Review and test drive of the updated version of the Kia Rio

This year we decided to update all budget cars. The case began with Solaris, which I talked about earlier, then there were Rapid and Polo. Finally, it came to Rio.

To film a review of the car Kia Rio, I had to join a large number of journalists and bloggers, whom the manufacturer brought together and presented its updated version of the famous model. With Volkswagen Polo it was cooler – I bought it one of the first and was able to tell everything about it in detail.

Today, a lot of my colleagues around me are doing their reviews and test drives. But this fact will not prevent me from telling my subscribers about what has changed.

So what is the updated Kia Rio and is it worth your attention? Let's start, as always, with an inspection of the engine compartment, not forgetting to make surprised and enthusiastic faces – anticipating changes … And then we will really be surprised – after all, nothing has changed, in terms of technology it remains the same car.

The first thing that catches your eye is the headlights, very similar to the Kia K5 (former Optima). Many, judging by the comments, did not appreciate the design of the K5 when I reviewed it, calling the headlight element that hangs and extends over the bumper “turkey snot.” Others were surprised that the upper part is inflated and comes over the wing. But, as it seemed to me, most people liked the design of that car. Did you like this look?

Rio, following the current automotive fashion, tried to visually make it wider, more flattened. Hence such an arrangement of headlights, to which were added plastic inserts-triangles spaced along the edges and a black radiator grille.

The combination of these elements, their way of placement and made it possible to make the “muzzle” visually wider. Another question: was it necessary to do this in the budget segment, which is most often used for taxis, in your opinion?

But back to the units under the hood

There are still two versions here: 1.4 liters and 100 hp. or 1.6 liters and 123 hp, I have the second one on a test drive. From the new – an increased volume of the reservoir for the windshield washer. Instead of the old 4.7 liters, it became as much as 5.3 liters! Now you will not have such an enraging liquid residue. Those very 300 g, which it is a pity to pour out, will go into action!)

From the new under the hood, perhaps, everything. Well, except that the familiar Tubor battery caught my eye, which I once advertised, and I really like them – reliable. LED optics, reflex – in a complete set, in the base of the “halagenka” – the manufacturer considers this to be his chip and difference from competitors in the segment.

Continuing visual inspection

The side of the car has not changed at all, only slightly changed at the back. There were large chrome trims on the muffler pipe – I don't really understand this topic. The pipe itself is here alone, much lower, and the overlays are just props. But a lot of young kids love it. But the main segment of Kia Rio buyers is not them, it seems to me. Young people in this price range will often look at Vesta, I think. Maybe not right?

Rio is presented in eight body colors, including two very bright ones – red and blue. 4 types of rims. I have “rich” 16s on my car review. On the roof we see a “little piece of BMW” – a black “shark fin” antenna. Here is a hint of a modern, youthful Rio. The dimensions remained the same, except that, due to the overhang on the front bumper, it became 2 cm longer, the rest of the body is the same.

Trunk 480 liters, with a “spider”. It is impossible to open it simply by going up to the car – only from the passenger compartment or from the key. I don’t like such options, why they can’t do it – I don’t understand. There are situations when you just need to get something out of the trunk, and the key is in the ignition or bag, you have to go to the steering wheel – it's inconvenient.

While we were at the presentation, we were told “why it's not good to be a liftback.” Like, it is 70 kg heavier, there will be higher fuel consumption, and in general Kia is more customer-oriented, offering a sedan and a hatchback separately. Interesting position.

In a rich configuration, there is an autorun, it works, like in Solaris, from a fairly large distance. To implement it, you need to close the car, press the “Hold” button on the key. Similarly, you can “turn off” the ignition. Moreover, here, unlike Solaris, warm options, air conditioning can be set before leaving the machine, so that at startup it turns on in the desired mode. For example, she warmed up the steering wheel and glass in cold weather or, on the contrary, cooled the interior in the heat.

What awaits us inside

In the cabin, the classic multimedia screen, which is already unusual for modern models of the budget segment, is immediately noticeable, and not separately standing at the top. Visually, I like it better, but in terms of convenience and reducing the time to shift your eyes from the road to the screen, a higher position is better.

The followers of my Instagram account have already voted “yes” for the lower performance. What do you think, which display is more convenient – built-in or remote?

Rio boasts Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and for the first time in the segment, they connect via Bluetooth. The quality of the camera is not perfect, but not bad either. As always, a little overexposed, bright colors, but you can see it normally.

The plastic on the console, as it should be for a budget, is hard. In the cold it will notably creak, dripping on the nerves. The speedometer and tachometer on the dashboard are analog, but the display between them is digital, and it has become larger. On it you can see the speed, fuel consumption, various settings, and also choose the theme of the display itself (one of three).

While the entire auto industry is making a leap forward, budget cars can only make a breakthrough transmission from a standstill. Nothing has changed in terms of technology. To tell something new about how this car rides is to invent fables. The only thing, they say, is that the amount of soundproofing materials has been added. In my opinion, if something has been added, then the changes are minimal, I will not say that it has become much quieter, given that I travel to Rio regularly.

Don't expect more surprises. Unless in cheaper trim levels there will now be a multi-wheel, and here 2 USB connectors have been added.

In conclusion, I will talk about the guarantee. Rio has a significant advantage over its competitors here: 5 years and 150 thousand km. mileage, against Polo and Rapid, which have 3 years and 100 thousand km each. How important it is for you – decide for yourself.

And which of the four cars in approximately the same price segment would you choose, which one do you like best, seems more interesting – purely externally or in terms of running gear? Rio, Solaris, Polo or Rapid – vote in the comments!

And, as always, for fans of the video version of this information – my new issue with a review of the updated version of Kia Rio, for the comments on which, I thank everyone:

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