Audi A7 vs Kia Rio
What's the difference?

Audi A7

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2019 price

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Kia Rio

$15,990 - $24,977

2022 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2019 Audi A7

2022 Kia Rio

By Matt Campbell

By Tom White

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo V6, 3.0L

Inline 4, 1.4L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

7.3L/100km (combined)

6.0L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Glorious to behold
Surprising value
Great safety kit

Ace multimedia
Affordability
Big interior

Dislikes

Launching with top-spec petrol only
Still some options to pick
Some tech quibbles on launch

Uninspiring drivetrain
Lacks active safety features
Hard, noisy ride

2019 Audi A7 Summary

Audi is known as a design-led brand, and arguably no model in the line-up embodies that ethos more than the Audi A7 Sportback.

This all-new version of Audi's largest swoopy five-door hatchback takes the concept of the original first-generation version and, rather than reinventing the idea, reimagines it with a more modern and even more style-focused look, inside and out.

And it's a very convincing execution, indeed.

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2022 Kia Rio Summary

Australia is experiencing a mass extinction event.

Like the dinosaurs before them, and hopefully not the bees in the near future, the sub-$20,000 car is nearing the bitter end.

An evolutionary dead-end, as higher emissions and safety regulations relegate older models (read Mitsubishi Mirage) to the great scrap-heap in the sky and prevent newer ones (read Honda Jazz) from leaving their local markets.

For you, this means there are quite literally a handful of brand-new vehicles left in Australia which wear before-on-road price-tags under the magic $20,000 number.

One of them is the car we’re looking at for this review: The Kia Rio S, with the catch being you’ll have to be happy changing gears yourself.

So, is this most basic Rio worth your while, or is it best left as a puzzling fossil for future generations to study? Let’s have a look.

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Deep dive comparison

2019 Audi A7 2022 Kia Rio

Verdict

The Audi A7 is a really likeable car, one that is heavily focused on style but also emanates substance. The 55 TFSI model will appeal to many, but my initial impression is that the best buy in the range could well be the entry-level 45 TFSI. I can't wait to sample it sometime in 2019.

Verdict

The Rio S Manual is a fun-to-drive little car with a big practicality and multimedia offering in a segment rapidly heading towards extinction.

While some elements of the drive experience are reminiscent of budget cars from 10-20 years ago, Kia makes up for it by wrapping the Rio in a contemporary looking and feeling package, ready for the buyer who needs no frills and demands no nonsense. Until the manual transmission goes the way of the dodo, there is almost no better option.

Audi A7 vs Kia Rio What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi A7 vs Kia Rio
What's the difference?