KIA Rio

In July 2005 Kia Rio will start selling the body with four or five doors, two trim levels possible (called EX1 and EX2) and three engines, two petrol and one diesel. Not available for any combination of body, equipment and motor.

The most affordable is the Rio 1.4 EX1 5p, which costs € 11,350, the most expensive, the Rio 1.5 CRDi EX2 4p, costs 15.450 €. The price of the four-door version is € 100 higher than the equivalent of five (table of all versions available and its price). The relationship between size, equipment and price is good (comparison chart of price and equipment).

It's a completely different model to the current largest in its internal dimensions, in battle and on the tracks. The five-door version is shorter than the last, 3,990 mm versus 4240 mm, the four measures 4240 mm long. The battle (2,499 mm), width (1,694 mm) and height (1,470 mm) are older (before 2409, 1,679 and 1,430 mm) than before, the most remarkable fact is the height, higher than other cars of this type.

I've been driving for a few miles versions with 1.6-liter gasoline engine of 112 hp and 110 hp diesel. The two move with sufficient ease the car, at least two occupants and a couple of suitcases inside (weighing 1079 and 1,146 kg respectively).

The gasoline engine is much quieter and smoother at low speeds the diesel but from 4,000 rpm, it becomes noisy. The Diesel is backwards, as speed increases the rolling and aerodynamic noise are predominant. The gearshift has some long runs, especially the fifth, but it is handled with ease. The suspension is rather hard but not always contains the body movements, both pitch and roll.

The feel of the direction I did not like. After a certain speed is very sensitive and need to make small corrections to maintain the trajectory. Moreover, if we are with the car backed into a corner and went through a pothole, the wheel is transmitted to a thud.

The brake pedal feel I have found good and hard braking at high speed does not deviate from the path. I could not test the resistance of the brakes after intensive use.

The interior is spacious for four occupants given the exterior dimensions of the car. The trunk of the hatchback version has a volume of 270 l, which is closer to that of a Seat Ibiza (267 l) than that of a Seat Leon (341 l).

Measures 99 cm wide and 67 long, the loading lip is 63 cm from the ground is lit and the ends are four metal rings. The spare wheel is mounted under the trunk floor and is the same size as the rest. The four-door version has a higher capacity (390 l).

The front seats have a hard filler, both in area and in the back seat, and can be somewhat annoying if you sit too long. The driver's height adjustable. The support of the hindquarters can be placed with two possible inclinations.

The steering wheel has vertical adjustment but not longitudinal. When the seat is in a position tories is somewhat remote and under.

The plastics used are simple and everyone has a hard touch. The adjustments between pieces are correct, I have not seen any major failure in this aspect.

Details have not common in cars of this size and price, such as upholstery of the door panels or the use of two light fixtures on the ceiling. The sun visors have mirrors in lid, and the driver is lit.

Almost all switches are easy to locate and use except for stability control that is in the bottom of the center console behind the gap there to deposit items. Apart from this, it can leave the bags rigid objects in the four doors, a hole is beneath the radio, another on the bottom left of the dashboard or glove compartment. The latter has no system to halt the opening of the lid and flung open. The roof itself handles set out progressively. There is a sunglasses holder in the roof and three cup holders in the extension of the console, one larger than the other two.

EX1 The level of equipment includes ABS, electronic distributor of Frenda and six airbags (front, side and front of head), power steering, central locking with remote and alarm, four electric windows and mirrors. The air conditioning is optional (960 €).

EX2 The level also has fog, computer, climate control, rear spoiler, steering wheel and leather gear knob and rims of 15 ". The stability control is an option only available with the 1.6 liter gasoline engine.

The new KIA Rio Sohari is manufactured in South Korea. Since October, the KIA Picanto may carry a 1.3-liter diesel engine 75 hp; at year end or early 2006, will release the new Kia Magentis (submitted to the next room Frankfurt) that will also have diesel engine.