2017 Kia Rio first drive review

The Kia Rio has always driven a pretty straight path down the middle of the road.

The South Korean car maker's small hatchback has never been the sportiest, the cutest, most efficient, safest or best equipped in its class. In fact, it has been quite a forgettable little runabout that sold primarily on its cheerful pricetag and, in recent years, the peace of mind of Kia's benchmark seven-year warranty.

But that could all change with the fourth-generation Rio which lands in Australian showrooms this month.

While maintaining the same price across the same three model lineup as it predecessor, the all-new Rio offers more of everything - more space, more equipment and more style.

Like before, the Rio starts at $16,990 (plus on-road costs) for the entry-level S fitted with a six-speed manual transmission, while a four-speed automatic costs an additional $2100. However the self shifter is the only transmission offered on the mid-grade Si that costs $21,490 (plus on roads) and the range-topping SLi that adds an extra grand to the bill.

Surprisingly for a brand renowned for value, that positions the Rio above most of its small car rivals including the Ford Fiesta, Honda Jazz, Mazda2, Toyota Yaris and Skoda Fabia.

But it does get more equipment than before with all variants now fitted with a colour 7.0-inch touchscreen that has a reverse camera, digital radio and smartphone mirroring, and it is a slightly larger car than its predecessor that results in marginally more interior space.

It is also a smarter car to look at too, which was highlighted during the local preview drive for the Rio in Melbourne recently where, in the metal and from some angles, it could be mistaken for a scaled-down Audi A3.

While it isn't overtly feminine in its design, like some cutesy rivals, nor is it chunky and masculine, yet it does have good proportions, a solid stance and classy details that will ensure it has broad appeal.

Having sampled only the mid-range Si variant during the local preview drive, the Rio is also more mature from behind the wheel.

Firstly, the cabin mimics the exterior's style with a modern ambience that is dominated by the 7.0-inch floating tablet-style touchscreen at the top of the dash, which itself has clear resolution and funky graphics yet is easy to navigate.

Look past the touchscreen and there's a thoughtful use of space with excellent small item storage on the double-deck binnacle at the base of the dash, plus twin cupholders and a bin in the centre console, decent-sized door pockets with bottle holders and a conventional glovebox.

There's also a USB and 12V power outlet in the front and a USB socket for rear seat passengers too.

Like all Kia models, the cabin is mostly dark grey and black - which doesn't help it feel as spacious, or as funky, as it could be - and there are hard plastics and cheap materials in some areas.
Otherwise, front passengers are treated to fairly comfortable seats with plenty of adjustment for the driver, decent all-round vision and plenty of headroom. It's a bit squeezy for those in the back, which, while a couple of adults can slide in there for short trips, it is best suited for small children on a regular basis.

On the road, the 1.4-litre four cylinder, which has been de-tuned in this fourth-generation to produce 74kW and 133Nm (down 5kW and 1Nm on its predecessor) in order to improve fuel consumption, doesn't feel as fresh and feisty as the rest of the car. It is adequate for around town with good initial step-off that makes it feel spritely away from the lights, but dig deeper for more acceleration and it struggles through its mid-range to reveal a raspy and uninspiring top-end.

The four-speed automatic certainly doesn't help. While it shifts okay at leisurely speeds, it shows its age - and lack of ratios - out on the open road where it feels lethargic on inclines and any overtaking moves at highway speeds requires a fair degree of pre-planning.

As for how it drives through the bends, as Kia Australia does for every model it sells here, the Rio's suspension and steering has been tuned specifically for local tastes and road conditions.
The electric-assisted power steering is a real highlight with a nice and natural feel across the ratio and good weighting that makes it feel solid and secure at highway speeds and well connected to the road through the corners, even though the cheap-as tyres give up grip and howl in protest fairly early when driven enthusiastically.

The suspension settings feel as though they are a little stiff for what is primarily going to be an urban runabout as the car transmits most road irregularities through the cabin, even if the dampers seem well controlled and never crashy.

All in all, the new Rio hasn't veered too far from the middle of the road. But it has caught up to the rest of its rivals as this fourth-generation hatch is a lot more mature in the way it looks and drives, and more modern in terms of connectivity, to the point where it can almost - engine and gearbox aside - justify its price premium over small car alternatives.

2017 Kia Rio Si pricing and specifications

On sale: Now
Price: $21,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.4-litre four cylinder petrol
Power: 74kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 133Nm at 4000rpm
Transmission: Four-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Fuel use: 6.2L/100km

• For all the latest information, visit the Kia showroom.