THERE must be something in the water at Kia's giant Sohari plant in South Korea. For years it's churned out instantly forgettable cars, built on a shoestring budget with seemingly no redeeming qualities. However, its recent purple patch has seen it become a hotbed for success.
It's a marque that's spookily similar to Skoda on first glance. The initial connotation doesn't inspire a lot of excitement at first, but as we found out in the review of the all-new Fabia a few weeks ago, things are most definitely on the up for manufacturers with once-blemished reputations. Take a look the next time you're out driving - Kia is now a permanent fixture on the UK's roads.
Now in its third generation, the Rio has evolved into quite a handsome little thing. Cast your mind back to the original car from 2000 and its ungainly dimensions had the uncanny ability put you off your dinner. The second iteration didn't exactly do a great deal to rectify that but the new one takes styling cues from the striking Optima saloon and the downright lovely Proceed GT, so the Peter Schreyer-designed 'tiger nose' front grille appears once again. It's actually a bit of a looker; the front has a stylish appearance with chiselled features, the sides have swooping, graceful lines and the rear follows Kia's new model-wide blueprint of being clear, clean and fluid.
Starting from just £10,145, there are several trim options to choose from, bookended by the entry-level Rio 1 and the top-of-the-range 4, which comes in at £17,445. The latter benefits from a seven-inch touchscreen satellite navigation, a heated steering wheel, LED daytime running lights and 17-inch alloy wheels.
The 1 Air, 2, 3 and SR7 sit in between, gradually offering more equipment. Despite each variant having affordable prices, the Rio line-up doesn't at all skimp on equipment with DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity, a multi-function steering wheel and electric windows present on all models.
First impressions count for a lot with me and I'll admit it: I'm impressed. Its interior feels well-made, there's not much in the way of scratchy plastics to ignite one's derision and it's already gone a long way to altering my perception of the brand. Let's face it, the Rio is cheap, but there's seemingly nothing to suggest that. Our test car - the 2 - feels positively plush for its price with soft-touch leather and piano black dashboard trim enhancing its feel.
Having just received a midlife nip and tuck with minor styling revisions, the Rio engine line-up remains unchanged so there's still a brace of petrol options in either 1.25 and 1.4-litre form, or the super-frugal 1.1 and 1.4-litre diesels. Our car, fitted with the petrol 1.4, has 107bhp so it never manages to feel too underpowered.
Stop-start technology - a standard feature in 2015 guise - plays a big role in the mightily impressive fuel economy figures for the Rio. Perhaps unsurprisingly the minuscule 1.1 diesel is the most efficient with a claimed return of 88.3mpg, but even the 1.4 petrol manages to break the 50mpg barrier with mixed driving.
It's also remarkably quiet once up and moving. Road and wind noise never become an issue and four adults can travel at ease due to the Rio's roomy interior space; it's 81mm and 100mm longer than a Fiesta and Polo respectively. What's more, everything is extremely easy to do in the car. Light steering - despite feeling a tad disconnected at speed - makes day-to-day manoeuvring a doddle and the clutch is absolutely foolproof. The six-speed gearbox has a slick action and the brakes are perfectly admissible.
Every box has a tick next to it and if you're in the market for a small, affordable car, just factor in its scarcely believable seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty and it's not hard to see why Kia's salient resurgence has happened. The firm's most popular car has just got a whole more appealing.
It has come on leaps and bounds and its new Rio is now a genuine alternative to ten-a-penny Ford Fiestas and Renault Clios. The future is looking very bright for the much-maligned South Korean manufacturer and the Rio is certain to steal yet more sales from its well-established rivals.
For more information call Burrows Kia, Oakwell View, Pontefract Road, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S71 1HH on 01226 308486.
