Kia Rio (05-11) - Review

Review by David Ross on
Last Updated: 05 January 2010
The Kia Rio is a small hatchback that's often overlooked in favour of more stylish or well known makes. But the Rio has plenty going for it, especially as a good value and cheap to run town car. It's robustly built with a neat interior, the majority of models are well equipped and it's also easy to drive with light steering. It doesn't feel especially modern inside, nor on the move where it lacks refinement and can be quite noisy at higher speeds. But both engines in the range are more than capable and return decent economy, making the Rio cheap to run. All models from January 2010 come with an unrivalled seven-year warranty as standard, replacing the previous three year scheme.
3 out of 5

Other Kia reviews

4 out of 5

Equipment

Most versions of the Rio are well equipped, but the basic versions are quite sparse and standard equipment includes power steering, steel wheels, child seat anchor points with a top tether, drive and passenger airbag, a CD stereo and tilt-adjustable steering. GS models add air conditioning, front electric windows, central locking, alloy wheels, front fog lamps and seat height adjustment. The LX gets a leather steering wheel and gear lever, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, remote central locking, 15-inch alloys, chrome interior trim, front and rear electric windows, side and curtain airbags and a driver's seat armrest. The Sport trim includes climate control, metal pedals, chrome grille, rear spoiler, red stitched steering wheel and gear lever, trip computer and a sunroof. The line-up was later renamed with Rio, Rio 2 and Rio 3 replacing the original names. Sport remains unchanged and equipment levels are pretty much the same. There are plenty of special edition models too such as Zapp, Ice and Black which get extra equipment.

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Compare Equipment

Trim

Equipment

Key:

Standard item

Optional item

  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • ABS
  • Air conditioning
  • Alarm
  • Alloy wheels
  • Body coloured bumpers
  • CD
  • Central locking
  • Climate control
  • Cloth seat trim
  • Driver`s airbag
  • Electric mirrors
  • Folding rear seats
  • Front electric windows
  • Front fog lights
  • Full size spare wheel
  • Heated mirrors
  • Height adjustable drivers seat
  • Isofix child seat anchor points
  • Metallic Paint
  • PAS
  • Passenger`s airbag
  • Rear electric windows
  • Remote locking
  • Side airbags
  • Space saver spare wheel
  • Steel wheels
  • Steering wheel rake adjustment
Standard Trim S 1 GS Ice Zapp Chill Domino 2 Black Strike 2 IPD LS 3 LS Red LX Sport Graphite
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