadside Assistance, as standard, as well as a 4-year or 60 000km Service Plan.

*Android Auto is not currently available in South Africa, but the all-new Rio nevertheless comes prepared for when the App becomes available.

http://www.wheels24.co.za/NewModels/2017-kia-rio-in-sa-prices-details-20170608
 
New Kia Rio hits SA: check out local pricing here...

Back in September 2016, Kia Motors revealed the fourth-generation Rio hatchback. And now – with more than 37 000 units of the third-gen Rio sold in South Africa – the new model has launched on our shores.

At launch, the local range comprises hatchbacks only (sedans variants may come at a later stage), with pricing starting at R219 995 (interestingly, unchanged from the outgoing entry-level model) for the 1,2 LS variant. This 1,2-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine makes 62 kW (three units down on its predecessor, likely due to tweaks in the name of efficiency) and 120 N.m, and is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

All other derivatives employ the Korean automaker’s 1,4-litre (also naturally aspirated) four-pot petrol, which provides the front wheels with 74 kW (down five units) and 135 N.m. This engine can be paired with either a six-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. Specifying the latter comes at the cost of R13 000.

Kia Motors SA says that a new 1,0-litre turbo-triple may follow at a later stage.

The base LS specification includes two airbags, steel wheels, manual air-conditioning, electric windows, electric side-mirrors and a four-speak sound system, while the LX trim adds the likes of 15-inch alloys, automatic headlamps, a central armrest, foglamps, leather trim for the steering wheel and a 3,5-inch LCD.

EX furthermore adds alloys, LED daytime running lights, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system (set up for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and a reversing camera. The flagship TEC model, meanwhile, gains 17-inch alloys, LED tail-lamps, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, an electro-chromatic rear-view mirror, alloy pedals, leather seats, the option of a sunroof (for R8 500) and extra airbags.

All models features Kia’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and four-year/60 000 km service plan.

Pricing:

Kia Rio 1,2 LS: R219 995
Kia Rio 1,4 LX: R234 995
Kia Rio 1,4 LX auto: R247 995
Kia Rio 1,4 EX: R249 995
Kia Rio 1,4 EX auto: R262 995
Kia Rio 1,4 TEC: R274 995
Kia Rio 1,4 TEC auto: R287 995

http://www.carmag.co.za/news_post/new-kia-rio-hits-sa-check-out-local-pricing-here/

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bluepoole said:
That must be it - still looks nice yes. Impressed to see the new models come in at the same price point as the outgoing ones.
Click to expand...

Very impressed as well, that interior looks miles ahead of the competition, just one side question for all, does Peter Schreyer design for both Kia and Hyundai? because the latter seems not to be hitting the mark, at least for me, or is it perhaps a deliberate thing to push Kia up?
 
thechamp said:
Very impressed as well, that interior looks miles ahead of the competition, just one side question for all, does Peter Schreyer design for both Kia and Hyundai? because the latter seems not to be hitting the mark, at least for me, or is it perhaps a deliberate thing to push Kia up?
Click to expand...

He is the "designer big shot" for the Hyundai-Kia group but seems to focus more on the Kia side of things. That said, he designed the new Tuscon and i30.

I think the Tuscon is the nicest looking Hyundai in years...the brand new Elantra and Creta are also not too bad. Before these models, Hyundai's styling and interior design was OK-ish for me, but now I like them very much again. The Tuscon is actually better looking than the new Sportage in my opinion, and the new i30 is not too bad either, although it looks very similar to the new Rio
 
Driven: Kia's 'grown up' Rio reaches SA

Back in 2011 Kia’s local representatives were given the task of predicting how many South Africans would want to buy the then-new, third-generation Rio and, for the first year’s allocation, they boldly ordered ten times what the previous version had sold in its final year. The South Koreans at HQ clearly thought our local lads were smoking their socks, and yet in the end it actually sold more than double that.

Since then Kia has gone on to sell over 7000 Rios a year on average and it’s also become one of the carmaker’s most popular models abroad. So a lot is riding on the all-new, fourth-generation Rio that you see here, which was launched to the media in Johannesburg this week.

The first thing you’ll notice is that Kia’s design team has played it rather safe with the styling. You could certainly accuse it of being conservative, but in my opinion it’s a pleasing kind of conservative, the dignified, easy-on-the-eye, not-a-line-out-of-place kind that also seems to work well for Volkswagen.

That newfound maturity continues inside the cabin, where high-quality materials and a sculpted design create a more upscale, even slightly sporty vibe, and the top half of the range gets an 18cm touch-screen infotainment system that’s compatible with Apple CarPlay and (subject to it becoming available in SA) Android Auto.

The new Rio is 5mm lower than its predecessor but has grown 15mm in length, 10mm of that having gone into the wheelbase. Rear legroom is fairly ample and boot space has increased by 37 litres to what Kia call’s a class-leading 325 litres.

Kia won’t be offering a sedan version of the new Rio, at least for now, as it’s not currently available in right-and drive. However Kia is busy building a new factory in India and it’s very likely that SA will be able to source RHD sedans from there when it comes on stream in 2019. The current sedan will continue to be offered until at least the end of this year.

The new hatch is being launched with two carry-over normally aspirated four-cylinder engines in the form of a 62kW/120Nm 1.25-litre and 74kW/135Nm 1.4. The smaller engine is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox only, while the larger unit can be had with either a six-speed manual or four-speed auto. While power is down slightly on their predecessors, there is more torque available lower in the rev range.

I got to sample a 1.4-litre manual model on a short launch route and the car felt easy and painless to drive, and while engine performance felt perfectly adequate for fast-paced city driving, it’s not in the same league as the turbo-charged engines that some of its rivals are offering in this price range, particularly at altitude.

But what about the new 88kW 1-litre, three-cylinder turbopetrol that Kia offers overseas? Kia SA’s Marketing Director David Sieff told us that it is under consideration for our market, just not within the next six months and ultimately it’ll depend on how those pricing planets align.

The current range does at least offer a good selection of trim grades:

1.2 LS (above) kicks off the range, offering air conditioning, a four-speaker MP3/Aux/USB audio system linked to steering wheel controls, central locking with alarm, electric windows and mirrors, and the steering wheel is adjustable for both height and reach.

1.4 LX, in addition to getting the bigger engine, replaces the base model’s 15-inch covered steel wheels for a set of alloys of the same size and also adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic light control, a centre console arm rest and UV protection solar windscreen glass.

1.4 EX adds the 18cm touch-screen with rear-park assist and reverse camera, and this deputy flagship also comes with projector headlights and LED taillights.

1.4 TEC tops the pile with added luxuries such as leather seats, cruise control, electro chromatic rear-view mirror and rain-sensing windscreen wipers.

All versions come with a five-year unlimited-kilometre warranty and four-year/60 000km service plan.

KIA RIO PRICES

1.2 LS manual62kW/120NmR219 995
1.4 LX manual74kW/135NmR234 995
1.4 LS auto74kW/135NmR247 995
1.4 EX manual74kW/135NmR249 995
1.4 EX auto74kW/135NmR262 995
1.4 TEC manual74kW/135NmR274 995
1.4 TEC auto74kW/135NmR287 995

ALTERNATIVES

Base-spec:

Suzuki Baleno 1.4 GL68kW/130NmR199 900
Renault Clio 0.9T Authentique66kW/140NmR206 900
Mazda2 1.5 Active82kW/145NmR215 100
Kia Rio 1.2 LS Manual62kW/120NmR219 995
Hyundai i20 1.2 Motion61kW/115NmR224 900
Ford Fiesta 1.0T Ambiente92kW/170NmR225 300
VW Polo 1.2 TSI Trendline66kW/160NmR226 900

Mid-spec:

Toyota Yaris 1.5 Pulse82kW/136NmR228 700
Suzuki Baleno 1.4 GLX68kW/130NmR229 900
Ford Fiesta 1.0T Trend92kW/170NmR240 900
Renault Clio 0.9T Dynamique66kW/140NmR244 900
Kia Rio 1.4 EX74kW/135NmR249 995
VW Polo 1.2 TSI Comfortline66kW/160NmR253 100
Hyundai i20 1.4 Fluid74kW/133Nm R261 900

http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/latest-launches/driven-kias-grown-up-rio-reaches-sa-9626396
 
Kia Rio (2017) Launch Review

The new Kia Rio has arrived in South Africa and it promises better comfort, improved refinement and a quieter ride amongst other enhancements. We drove it at the launch in Johannesburg to get a feel for the Volkswagen Polo rival.

The 2011 Rio was a relatively big hit for the brand in SA and Kia claims that around 37 000 units found homes here. Much of the Rio's success can be attributed to its design, which is imbued with a stylish exterior that made it noticeable in the large crowd of B-segment hatchbacks. This latest 2017 model aims to improve and refine the winning formula rather than reinventing itself like the 2011 model did.

What’s new?

The Rio has grown 15mm in length, been lowered by 5mm and had its wheelbase extended by 10mm. Minor changes, but they have positive knock-on effects in terms of passenger space and aerodynamic efficiency. The exterior design is still distinctive and the new front grille creates a purposeful front-on appearance. LED lights are available on certain models and a new rear lighting signature is noticeable when the brakes are applied. Wheel options are offered in 15- and 17-inch sizes.

Kia's new Tiger Nose grille is larger and integrates with the headlights better.

Inside, Kia has taken the opportunity to give the Rio a new infotainment system and a rework of some of the materials inside. Most of the surfaces are hard plastic but it isn’t scratchy or nasty to touch. There are some glossy Piano black finishings around the air vents and a slither of leather on the passenger dash area.

The engines

There’s an entry-level 1.2 LS derivative that gets a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine with 62 kW and 120 Nm of torque. We didn’t get a chance to drive it, so we’ll reserve judgment for now. The rest of the new Rio range is powered by a 1.4-litre naturally aspirated engine and it delivers 74 kW and 135 Nm of torque. We drove this in the top-spec Tec derivative and at the Reef it lacked the low range grunt that the competition delivers with their turbo petrol 1.2-litre units. The 1.4 requires a lot of shifting of the 6-speed manual tranmsission to keep the engine on the boil, but this doesn’t seem to adversely affect the fuel consumption which was hovering around 7.0 L/100 km.

Top spec 1.4 Tec comes with 17-inch wheels and rear PDC and camera. It's also the only model with stability control.

Ride comfort

Despite the lacklustre engine, the Rio delivers a much-improved ride. It’s supple over bumps and holds firm when coaxed through bends. The steering feels better, too! The old Rio had a very light and vague feel to it where the new Rio seems to be better weighted and offers a more direct connectedness to the wheels. It’s quiet in the cabin with very little wind heard at speed and road noise is kept to a mere faint background murmur.

Tech update

In the higher spec 1.4 EX and Tec, the Rio is equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen multimedia system. It’s one of the better units in the segment and also features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The other basics such as USB, Bluetooth and an Aux. port are also standard.

Tec also features a full leather interior and a new 7-inch infotainment system that is Apple CapPlay capable.

In terms of safety, all models come with ABS brakes and at least two airbags. At the top-end (Tec) there are 6 airbags installed as well as ESC (Electronic Stability Control), however, it would be nice to see this passive safety feature as standard across the range like it is in the Corsa, Clio and Polo. A rear-view camera with park distance control is standard in the Tec and EX models too.

Space and practicality

The Rio feels like a spacious car, especially up front where extra room has been given to the passenger. Rear roominess appears adequate and certainly a match for the competition. The rear seats can be folded down flat in a 60:40 split and the boot is one of the largest in the segment, measuring 325-litres. This compares favourably with the Polo that only has 280-litres.

Pricing and warranty

Kia has managed to keep the pricing almost identical to the outgoing model. It has done this with a favourable exchange rate of late and means that the Rio offers a touch more value-for-money. It still sits at the top of the B-segment price range however. The Rio is backed by Kia’s 5-year/unlimited km warranty and 4-year/60 000 km service plan.

Rio 1.2 LS Manual - R219 995

Rio 1.4 LX Manual - R234 995

Rio 1.4 EX Manual - R249 995

Rio 1.4 TEC Manual - R274 995

http://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/kia-rio-2017-launch-review/43510/

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Notice the CarPlay & AA icons:

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Driven: 2017 Kia Rio 1.4 Tec

Fact: Kia South Africa’s best-selling model is the Rio. The South Korean automaker has sold 37 327 Rio models from 2011 to 2016.

The automaker has launched its fourth-generation Rio hatchback locally and I drove through it in the bustling metropolis of Joburg.

The only derivative available to media was the top-of-the-range ‘Tec’ model, which retails for R274 995 (six-speed manual)... you’ll have to fork out an additional R13 000 for the optional four-speed auto if that’s your preference.

The model line-up remains the same except for an EX specification model that retails for R249 995. Hats off to Kia for maintaining the prices or just marginally increasing them depending on which model you buy.

Is it a good city car?

I’ll start with the positives: noise, vibration and harshness levels are on par with the segment-dominating Volkswagen Polo, that’s due to re-profiled door trims and new headlining materials.

It’s also a very roomy hatch, boasting legroom of 1070m at the front and 850mm in the rear. The boot is an impressive 325 litres large with thinner c-pillars offering a reduced blind spot compared to the previous model.

The new generation Rio is as comfortable as its predecessor, the new car has a stiffer bodyshell which offers a more compliant ride even while traversing Joburg’s pothole-scarred roads.

Kia says the latest model offers 5% quicker steering ratio by virtue of re-positioning the power steering gearbox.

The steering is light and airy, exactly what city-dwelling drivers need. It lacks any proper feedback or feel, which, considering its market, isn’t a bad thing.

The 1.4-litre petrol engine sans a turbocharger produces 74kW/135Nm. It felt gutless on the Reef (read: high altitude) and the test car, fresh off the shipping container, only had 400km on the odometer.

The sixth gear (or overdrive as it's also known) seems like a waste because there’s simply nothing left for it to push along, so a five-speeder would have sufficed.

My drive was very brief, but I can draw a few conclusions from it; Kia has done exceptionally well to offer the new gen Rio at pretty much the same price as the outgoing model.

The entry-level LS model offers aircon, power windows, power side-mirrors, central locking (with an alarm and immobiliser), radio (with MP3, Aux and USB connectivity), multifunction steering wheel, rake and reach adjustable steering and a rear USB port.

The EX and Tec models are Android-ready and I could link up to the efficient Apple Carplay in seconds.

It’s now more kitted-out than before, with better NVH and more space it’s an option consumers shouldn’t ignore and I’ll bet a lot of money they won’t. Peace of mind comes in the form of a five- year or unlimited km warranty as standard.

Does it move the B-segment forward in a tangible way? No, but with junk status and escalating car prices, downsizing makes a lot of sense for buyers and automaker's alike. And I have no doubt the Rio will continue to be a best seller locally for the brand.

Rio range pricing

1.2 LS Manual - R219995

1.4 LX Manual - R234 995

1.4 EX Manual - R249 995

1.4 TEC Manual - R274 995

More from Kia

The fourth generation Rio sedan is no longer built in right-hand drive and thus won’t be available locally, Kia has opted to sell the third gen along the new hatch.

Kia will launch its all-new Picanto in July 2017 and possibly the best news is that the Stinger, Kia’s fastest accelerating car yet will be available in 2018. Kia Motors South Africa says the Stinger is not yet confirmed for the local market, but is looking into availability in SA.

http://www.wheels24.co.za/NewModels/driven-2017-kia-rio-14-tec-20170609
 
DRIVEN: KIA RIO 1,4 TEC MANUAL

Despite being in the final calendar year of its lifecycle, the previous (third-) generation Kia Rio sold in excess of 450 000 units globally. That figure speaks to not only Kia’s continued popularity in various markets across the world, but also of the outgoing Rio’s widespread appeal. It introduced the next evolution of a new and exciting design language courtesy of celebrated penman Peter Schreyer, added loads of kit to a spacious, well-built interior and bundled the whole package in palatable pricing. No pressure on this fourth-generation model to continue the successful legacy, then…

What’s new?

Penned by Kia’s design centres in Germany and California, the new Rio refines the previous-generation model’s curvaceous bodywork into something more geometric and, dare we say it, upmarket. Featuring a wider Tiger Nose grille stretching into the projector headlamps (framed by U-shaped daytime-running lights) on the flagship TEC model, 17-inch alloys on low-profile tyres and arrow-shaped LEDs aft, the new Rio 1,4 TEC is one of the best-looking cars in its class (especially painted in the Smoke Blue hue of the vehicle in the images). Lesser models ride on either 15-inch steel or alloy wheels.

Sat on a revised version of the outgoing Rio’s platform, itself already one of the longest in the class and now stretching 10 mm further between the axles, the new model has a larger cabin that provided just enough head- and legroom on the rear bench for my 1,85-metre frame to fit behind the front seat when set to my preferred driving position. And that’s not something all B-segment hatches can boast. The boot, likewise, is one of the segment’s biggest at a claimed 325 litres.

Up front, the biggest change on the new model is the inclusion of an easy-to-use seven-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay (Android Auto is not yet supported) and Bluetooth. The screen sits proud of a reprofiled facia featuring a soft-touch strip, tasteful brightwork on the climate control knobs and a lower-sited section with a 12 V socket, aux-in and USB ports and a stowage shelf.

Perceived quality is typically Kia solid, although some plastics don’t feel like an improvement on those used in the previous Rio. That said, rattles and squeaks were absent on the vehicles we drove on the Reef-based launch that took in the Johannesburg CBD’s pockmarked roads.

And on the move?

Sadly, Kia Motors South Africa has decided not to import the Rio with the company’s new (and reportedly excellent) three-cylinder turbopetrol – although it is under consideration – and has chosen to stick with the familiar 1,2- and 1,4-litre naturally aspirated petrol engines. A diesel model was ruled out early on.

The 1,4-litre produces 73 kW (6 kW less than before, but the brand promises improvements in fuel consumption) at 6 300 r/min and 135 N.m at 4 200 r/min. That latter figure is telling; rival vehicles using small-displacement petrol engines, such as the Polo, Fiesta, 208 and Corsa, develop on average 35 N.m of torque more at far lower revs. And that means they feel more sprightly than the Rio, at least at oxygen-starved altitude. Judicious use of the slick-shifting six-speed manual gearbox is necessary to keep the 1,4-litre engine in its 3 500-5 000 r/min sweet spot, but even then the Rio struggles to maintain momentum on slight inclines.

More impressive is the balance between composed handling and a comfortable ride. Body roll is well suppressed, the ride is fair considering the 45-profile tyres on the TEC model (there’s some bump-thump, but the ride does feel more controlled than before) and the electric steering is progressive and excellently geared. The suppression of road and wind noise – which enjoyed considerable attention from Kia’s engineers – is commendable.

Anything else to note?

There are four models in the new Rio line-up. The range kicks off with the 1,2 LS at R219 995 (the same price as before), moves on to the 1,4 LX (it introduces 15-inch alloys, LED daytime-running lights, a centre armrest, leather trim on the steering wheel and gear lever, among other items) at R234 995 and seems to hit a perfect balance with the 1,4 EX for R15 000 more (Kia adds that seven-inch screen, PDC with a reverse-view camera and LED rear lamps). The 1,4 TEC, at R274 995, chucks in 17-inch alloys, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, as well as cruise control, an electro-chromatic rear-view mirror, alloy pedals and leather upholstery. All models feature ABS with EBD and BA, two airbags (and six on the TEC) and Isofix anchorages on the rear bench. No ESC, sadly, but it does have a great warranty at five years/unlimited kilometres and a four-year/60 000 km service plan. All models are available with a four-speed automatic transmission at an additional R13 000.

So, what’s the verdict?

I’m not quite sure, really… In a market that’s overrun with immensely talented contenders (and, don’t forget, the new VW Polo and Ford Fiesta are around the corner), the Rio remains a solid, viable option. But… In 2017, the 1,4-litre engine feels outdated in terms of its performance, general refinement – it gets noisy above 4 000 r/min, where it has to spend a considerable amount of time – and fuel consumption (I posted an average of 8,1 L/100 km over a weekend of relaxed driving following the press launch).

Lastly, R274 995 for this 1,4 TEC is difficult to justify when a range of excellent competitors are less expensive (and considering it finds itself priced among loads of C-segment hatchbacks). I suspect the 1,4 EX might be the Rio of choice, but taking into account Kia sold more 1,4 TECs in the previous Rio range than any other model, this flagship looks set to again capture the imagination of buyers locally and abroad. But I do wish Kia SA had launched with that 1,0-litre triple…

FAST FACTS

Model: Kia Rio 1,4 TEC manual
Price: R274 995
Engine: 1,4-litre, 4-cyl, petrol
Power: 74 kW @ 6 300 r/min
Torque: 135 N.m @ 4 200 r/min
0-100 km/h: 11,5 seconds est
Top Speed: 176 km/h
Fuel Consumption: n/a
CO2: 137 g/km
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Maintenance Plan: 4 years/60 000 km

http://www.carmag.co.za/driving_impression/driven-kia-rio-14-tec-manual/

Rio.JPG
 
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