Price range

$21,690 – $21,690

Overall

Good: The Rio has improved over its previous model, with non-offensive styling and decent interior space.

Not so Good: Nowhere near class-leading and an uninspiring drive.

Design and Engineering

Good : Arriving in Australia in January 2005, with the very late ‘mid-life’ facelift following in January 2010, the Kia Rio’s` exterior design is an improvement over the previous shape; good exterior visibility.

Not so good: To most sets of eyes the hatch is the better looking member of the Rio family.

Interior and Styling

Good : Generous leg and head-room on offer for the taller drivers out there; large boot; reasonable fit & finish throughout.

Not so good : It’s a little pale and grey on the inside, making it look quite dated against newer competitors; non-integrated audio system.

Performance

Good : The 1.6L is quite powerful for an entry-level SUPERMINI. With 82kW of power and a relatively light body it keeps up with traffic easily.

Not so good : The Automatic transmission struggles to find the right gear, and is too low-geared for highway driving.

Ride and Handling

Good : Steering is decent, making it a breeze to drive around the city.

Not so good : Excessive understeer, and can feel quite ‘bouncy’ when driven on rougher roads. The Kia Rio didn’t really like our spirited driving, which was a shame.

Buying and Owning

Good : 5 year, unlimited kilometer warranty is a big tick here.

Not so good : Unlikely to hold its resale value as well as some of the others in the SUPERMINI class.