Kia Rio three-door 2012 review

Kia's handsome Rio five door hatch has already won the Carsguide Car of the Year award for 2011. Now there's a wider choice with the arrival of three door hatch and four door sedan variants. All have been specifically set-up dynamically to suit local driving conditions with input from Australian suspension engineers.

The cars

They are essentially the same underneath with the entry level three door selling from $15,290. Sensibly, Kia has kept the three and four door lineup small with the three door available in S and SLS grades, the former with a 1.4-litre petrol engine and the latter with a 1.6. The fleet-targeted sedan is in Si grade only with a 1.6 under the bonnet selling from $19,690.

Under the bonnet

The 1.4 is revamped from the previous Rio uprated to 79kW/135Nm. It features double overhead cams, variable valve timing but port injection instead of the newer and more efficient direct injection system. Fuel economy is a best of 5.7-litres/100km.

The 1.6 is a new engine featuring direct injection, the smallest capacity engine in Kia's range with this system. It has dual variable valve timing and double overhead cams as well as variable intake. A timing chain is used instead of the usual belt thereby skirting any longer term replacement issue. The 1.6 is good for 103kW/167Nm and can sip at a low 5.6-litres/100km.

The look

Kia has done an impressive styling job on Rio inside and out with that handsome face, striking profiles in all three variants and sporty looking tail treatment. The soft feel interior is a marked step up on just about everything else in this segment featuring a classy, upmarket look, design and materials. Kia has been generous with equipment in all Rio variants, all of which score a five star crash rating.

The drive

We were able to drive automatic versions of the 1.6-litre three and four door cars and finally a manual 1.6 three door in SLS grade. The last one we drove was our favourite because it was more engaging and simply more fun. It also looks the best with 17-inch alloys and low profile Conti tyres.

The Rio has a decent audio, wide multi media connectivity, leather seats and LED daytime running lights on SLS. Not what you'd call a rip snorter in performance terms, 1.6-litre engine delivers respectable performance and excellent fuel economy but the ride is an well calibrated compromise for all round driving in this country - safe and sure.

Did we tell you we like the styling - particularly of the three door. The four door looks OK too but isn't anywhere near as Euro-spunky as the little hatch.

The verdict

A great little car that will put a smile on your dial at an affordable price. Safe, economical, fun to drive with plenty of "wow" factor. No surprise it won Car of the Year.