Kia Rio 1.4. 448,000 rubles

With the beginning of the year, the production of the second-generation Kia Rio was launched at the Izhevsk Automobile Plant. The "childhood diseases" of the first units off the assembly line have been eliminated, and global statistics on serious breakdowns have not yet been accumulated, so it is a good time to evaluate the car in real-world operation.

As a rule, cars capable of evoking truly strong emotions are comparable in price to an airplane, are produced in limited series, and rarely appear in traffic. However, fate has turned its gaze to our bright red hatchback as well. How did the Kia Rio earn a place in this divinely unattainable circle of the chosen? It turned out, with its right side...

2006 Kia Rio
© Photo: Sergey Krestov, 5 Koleso

Already during the first month of operation, a clearly visible scratch appeared on the body without any apparent reason. This stripe of someone else's envy stretched distinctly from the front fender to the rear taillight. Such a display of feelings can, of course, be attributed to simple hooliganism. But let's look at what happened differently: what if it's a line of fate, like on a palm, by which palm readers predict the future? Judging by the length of this scratch, the model is destined for a long and eventful life. And as for what awaits the future owner of the Kia Rio, we will tell from time to time throughout the year.

The car's appearance is undoubtedly impressive. The muscular silhouette of the hatchback is perfectly complemented by wide wheel arches and massive bumpers, and the V-shaped stamping on the hood, smoothly transitioning into the radiator grille, along with the curved line of the side glazing, even hints at a sporty character. "There is both lightness of flight in the body and the solid strength of granite," a poet once remarked. And this is exactly about the Rio.

However, some design solutions, when viewed from the inside, no longer seem so attractive. For example, the wide rear pillars noticeably limit visibility. This is especially acute when leaving a parking lot, when neighboring cars are parked at an angle to the roadway. The space behind the car is almost invisible, so every such maneuver turns into a guessing game: is there someone there or not. Fortunately, it is difficult to find fault with the other elements of the interior.

For owning such a nice car, you will have to pay a considerable amount, which for many will probably become the main obstacle when choosing this model. Thus, the five-door hatchback in the "Lux" version with a 1.4-liter gasoline engine and a five-speed manual costs 448 thousand rubles. Yes, it has front airbags, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and ABS. But for that kind of money, it is quite realistic to also consider a Ford Focus in a comparable trim. True, if you are willing to wait...

2006 Kia Rio
© Photo: Sergey Krestov, 5 Koleso

The Kia Rio's engine easily demonstrates its lively character. Developing 126 Nm of torque and 97 horsepower, the car boasts quite brisk acceleration and impressive thrust, especially noticeable in second and third gears. But shifting from fifth to fourth is difficult. When overtaking, for example, you can get into a situation where the lever categorically refuses to engage the desired position. There is only one way out: no haste, only smooth and measured movements.

It is also worth remembering smoothness when overcoming small irregularities, which are transmitted to the body as noticeable vibration. But larger potholes and bumps, the hatchback skips with surprising ease. The car confidently holds a straight line, the steering is informative enough, and at high speeds you don't have to grip it with a death grip. However, when driving in a rut, you still have to constantly correct the trajectory. In addition, like most front-wheel-drive classmates in this price segment, the Kia Rio demonstrates understeer in critical modes.

But let's return to palmistry. As soon as luck turned away from our hatchback for a moment, at a mileage of 1434 km the speedometer suddenly "died."

And here it is — the sweet word "warranty"! And what will happen next — we'll drive and find out.

Driving
Decent dynamics. Steering is moderately informative. Gear shifts are not precise.

Interior
Seats are comfortable, ergonomics are well thought out.

Comfort
The suspension does not fully cope with small defects in the road surface.

Safety
In the base version, only a driver's airbag. ABS is the lot of more expensive trims. According to Euro NCAP crash test results, the car earned 4 stars for passenger protection.

Price
Overpriced, leaves ample room for alternatives.

Advantages and disadvantages
+ Expressive appearance, torquey engine, comfortable interior.
– High cost, imprecise gear changes, weak safety equipment.

Our opinion

Four points