The new Kia Rio supermini launched recently and is likely to appeal to fleet drivers looking for something compact, well equipped and cheap to run.
Low BIK across the range; just avoid the auto
The new Rio is available with a choice of petrol and diesel engines – but it’s the latterthat is particularly frugal, capable of returning a claimed 80.7mpg in lower-powered 76hp form. If you opt for the more powerful version with 89hp, this falls slightly to 74.3mpg.
BIK costs for the 1.4-litre CRDi diesel come in at 18% in 1 and 2 trims, while a higher-spec Rio 3 is rated at 19%.
• Kia Rio 1 1.4 CRDi ISG – 92g/km CO2, £40 per month*
• Kia Rio 2 1.4 CRDi ISG – 92g/km CO2, £46 per month*
• Kia Rio 3 1.4 CRDi ISG – 98g/km CO2, £54 per month*
The new 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine is cheaper to buy than the diesel, but also just as cheap when it comes to company car tax.
It’s also the most efficient of the petrol engines with 62.8mpg claimed fuel economy, plus it’s the most powerful with outputs of 100 or 120hp, which will appeal to those regularly driving out of town and in need of some extra muscle to get to motorway speeds.
In 2 and 3 trims, it falls into the 17% BIK tax bracket, which adds up to the following company car costs:
• Kia Rio 2 100hp 1.0 T-GDi ISG – 102g/km CO2, £41 per month*
• Kia Rio 3 100hp 1.0 T-GDi ISG – 102g/km CO2, £46 per month*
Other petrol engines are available, but the 1.0-litre blends low running costs with adequate performance most effectively.
There’s an automatic gearbox available with a 1.4-litre petrol, but it’s thirsty and emits 140g/km of CO2, meaning business drivers will let themselves in for 25% BIK costs.
Parkers Pick: Our choice would be the 1.0-litre T-GDi petrol engine in 3 trim because it comes with some appealing equipment including sat-nav, heated seats and steering wheel, climate control and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Read more on frugal company cars here
* BIK calculations are based on 2017/18 rates and assume no optional extras.
