2017 Kia Rio (4th Generation)

It’s also a very roomy hatch, boasting legroom of 1070m at the front and 850mm in the rear.
Click to expand...
A kilometer is actually a lot of legroom...
 
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[VIDEO] First Look: Android Auto

I’ve written a fair amount about infotainment systems; including CarPlay and Android Auto, despite only accessing the latter via a demo with Ford at Mobile World Congress when SYNC 3 was announced. I’ve also spoken to several manufacturers about a year ago on why South Africans could not access Android Auto. The response was that licensing agreements were pending between Google and the South African government. And yes, that is the real reason why South Africans cannot download the app from the local Play Store officially, but it can still be accessed because Android is an open system and allows such things.

I had no reason to properly explore Android Auto until the Kia Rio was sent to me for a week to try out, due to me missing the launch event last month. So I opted to download the Android Auto apk (Android Package Kit), the original source of the app that appears in the Play Store in other regions around the world, where “officially” supported. After a quick Google search, I found a version on APK Mirror, the same place I downloaded Pokémon Go (but you can use any other website you want to, just make sure you are not clicking dodgy links). The reason I actively went looking this time was that Kia said it was available, while in the past, based on my communications with various manufacturers, they had said it was not live.

Word from Kia South Africa:

If you have a car that is Android Auto ready, I suggest you download the app and start using it today (link above). You may need to change your smartphone settings to allow downloads from outside sources. Smartphones are a huge part of our lives, and systems like CarPlay and Android Auto exist to make it safe to use our devices while keeping our eyes on the road.

Separately, Android Auto can be used on any Android 5 and above smartphone without an infotainment system + touchscreen. The app takes over your phone and the interface gives you limited options like accessing maps, calls and music so you can concentrate on the road. This app is ideal because you’re not likely to text and drive (you can’t while the app is running).

First off, if you’re using Android Auto on a supported vehicle, like I did on the Kia Rio, you will need a USB cable for it to work. This is set out by Google, but apparently wireless connectivity is coming soon. CarPlay already supports wireless connectivity (I tried this on the Volvo XC90). I don’t mind it too much as wireless connectivity could drain your battery. When I use my phone as a GPS (most times I’m on the road), my phone is plugged into a car charger anyway.

If you’re completely new to Android Auto, it is a system that is an extension of your Android smartphone that allows you to use your handset safely while driving. It pulls functionality from your phone, and thus not a separate system. There are some Android Auto compatible third party apps that works with it (see pic above). For a full list, click here.

Instead of typing a lot of stuff, here’s the quick run down/demo from connecting to Android Auto, to what commands you can use. It understood my accent most times.

I just want to point out that I intended to call my sister Saajida and send her texts for the demo but Google didn’t know I was saying “Saajida”. So yes, I ended up using myself on my other SIM for the demo as this device isn’t my primary one.

In a nutshell, Android Auto lets you call, text, search, get directions, set reminders, etc by voice commands; just like what CarPlay does. Both offerings are usually on the same vehicle (well here in South Africa from I’ve noticed). The steering wheel on the Kia Rio has a voice command button (as does most cars with smartphone pairing features), so you can press it while driving to get any of the above-mentioned commands seen to.

I did not get to show you, but you can also set reminders like “remind me to text Dad when I get home”. If your Google Maps has a “home” location set, then you will be reminded when you get there; otherwise you can choose a time for the reminder.

TL;DR version:

– Download the Android Auto app from APK Mirror (link above)
– Use a cable to connect your Android 5 and up handset to your car
– Once cable is connected to phone, go into the app via your car’s dashboard
– Your smartphone becomes inaccessible at this point (disconnect to use phone again)
– Use Google Now to take care of stuff while driving
– A bit obvious but you will need data to for the search and Maps feature

Final thoughts:

I had the choice to use both iOS and Android on the Rio and I opted for Android Auto for the sole reason that it gave me Google Maps navigation, which is my favourite GPS system (live traffic). I did use CarPlay briefly and used Siri to read out my messages and reply to them, and it worked well, too. But I’m all for Google Maps and would rather reply to messages afterwards (since I turned off push notifications for them anyway).

http://www.nafisa.co.za/video-first-look-android-auto/

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[video=youtube_share;y5F0v48z1fk]http://youtu.be/y5F0v48z1fk[/video]
 
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Kia Rio 1.4 Tec (2017) Review

Pricing and warranty

Kia no longer sees itself as a budget-beating brand and is proud to say that it competes at the top of the price cap in the segment. The 1.4 Tec manual is priced at R274 995, which is nearly the same as a Polo Highline and R20k more than the Renault Clio GT-Line.

Kia offers an excellent warranty and service plan on the Rio with a 5-year/unlimited km warranty and a 4-year/60 000 km service plan.

Verdict

The new Kia Rio’s most outstanding feature is its interior. It may not be as flashy as something like the Clio, but it’s solidly built, covered in leather and the infotainment system is bang up to date. The engine doesn’t deliver enough torque to make overtaking or acceleration particularly brisk, but it has just enough grunt to get around town comfortably.

Also consider that the 1.4 Tec's ride quality is on the less-than-absorbent side for what is essentially a city car, which it could become annoying to live with on a daily basis. And, if safety is high on your priority list, then the lack of stability control is disappointing.

For now, the Rio offers reasonable value-for-money, albeit at the upper end of the price spectrum. With what the upcoming Fiesta and Polo have to offer, the Rio will likely find itself in a sales battle with superior products in about a year's time. It's an impressive product, but it does not move the compact hatchback market forward in a significant enough manner.

http://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/kia-rio-14-tec-2017-review-with-video/43804/

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Tested: Kia's new Rio has a mature vibe

Styling is neat and tidy, but without any show-and-tell features it's somewhat generic.

After Kia wowed the world with its design flair in recent years, the styling of the new fourth-generation Rio has taken a more conservative and ‘mature’ turn.
It is like the prom queen donning glasses and tying her hair in a ponytail, leading to Kia’s new B-segment hatch being modern and attractive in a generic sort of way, but with no real show-and-tell design features. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as the market-leading VW Polo has demonstrated how sober styling doesn’t hamper sales.

The previous Rio was the Korean automaker’s best selling model worldwide so the new one has big shoes to fill, and it does so by laying on some extra refinement and sophistication to go with the matured styling. There’s more soundproofing to reduce engine and wind noise levels inside the cabin, while a stiffer front subframe minimises vibrations from poor road surfaces.

The Korean car also gets an interior redesign and improved infotainment. The cabin is neatly finished and has a high-quality feel including soft-touch surfaces, with polished metal strips to brighten up the black-dominated vibe. For improved ergonomics the dashboard is now angled towards the driver and the number of buttons on the dash has been reduced.

Tested here is the flagship Rio 1.4 Tec version selling for R274 995, which follows the trend of manufacturers super-speccing their small cars. Prices for the 1.4-litre Rio start from a more reasonable R235 000 if you’re willing to forego some of the fancier features, but the 1.4 Tec is fully stocked with items such as leather seats, automatic lights, rain-sensing wipers, automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, cruise control, LED tail lamps, and a Rear Park Assist System with reverse camera. Those are the kind of spec levels only luxury cars used to have not too long ago.

This range-topping Rio also gets a new infotainment system comprising a high-resolution 18cm touchscreen that’s compatible with Apple CarPlay and (subject to it becoming available in SA) Android Auto. A full gamut of music connectivity includes USB, Aux and Bluetooth, which Rio 1.4 Tec also incorporates Voice Recognition. Making the tweens happy is that there’s a USB port in the rear to charge their devices on the move.

There is no stability control, but the standard safety fare includes ABS brakes and a full complement of front, side and curtain airbags.

Legroom in the new Kia has grown slightly but space in the back seats is still pretty cramped for anyone larger than a tween, but boot space has grown 37 litres to a quite decent 325 litres. The boot contains a full sized spare wheel, and cabin oddments space includes a lidded bin between the front seats.

Engines are carried over from the third-generation Rio, namely two normally-aspirated petrol units: a 62kW/121Nm 1.2-litre and a 74kW/135Nm 1.4-litre. The 1.4 powering this range-topping Rio Tec is available with a six-speed manual (on test here) or four-speed auto gearbox for an extra 13 grand.

The new 88kW 1-litre, three-cylinder turbopetrol that Kia offers overseas is under consideration for our market and I’d say it should arrive sooner rather than later as performance-wise the 1.4 Rio lags behind its rivals, particularly the turbocharged ones at high altitude. It trundles along with sufficient pace for urban driving and is also reasonably capable on the open road, but downshifts are necessary to stay in the fast lane on climbs, while overtaking moves need to be planned well in advance.

The factory-quoted performance at sea level is a reasonable 176km/h top speed and 0-100km/h in 11.5 seconds, though Gauteng’s thin air will rob a fair-sized chunk of that acceleration figure. Fuel economy is what you’d expect, with our test car averaging 6.2 litres per 100km.

The four cylinder engine’s refinement is good, and the six-speed gearbox, which you’ll need to downshift fairly regularly out on the open road, moves with slick precision. Making for a sometimes jerky power delivery is a slight throttle lurch if you don’t rev it high enough before releasing the clutch, a brief power pause that’s characteristic of a number of manual Kias we’ve driven.

The Rio’s ride is fairly settled, neither particularly cushy nor choppy, and the handling is clean. The electric power steering’s very light which makes for effortless direction changes in the urban grind. Enthusiast drivers might prefer more steering meatiness but in a car like this, with no sporting aspirations, it’s not a major problem.

VERDICT

The new Rio’s grown up with more refinement and technology, but finds itself at the pricey end of the B-segment hatch market with a power deficit to its rivals, especially at high altitude against the turbocharged ones. It’s refined and solidly built, and packed with features, but that’s quite par for the course in this market segment. It has the best warranty but I don’t know if that’s necessarily enough to make this Rio stand out in a very competitive play pen. -Star Motoring

KIA RIO VS RIVALS

Kia Rio 1.4 Tec - 74kW/135Nm - R274 995

5-year/unlimited km warranty, 4-year/60 000 km service plan, 5-year/unlimited km roadside assistance

VW Polo hatch 1.2 TSI Highline 81kW/175Nm - R276 300

3-year/120 000km warranty, 3 year/45 000km service plan

Ford Fiesta 1.0T Titanium 92kW/170Nm - R264 900

4-year/120 000km warranty, 4-year/60 000km service plan, 3-year/unlimited km roadside assistance

Honda Jazz 1.5 Dynamic 88kW/145Nm - R294 200 (Elegance costs R276 700)

5-year/200 000km warranty, optional service plan, 3 years AA roadside assistance

Mazda2 1.5 Individual 82kW/145Nm - R243 300

3-year/unlimited km warranty, 3-year service plan, 3 years roadside assistance

Opel Corsa 1.4 Turbo Sport 110kW/220Nm - R275 600

5-year/120 000km warranty, 3-year/60 000km service plan.

Peugeot 208 1.2T GT Line 81kW/205Nm - R259 900

3-year/100 000km warranty, 3-year/45 000km service plan, 3 years/100 000km roadside assist

Renault Clio 1.2 turbo GT-Line 88kW/205Nm - 264 900

5-year/150 000km warranty, 3-Year/45 000km service plan

Toyota Yaris 1.5 Pulse 82kW/136Nm - R228 700

3-year/100 000km warranty, 3-year/45 000km service plan

https://www.iol.co.za/motoring/road-tests/tested-kias-new-rio-has-a-mature-vibe-10873133
 
"While the new Picanto continued to impress for Kia, again taking a place in the top ten, the only other model from the Korean automaker to add a strong contribution in August was the new Rio (504). For the record, the Sportage managed 70 units and the Cerato 21, while the Sorento (7), Grand Sedona (6) and Soul (4) each had to settle for single figures."

http://www.carmag.co.za/news_post/sas-10-best-selling-passenger-cars-of-august-2017/
 
Kia South Africa issues safety recall: More than 1200 Rio models affected

Kia South Africa will conduct a safety recall of approximately 1 266 Rio models (2017) to inspect the operation of the rear-door child locks.

More than 1200 Rio's affected

Kia Motors SA said: "Kia has advised that there may be some Rio vehicles where the child locking function of the rear door may be inoperative due to the actuator cable length being out of specification.

"The affected vehicles were assembled in Korea between 10 April 2017 and 5 June 2017, and approximately 1 266 Rio’s shipped to South Africa may be affected."

What should owners do?

Kia SA said: "Owners of the involved vehicles will receive telephonic notification from Kia Motors South Africa’s call centre, beginning in the week of 4 September 2017. Owners of the involved vehicles will be assisted in having their Kia dealer perform the inspection and, if necessary, repair of the rear-door child locks."

'No charge to the vehicle owner'

The automaker said: "The inspection is quick and simple, and should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete. Should the repair be carried out, it should take no longer than 1 hour, although customers should be aware that the time required to inspect and potentially repair is dependent on the vehicle’s position in the work queue on the day of the booking."

Kia said its dealers will implement this recall at "no charge to the vehicle owner".

Customer can find out whether their vehicle(s) are affected by entering their vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) via the KIA Motors South Africa website

Alternatively, customers can contact the Kia Motors South Africa on 010 596 2000.

http://www.wheels24.co.za/News/Indu...l-more-than-1200-rio-models-affected-20170904
 
Kia SA recalls new-generation Rio

Kia South Africa is conducting a voluntary safety recall on its recently-launched Rio hatchback, in order to inspect potentially faulty rear door child locks.

The campaign affects approximately 1266 Rio models assembled in South Korea between 10 April 2017 and 5 June 2017.

According to Kia, there may be some instances where the car’s child locking function is not working due to the actuator cable being the wrong length.

However, the inspection should take no longer than 10 minutes, Kia says, and if a repair is required it is likely to be completed within an hour, although the actual timeframe will also depend on the vehicle’s position in the work queue on the day of the booking.

Kia says its call centre will notify owners via telephone, starting this week.

Customers can also contact Kia on: (010) 596 2000.

https://www.iol.co.za/motoring/industry-news/kia-sa-recalls-new-generation-rio-11068608
 
Kia SA announces recall on 1 200+ new Rio models

Kia SA announces a voluntary safety recall on the 2017 Rio - some 1200+ affected.

Having just been launched in South Africa, the new-generation Kia Rio is the subject of a voluntary recall safety recall. The manufacturer estimates that 1 266 Kia Rio models imported to South Africa to have been affected by faulty rear-door child locks.

The culprit is an actuator cable that does not meet the necessary specification and was fitted to those Rios assembled in Korea between 10 April and 5 June 2017. As a result, the mechanism that locks the rear doors, and prevents children from opening them from the inside, may not work.

Kia can identify the batch number of the incorrect cables and the batch of Rio vehicles the cables may have been used in, but they cannot be 100% sure that the incorrect cables were used in all of those 1 266 vehicles – which is why they are recalling them to be checked.

“This is a safety critical item,” said Kia South Africa spokesperson Christo Valentyn, “so we are not taking any chances, especially as it involves children.”

Have you bought a new-generation Kia Rio?
If you have and your vehicle is part of the batch of 1 266 affected vehicles, then you can expect a call from Kia from this week onwards. You will be requested to take your car to the nearest specified Kia dealership, whereupon its service department will inspect your car for the faulty part and, if necessary, fit the correct cable while you wait, at no charge.

If you own a 2017 Rio and are uncertain whether your vehicle may be affected, you can also call Kia Motors South Africa’s call centre on 010 596 2000.

You can also head to its website recall.kia.co.za and enter your vehicles VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) after following the relevant links.

Additionally, you can test it yourself by activating the childlock and then trying to open the door from the inside. If it opens then you would need to bring the car in for the replacement part. Valentyn did say that Kia would however, prefer you to bring the car in anyway, to make 100% sure.

http://www.carmag.co.za/news_post/kia-sa-announces-recall-on-1-200-new-rio-models/
 
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