Overview Stylish subcompact hatchback offers a long list of equipment
Pros Laden with a full roster of features and technology, great warranty
Cons Handling not particularly exciting, cabin somewhat noisy
Value for money Good
What would I change? More cabin insulation
How would I spec it? As is
You could be forgiven for thinking that the Kia Rio 5-Door is virtually the same car as the recently reviewed Hyundai Accent, give or take a few minor differences. Many people are under the mistaken impression that the two companies share one lineup with interchangeable badges.
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2015 Kia Rio 5 SX
Lesley Wimbush, Driving
While Hyundai does own 34 per cent of Kia, and the powertrains for both companies are produced by Hyundai’s Namyang Research and Development centre outside of Seoul, Korea, they are otherwise separate entities. In fact, mentioning the relationship to anyone in the Hyundai hierarchy may just earn you a rather pained expression in response – each automaker considers the other to be a competitor.
The Rio 5 and the Accent share powertrains, and platform components, but each are separate entries in the subcompact economy segment.
Kia sure has come a long way since its North American arrival in 1992. The struggling company produced a succession of rather dismal vehicles, memorable only for their odd Teletubby colour palette.
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2015 Kia Rio 5 SX
Lesley Wimbush, Driving
Whatever it took to lure star designer Peter Schreyer away from Audi in 2006 was well worth it. Since then, Kia has established a reputation for fresh design and a high level of content for all of its segment entries, including this Rio.
Available also as a sedan for $14,095, the Rio 5-Door hatch offers three trim levels: LX, EX and SX, starting at $14,495. The base model LX features four-wheel disc brakes, stability control, power locks and windows, satellite radio, power heated mirrors and steering wheel mounted audio controls.
This week’s tester is the range-topping Rio 5 SX (with a starting price of $20,595). It comes with a long list of features that, once upon a time, we could only expect to find in the premium segment. This includes LED running lights and tail lamps, automatic climate control, a “sport-tuned suspension,” paddle shifters, push button start, heated steering wheel and leather seats.
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2015 Kia Rio 5 SX
Lesley Wimbush, Driving
Optional is the SX Nav package that, for another $2,200, adds sunroof and navigation.
The fact that a manual transmission is available throughout the Rio 5 model range is interesting. It’s a fairly unremarkable gearbox with rather light clutch take-up, but for those who insist on rowing their own gears, it does offer that extra little bit of engagement.
My tester is a cute little thing in “Chili Red” and rolling on 17-inch machined alloy wheels. While in the past, Kia’s small cars were amorphous blobs with no real distinguishable features, the Rio 5 boasts Schreyer’s crisp styling and signature “tiger nose” grille.
Inside, the Rio 5’s interior is quite fresh and well-executed. Accentuating the SX trim’s sportier image, there are drilled metal pedals, and the aforementioned leather-wrapped wheel and shifter, and push-button start. The cabin abounds with thoughtful touches: illuminated vanity mirrors, Bluetooth, maplight and sunglasses holder, rear backup camera, and a glove box that doubles as a cooler. But most surprising – and welcome – of all, is the heated steering wheel. In a budget hatchback!
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2015 Kia Rio 5 SX
Lesley Wimbush, Driving
It’s also plenty roomy for a subcompact. Fold down the 60/40 split rear seats, and the Rio 5 has a total of 1,410 litres of cargo space.
While it may have paddles shifters, a more firmly tuned suspension and driver-selectable Comfort, Normal and Sport modes, calling the Rio 5 SX “sporty” would be an exaggeration. The 1.6L engine with its 137 horsepower, 123 pound-feet of torque is one of the most powerful in the segment, but the steering, while nicely weighted, offers little feedback. The SX’s sports suspension may be a bit firm for some, as it is a bit harsh over rough pavement, but some of that could be attributed to the tires.
The SX model also boasts an Eco setting, and start/stop technology – a fuel-conserving feature that’s only just starting to trickle down from expensive European vehicles. This helps the Rio 5 achieve some fairly impressive consumption ratings. Kia’s Idle Stop and Go (ISG) shuts the engine off while stopped at traffic lights, and starts it up with only a barely noticeable shudder once the brake pedal’s released.
I managed to get between 6.0 and 6.2 L/100 km highway, but my inner-city, stop and go travel netted an average of 9.3 L/100 km. However, it must be noted that the city ratings also included two large male passengers.
Compared with its Hyundai Accent cousin, the drive and performance is quite similar (they share a powertrain) but the Rio feels more refined and much more grown up on the inside. The quality of materials used is comparable, but the Rio’s interior seems more thoughtful and the layout feels smarter.
Overall, the Rio 5 proved itself a very pleasant travel companion – loaded with features, easy to drive and surprisingly roomy for its segment, it also comes with Kia’s industry leading warranty.
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2015 Kia Rio 5 SX
Lesley Wimbush, Driving
The Specs
Type of vehicle Front-wheel-drive subcompact five-door hatchback
Engine 1.6-litre four-cylinder
Power 137 hp @ 6,300 rpm, 123 lb.-ft. torque @ 4,850 rpm
Transmission Six-speed automatic
Brakes Four-wheel disc with ABS
Tires P205/45R17
Natural Resources Canada fuel economy (L/100 km) 8.8 city, 6.3 highway
Price (base/as tested) $20,595/$22,464
Destination charge $1,535
Standard features (SX) Audio system with AM/FM radio, CD player satellite radio, touch screen and color screen, steering wheel mounted audio controls, Six speakers, Roof antenna, Cruise control, backup camera, heated steering wheel with paddle shifters, Trip computer: includes average speed, average fuel economy, current fuel economy and range, power locks, leather upholstery, Split-folding rear seats:, Alloy & leather-trimmed, tilt telescoping steering wheel, Body-color heated side mirrors with turn signals, Electronic traction control (via Halogen with projector beam lenses, Headlight control with dusk sensor, Front fog lights, Intelligent driver and passenger front airbag, Front side airbag, Front and rear curtain airbag, Anti-theft protection.
Notable Options SX Nav package adds Navigation and sunroof for $2200.
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