Kia Rio (05-11) - Review

Two adults or three children will happily fit in the back comfortably and there's good leg and head room too. The Rio only comes as a five-door, so getting in the back, or fitting child seats, is simple. The seats could do with more support and padding, but the soft ride means long journeys are comfortable. For a small car the Rio is quiet enough at low speeds, but on the motorway there's noticeable wind noise, while the petrol engine is fairly vocal at high revs.

The Rio has a 270-litre boot, which is about the same as most small hatchbacks. The tailgate is quite wide so getting larger objects in is possible, but there's quite a high boot lip in the way. However, the rear seats fold (although not totally flat) to give a usefully long load floor. Cabin storage includes a box in the dashboard, cupholders and a tray in front of the gear lever. There's also a card slot in the dash - useful for pay-as-you-exit car park tickets.

A good driving position with plenty of adjustment means it's easy to get comfortable, while all-round visibility is excellent. Kia has opted for a simple, functional look for its dash layout, which means the buttons are logically placed and well grouped. It's not especially modern or sophisticated, but from behind the wheel, the Rio doesn't feel like a budget car. The majority of the plastics used are good quality, the seat material is attractive and the cabin is a pleasant place to be.