2020 Kia Rio Reviews

The Rio was the car that really carved Kia a place in the Australian market in 2000. A cheap but not always cheerful bargain box, the Rio staked its claim on decent fuel economy and great drive-away prices. However the styling and fit-out were undesirable, build quality was questionable, and the driving experience almost unbearable.A decade on, and all that has changed - except for the fuel economy. It's still decent, but now so is the car. And while Kia is trying to move out of the bargain basement, the Rio is still well-priced for what you get.The Kia Rio's top spec GDI SLi is priced from $21,990 - a considerable jump over the previous model, which topped out about $3000 below that.Part of that extra is an equipment list that includes daytime running lights, 17-in alloy wheels with full-size alloy spare, larger disc brakes, projector headlights with 'cornering' front lamps, cruise control, heated mirrors, hill holder and touches of leather.Suzuki's Swift GLX beats the Rio's price by $1300 and is a solid choice for the budget, but has considerably less power and torque with no economy benefit, outdated auto, and styling that needs another update to take it beyond the once-over-lightly from earlier this year.The popular Toyota Yaris YRX hatch undercuts the Rio by $600, and while it's got a good features list, it suffers the same woes as the Swift: less oomph, less style and getting out of date.The sales topper is the Mazda2, which in Genki spec is just $155 more than the Rio, still looks sharp and is well kitted-out. While it can't match the Kia's usable space, outputs and economy, it's still a great little driver and a great buy.The class benchmark is still last year's Carsguide COTY, the Volkswagen Polo 77TSI, which looks dull but for $360 more gives you a spicy and frugal little turbo engine, 7-speed twin-clutch and the kind of dynamics that always leave a smile on your face.The Rio's family rival is the (also newly arrived) Hyundai Accent hatch whose platform it shares, and while costing $1000 more it misses out on a little of the Rio's spec and is down two gears, 12kW and 11Nm -- and a bit thirstier too.Also $1000 more and with less power and torque is the Ford Fiesta, but with a great twin-clutch auto, matching economy and a fun drive.The signature 'tiger face' penned for Kia by design chief Peter Schreyer (who moved across from Audi) looks great on the little Rio, giving it a bold entry point. It backs that up with proportions that make the most of a longer and wider mark-up, with a lower sloping roofline reducing the 'tall box' impression that plagues the light car class.The interior is fantastic above base level, with excellent upholstery on well-shaped seats, quality dash and door finishes, a steering wheel that feels good in the hand, and a feeling of light and space - helped by folding rear seats that more than triple the 288-litre cargo space.The new arrival hasn't yet been given an ANCAP rating, but will hopefully do better than the previous model's three stars. To help it in the safety stakes, it comes with six airbags (the old one had two), hill-start assist, stability and traction controls, anti-lock brakes with brake-force distribution that calculates what's needed at each wheel for uneven weight loading, and brake assist for panic stops.The SLi carries a direct-injection 1.6-litre petrol engine that develops103kW of power and 167Nm of torque - an improvement on the 82kW and 145Nm of the previous model. It gets that to the front wheels via a six-speed sports automatic that helps deliver official fuel economy of 6.1L/100km on a combined cycle (although we were getting closer to 7.1 through most of our mixed driving and shot up above 8 when it was just city circuits).Like the rest of the Kia range, the Rio's underpinnings have been localised for the Aussie market. The works gives tweaked dampers to the MacPherson sturt front/ torsion beam rear suspension and a heftier stabiliser bar up front, while the power-assisted rack and pinion steering is sharper than the previous hydraulic set-up.We put the little Rio through something of a torture test, demanding it cart a full load of five grain-fed Aussie adults around. And it came through with a decent mark, especially for shoulder space.While none of the labrats wanted to spend the rest of their life in the back seat, everybody agreed it was comfortably snug, rather than outright cramped. It's wider than most of its rivals by just a couple of centimetres - but they're important ones.The engine coped relatively well with the job, except when we needed to head uphill or try to grab a gap in the traffic. That demanded a firm slap down with the gearshift to try and get more torque, and even then it felt a bit begrudging.This is also when things got a bit noisier, but otherwise the cabin was adequately quiet except when the tyres hit rough-chip surfaces.Handling is surprisingly agile, helped by the splayed stance, firm-ish ride and grippy tyres, but the choppy bumps and cracks make themselves felt more than they would on smaller wheels. But that aside, the Rio is a car you can actually enjoy driving.It's far from perfect, but it's also far from the exiting model in every important way. The more time you spend with the Rio, the more you appreciate the progress it's made in quality, style and equipment.

Not so long ago it was all about the price. People who bought a Kia did so because they wanted a new car but had a limited amount of money to spend. Fast forward and it's still very much about value for money, the difference is that you wouldn't mind owning one - we wouldn't anyway (and we should know). The all-new Rio hatch is a case in point. Like other recent releases from Kia it looks fantastic, and the ride and handling are impressive.Kia is yet to release its 1.4-litre model or its three and four-door variants which don't arrive until next year. The 1.4 will be cheaper but the better specified 1.6 is the pick, priced from $18,990. All models come with Bluetooth and a four-speaker sound system, complete with AUX, iPod and USB connections - all controlled remotely from the steering wheel. Si and SLi models add an extra pair of high range tweeter speakers. There's also two 12 volt power oulets in the centre console. Electric heated side mirrors are also standard.1.6-litre GDi direct injection four cylinder petrol engine produces a healthy 103kW of power and 167Nm of torque at 4850 revs. Claimed fuel consumption ranges from 5.6 to 6.1 litres/100km depending on whether its the manual or auto. The six-speed auto feels like a better match for the engine and allows the driver to change gears manually anyway. It feels quicker off the mark too, with a sporty note under hard acceleration.The latest offering from Kia's design guru Peter Schreyer. It's larger than the Yaris or Mazda2 and is even a few mills longer than the new Barina with a significantly longer wheelbase and load capacity that is almost line ball. The Barina is cheaper and is offered with a six-speed auto too, but it's 1.6 is no match for Rio's new direct injection engine.For those in the know Kia is owned by Hyundai and the two share architecture and models. In this case the Hyundai equivalent is the Accent and while it looks pretty hot, it misses out on some advantages - chief among them the 1.6-litre direct injection engine and six-speed automatic. The i20 is a smaller car that sits on a new platform and is being marketed as a successor to Getz.Designed to get five stars but it's yet to be crash tested. Comes with a full safety package including six airbags and electronic stability control are standard along with anti-lock brakes, brake assist and electronic brake force distribution. Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) program seamlessly integrates the operation of all the safety systems.We drove the mid range Si auto and top of the line SLi manual. Only $1000 separates them in price. The Si has 16 inch alloys while the SLi has larger 17s. The Rio benefits from local suspension tuning and it shows, with a firm confortable ride over a variety of road surfaces. Undulations induced the occiasional bounce but nothing to really worry about.You can punt this car hard and it won't bite back, but the stability control shuts down too soon. In terms of fuel economy we got 6.7 from the manual and 7.1 litres/100km from the automatic.Love it. Looks the goods and can't wait to see one that has been really blinged.

THE new Kia Rio is light years ahead of its predecessor of the same name in design, build, specification and appeal. In fact the name badge is the only thing common to both models. Kia Australia's chief operating officer Tony Barlow described the new Rio as a revolution, not an evolution, which would profoundly alter customers' perceptions of Kia and its vehicles. On the evidence presented at the car's media launch and test drives it will do just that.The revolution begins with the look of the entry-level S, higher spec Si and top-of the-range SLi models for which California-based design manager Massimo Frascella said he sought a modern, sporty and dynamic look that stood out from the crowd. On test drives the car certainly drew admiring glances. In addition, the new Rio has a ground-hugging profile that with a longer wheel base is larger than its predecessor and gives more head and leg room and large luggage space.The car comes in a choice of 10 striking colours, but it is its ``green' credentials that stand out. Target CO2 emissions start at 133g/km, which make the new Rio a top-15 contender in the Green Vehicle Guide. In addition, 85 per cent of the car is recyclable. For example, its tyre well liners are made from recycled bumpers.By early next year the new Rio will come in five-door and three-door hatch and four-door sedan configurations. With the price for the entry model S starting at $16,290 and rising to $21,990 for the top-of the range SLi the car will certainly make Kia's rival manufacturers sit up and worry and should put a smile on the faces of Kia dealers when they reach their showrooms.For the driver in the transformed interior there is a clear instrument cluster, precise instrument graphics that are scanned with only a slight dip of the eyes, wide windscreen and fine side and rear visibility. There are also easily reached central toggle-style switches. Standard on all models are Bluetooth, radio CD player with MP3 compatibility plus AUX, iPod and USB connections all controlled from the steering wheel controls.At the heart of the performance are a choice of 1.4 or 1.6 litre Gamma engines matched to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic with manumatic shift gate in the S and SLi models, and six-speed manual or four-speed manumatic in the S. The 1.6 has gasoline direct injection (GDi) technology while the 1.4 litre has MPi. Both are smooth, quiet yet eager engines providing oodles of power and acceleration on demand.Nevertheless neither of them is a fuel guzzler. The 1.6 returns figures of 5.6l/100kms for the manual and 6.1l/100kms for the auto, while the 1.4 gives 5.7l/100kms for the manual and 6.3l/100kms for the automatic.The new Rio also scores high marks for safety with a body shell of high-strength steel and boasting a five-star crash integrity rating. The car has a reassuringly solid feel, plus other standard safety features include six airbags, electric stability control, projection headlamps and new front ``cornering'' lamps, ABS anti-lock brakes and emergency brake assist (EBA).For the Kia engineers the focus was on drive, handling and ride characteristics and they have done a wonderful job. The car is a delight to drive with the electric power steering and 15, 16 or 17-inch low-profile tyres combining for precise and nimble handling on twisting, wet hill roads that recalled happy memories of driving my Mini Cooper.There is great stability under braking and when accelerating, plus the tuned suspension ensures a smooth ride on surfaces ranging from wet, pot-holed gravel tracks to unevenly surfaced country lanes. The overall drive comfort is greatly enhanced by superbly supportive sports-type seats.

The final piece in the puzzle of Kia's design-led transformation is in place, as the new 2011 Kia Rio goes on sale. As turnarounds go, Kia's has been swift, going from unappealing styling and - at best - serviceable vehicles to far more stylish and effective machines and (not surprisingly) sales increases, backed by locally-tuned steering and suspension.VALUEKia has only announced five-door pricing - the rest of the range arrives early next year. The entry-level S has the 1.4-litre petrol engine and six-speed manual for $16,290 - up from $14,990 for the out-going entry-level model; the Si gets the 1.6-litre direct-injection engine at $18,990 for the manual, increased from the $16,840 pricetag on the out-going model. The range-topper SLi starts from $19,990 for the manual; automatic buyers will pay an extra $2000 - the S gets a four-speed auto but the Si and SLi run the in-house six speed auto transmission.Standard Rio fare includes Bluetooth phone and audio link, USB and auxiliary plug jacks, steering wheel controls for phone and audio, power-adjustable exterior mirrors, a trip computer, air conditioning, power windows and reach'n'rake adjustable steering.The Si gets 6 speakers, a leather steering wheel, cruise control and 16in alloy wheels; the SLi sits on 17in alloys, LED running lights and tail-lights, automatic headlights, cornering lamps and bigger brakes.TECHNOLOGYThe 1.6-litre petrol engine gets direct fuel injection and variable-valve system to give the Si and SLi 103kW and 167Nm (up from 82kW and 145Nm); the entry-S model gets the 1.4-litrefuel-injected four-cylinder engine offering 79kW and 135Nm - up 9kW and 10Nm.DESIGNThe light car's debut marks the completion of the brand's design makeover under design chief Peter Schreyer, with the new Kia face, a strong stance and good proportions. The Rio's footprint has grown by 20mm in length, 25mm in width but with a 15mm lower roofline and a wheelbase extension of 70mm.SAFETYThe Rio range gets six airbags, anti-lock brakes with brakeforce distribution, stability control, a hillstart assistant and emergency brake-assist all as standard - Kia says its expecting a five-star NCAP rating.DRIVINGRain marred our first stint in the five-door Rio Si six-speed manual, which sits on 16in alloy wheels with Kuhmo tyres (and a full size spare), the Rio coped well with the wet and rough hills roads. The first leg (on city and country roads) returned 8l/100km on the short hop from Adelaide to Tanunda.The little five-door is well-planted, with acceptable body control and a ride that's perhaps just a little too firm - but there's just enough compliance to deal with nastier bumps. The 44 per cent stiffer front 22mm-diameter stabiliser bar and the unique damper for Australia has done the job nicely when it comes to composure and turning into corners, but some driving it daily in the suburbs might like a touch more comfort.The boot is a good-size for the class and doesn't suffer for the proper spare tyre. The cabin space is similarly good, allowing me to sit behind myself (so to speak. The six-speed manual is not without its charms, while the six-speed automatic is tuned for economy and needs a big prod to kick down - it finished the return drive showing 9.1 l/100km. The SLi's ride quality suffered with the step up to the 17in alloy wheels - equipped with 45-profile Continental tyres - which transmitted more of the smaller choppy bumps than would be ideal.VERDICTThe Australian light-car buyer is no longer punished by a bleak field of bland and lacklustre hatchbacks.The segment is now offering better-equipped and more entertaining machines - Kia has added its Rio to that list.2011 KIA RIO FIVE-DOOR HATCHPrice: from $16,290Warranty: 5-years/unlimited kilometresResale: 46% (based on outgoing model) Source: Glass's GuideService Interval: 15,000km/12 monthsSafety: 5-star NCAP (estimated)Engine: 1.4-litre 79kW/135Nm four-cylinder; 1.6-litre direct-injection 103kW/167Nm four-cylinderBody: 3 & 5-door hatch, 4-door sedanWeight: 1143-1215kgTransmission: 6-speed manual or 4-speed auto (S), six-speed auto (Si and SLi), front driveThirst: 5.7-6.3L/100km, tank 43 litres, 91RON, CO2 135-150g/km"A light car with good road manners, decent cabin space and ample attitude''

SUZUKI ALTO GLXNeil McDonald"IT'S almost cheap enough to put on a credit card."  So chirps a forthright female friend when I mentioned that the Alto costs just $11,790 for the starter GL model.  She did cringe when I pulled up to head out on the town though, expecting something larger than our modest Alto.  But as she settled in, elbow to elbow, the little Suzie won her over with its bright red paint scheme and bug-eyed headlights.As it whipped through inner city traffic she was even more startled by the quality of its ride, composure and zip.  Most people who have driven or been ferried around in Suzuki's little car warm to it. It is winning over friends everywhere.There are two reasons why — fuel economy and ease of parking.  The five-speed manual Alto sips fuel at the rate of 4.8 litres of petrol every 100km, allowing a reasonable range from its 35-litre tank before you have to duck into a servo.It's the ideal city car. The diminutive 1.0-litre three-cylinder is surprisingly capable around town and the five-speed is a breeze.  Being a three-cylinder it does tend to throb like a heartbeat at idle but this quirky characteristic only adds to its charm.But where it does come into its own is crowded supermarket carparks.  You can manoeuvre the Alto into the tiniest spaces, duck in to grab the groceries and be on your way while some drivers are still reversing their juggernaut off-roaders into place.The $12,490 GLX manual we drove has a few tasty must-haves like electronic stability control but also nice alloys, foglights, tachmeter, four-speaker stereo and height-adjustable driver's seat.  The only thing we really thought is missing from the spec sheet is electrically adjustable exterior mirrors.However, adjusting the passenger's mirror is reasonably easy because the car's so compact.The GLX has all the goodies but even the base GL does not skimp.  It comes with six airbags, anti-skid brakes, air conditioning, CD stereo with MP3 input and remote central locking.  What really surprises people about the Alto is its big-car like ride. The suspension is firm but rides the bumps well and the steering is direct and well-weighted. The front seats too, which are based on those in the bigger Swift, are comfy.Small children will fit in the back but it is tight for adults. Likewise the boot is relatively small. One person we know who owns one keeps the rear seats flipped forward all the time to carry gear.  Since it went on sale 10 months ago Suzuki Australia has been struggling to keep up with demand.  We can understand why.Suzuki Alto GLXPrice: From $11,790 (GL)Engine: 1.0 litresEconomy: 4.5 litres/100kmFeatures: Dual front and side head airbags, four-speaker CD stereo, anti-skid brakes, electronic stability control, air conditioning, electric windowsTick: Compact size makes parking a breezeCross: Lack of electrically adjustable exterior mirrorsKIA RIONathan MawbyONCE upon a time 'cheap and cheerful' meant a Datsun 120Y with a smiley face painted on.  Thankfully a few decades on the Kia Rio is in the picture.You could go for the ultra cheap base model for $12,990.  Spring for the four speed auto for about $17,400 drive away and you'll be a lot more cheerful than those who cheaped out on a base model when you inevitably get stuck in traffic.But the Rio doesn't stop at being cheap, it goes out of its way to save you money.  Even with the 1.6L four cylinder engine (there's also a 1.4L) speeding tickets will be the last thing on your mind.That's because you'll start to feel sorry for it at around 6000 RPM. At which point you'll be doing between 40 and 50km/h.  It can handle 100km/h, just give it a little time to get there and don't be shy about putting the foot down on hills. But you're not buying a cheap car to break the sound barrier.  If you're bound and determined to do so you could try driving it off something very, very tall — but that would void the Rio's five year unlimited kilometres warranty.  For your safety and that of others, do not do this.The flip side of a small engine is saving money on petrol, with a fuel economy of 6.8L/100km who's going to argue?  The Rio is going to suit those who want a car to go from A to B, and it ranges from average to brilliant on this front.  Handling in tight spaces, like shopping plaza car parks, is an example of the latter.Combine the responsive steering with its compact size and you can look forward to finally getting that Holy Grail car park near the doors. You know the one, it's between the two poles with paint scrapings at about the same height as the rear bumper of an over-ambitious four-wheel drive.But when you're finished bargain hunting with all the money you've saved buying a cheap car the small size will come back to haunt you as the tiny boot mocks any attempt to squeeze your new 42" plasma into it.   Add some groceries, a few bags of clothes and you'll be inching the front seats forward before coughing up bus fare for your passengers.On the plus side that means you'll be able to choose what you listen to on the way home.  Which is important when you've got a set of Tweeter speakers hooked up to an equalizer that tailors the cars sound system to your favourite tunes.A blue tooth system and iPod and mp3 connectivity will also help steer young drivers away from using their phone or iPod. A potentially life saving feature.But with a base model ANCAP rating of three stars you may feel like you're putting your bank balance ahead of your life.First car buyers on a budget and retirees looking to down size will appreciate a lot of what the Rio has to offer — just avoid freeways.Kia RioPrice: From $14,990Engine: 1.4-litre or 1.6-litre (please check with Nathan)Economy: 6.7 litres/100km, 6.8 litres/100kmFeatures: Dual front airbags, four-speaker CD stereo, power steering, air conditioning, electric windows, remote central locking.Likes: Industrial strength heating, headroom and vision, particularly side mirrors,Dislikes: Lack of power, uninspired exterior, poor use of interior space, particularly the bootFORD FIESTAFiona HudsonFIRST, an admission: there's quite a few unworn items hanging forlornly up one end of my wardrobe, sale tags still attached.  Pristine pieces include a shirt bought at such a discount that burnt-orange and brown stripes seemed an attractive combo, and jeans so cheap I kidded myself dropping two sizes would be easy.Yep, I'm a total sucker for a bargain.  So a declaration I was absolutely smitten with the Ford Fiesta CL prompted knowing nods from my partner who assumed its low price colored my judgement.There's no disputing this little ripper is value for money. The base model includes air-conditioning, CD sound system, power steering, electric windows, two airbags, anti-skid brakes and remote locking (check!).More importantly though, the Fiesta is a great drive.  The peppy 1.6-litre engine made buzzing around inner-city op shops and vintage stores even more of a joy than usual.  It accelerates brilliantly, corners neatly, and has a particularly nifty gearbox.  It's slim shape slips into the squeeziest of parking spots, making me wish I could do the same in those useless skinny jeans! There's a bit of a blind spot when reversing though.Thoughtful touches such as parking and interior lights that illuminate when you unlock it add to the impression of safety — great for women out late on their own.  As well as being practical, this beauty is more stylish than its boxy competitors, with modern curves inside and out.The dashboard is perhaps a bit too space-age  — I struggled to figure out the radio toggle and an off-putting sprawl of other buttons, but GenY would probably get it.  The cheap fabric seat coverings and some plastic fittings on the trim are minor quibbles, though by no means deal-breakers.There's absolutely no danger this little number will sit unloved in the driveway of any bargain hunter — even if you do opt for the rather hideous metallic lime green color they call "Squeeze".Ford Fiesta CLPrice: From $16,090 (three-door)Engine: 1.6-litreEconomy: 6.1 litres/100kmFeatures: Dual airbags, four-speaker CD stereo with MP3 capability, power steering, air conditioning, remote central locking, electric front windowsPROTON S16Kathryn FirkinI SUPPOSE it's easy to be impressed when you start with rock bottom expectations, but this car has definitely surprised me.  It's hard not to feel underwhelmed when you're told you'll be testing Australia's cheapest car, but from the get go the Proton S16 has been a winner.The lack of luxuries aside — because let's face it, there are none — this car is great to drive.  It's a lovely change driving off in a new car without feeling like you first need to read a manual.  Everything is simple and easy to use, and there are no nasty surprises.The car comes with power steering and is easy to handle.  Ducking in and out of busy city traffic is a breeze, and even the horn is surprisingly powerful.Space inside the car is also impressive.  Unlike many of its cheap counterparts, the Proton S16 won't cause too many cramped legs, or cause squabbles over who gets to ride in the front passenger seat.Having said that, you probably also won't have friends cue up to go for a ride with you.  It's also unlikely to raise your social status, impress prospective dates, or intimidate that jerk who cut you off.The car has character, despite being basic.  I even found myself giggling when I discovered I had to use a key to open the boot — very old school.It's biggest downside is the single driver's side airbag.  Unfortunately that's a pretty big downside in my books.  Another shortcoming is the sound quality of the stereo.  With just two speakers, music lovers will be wanting to upgrade their stereos straight away — or risk listening to tinny, faint tunes.There is no automatic version of the Proton S16 yet, although that's coming this year.  But while shifting between first and second gears in bumper traffic is not always a joy, you'll be surprised how quickly you move through the five gears on an open road.For a small — and cheap — car, the Proton S16 is surprisingly powerful and reaches 100km/h relatively effortlessly.  It is also fairly fuel efficient, with an economy of 6.3L/100km.  The bargain price tag means you probably also won't have too many concerns squeezing into tight parking spaces, or navigating hectic shopping centre carparks.So should you buy one?  As a basic, daily commuter car the Proton S16 is great value.  As a family car, or people mover, the safety features on this car are not really good enough.Proton S16Price: From $11,990Engine: 1.6-litreEconomy: 6.0 litres/100kmFeatures: Driver's airbag, two-speaker CD stereo, power steering, air conditioning, remote central locking with immobiliser and alarm, rear parking sensorsProton S16Price: From $11,990Engine: 1.6-litreEconomy: 6.0 litres/100kmFeatures: Driver's airbag, two-speaker CD stereo, power steering, air conditioning, remote central locking with immobiliser and alarm, rear parking sensors

High school leavers are now facing one of the most important, daunting, yet exciting decisions of their life in buying their first car.There are so many factors to think about: price, safety, economy, running costs, vehicle age, insurance; all on limited funds and with limited knowledge about cars, and finance.To most young people, the most important thing is probably looks. After all, you don't want to be spotted by all your mates in a white Camry in the drive-through at Maccas. And who can blame you? That's why so many young people buy old grey-import Sylvias instead of Camrys. It's because they are red, they look fast and they were featured in one of the Fast and Furious movies.However, often the car ends up spending most of its time being repaired, waiting on a part to come from Japan or simply getting it to start, steer and stop. But is used the way to go? There are many small new cars on the market from as low as $13,990 which have the latest modern safety features, plus advantages of new car warranties.The best three tips we can give you are: research, research and more research. Young buyers can start by looking at classified ads on the internet and in newspapers. Comparisons will give the buyer a good feel for the true price of a car. You should work out what you need in a car even before you start looking for one.There are choices people can make when buying a new vehicle that may significantly reduce their risk of injury and theft and can even result in savings when it comes to car insurance.What you can expect for your money Young buyers are usually on a fairly limited budget. That will reduce the number of cars available.RACQ technical officer Russell Manning advises what you can expect for your money on used cars.$3000 to $5000 Few dealers operate in this segment, so look to private sales, and all the potential problems that come with them.There are no stand-outs in this segment.Buy the best you can find for the money.Steer clear of unusual, unpopular and modified vehicles, as they're more likely to cost more to keep on the road. Expect to be mainly looking at vehicles from the mid '80s.$5000 to $7500 Many dealers specialise in this bracket.Look for cars that are popular and have a good reputation, for example early 1990s Corolla, Pulsar, Lancer for small cars, and Commodore, Falcon, Camry for large cars.Anything in this bracket is likely to have travelled big distances, so look carefully.Bigger, less fuel-efficient cars are less popular these days and, depending on your circumstances, may be a good buy.Larger cars are often more durable.$7500 to $10,000 There'll be no shortage of cars in this bracket.Expect to see cars from the mid to late '90s.Again, large cars should be attractively priced due to fuel prices, but you'll also find a range of quality Japanese small vehicles and plenty from Korean makers.Take your time selecting and pick the best your money will buy.$10,000 to $12,000 There should be no difficulty finding a quality used car in this range. There will be plenty of Commodores, Falcons, Camrys and Magnas, as well as the full range of mid and small-sized cars from the late '90s.Consider putting in a few thousand dollars more and moving into an attractively priced new small car.New cars to $15,000 All these are in the light car category. And it can pay to see if you can pick up a dealer demonstration model with very low kilometres to save a little money.Hyundai's Getz is a great little car from $12,990, and the Getz Protectz pack costs an extra $1290 but includes electronic stability program, traction control system and front seat side thorax airbags, for $1290.Suzuki Alto 1.0-litre starts at $14,990 – although we’ve seen it advertised lower than that.Holden Barina 1.6-litre three-door hatch costs from around $13,690.Kia’s Rio 1.4-litre five-door hatch often costs less than $14,000.Tips 1. Buy the type, make and model of car that best suits your needs and your pocket.2. Always have a used vehicle inspected by a qualified person.3. Don’t rush to buy your car as you may regret it.4. Ignore any promise, warranty or guarantee that isn’t in writing or that is conditional in any way.5. Don’t forget the REVS certificate.6. Never sign any contract or document until it is complete and you understand it.7. Always get a copy of any contract you sign and a copy of the safety certificate.8. Obtain reliable finance before you purchase your car.9. Insure the car with a reputable company. 

Just as the Japanese carmakers did 40 years ago the Koreans changed our automotive landscape when they arrived in the 1980s. Hyundai was the brand that forged the path for others, like Kia, to follow. Hyundai’s pitch was based on affordable pricing with a comprehensive list of standard features. It was an irresistible value-for-money deal.Kia was one the last to hit the local market when it launched its first models in the mid-1990s, but it too offered a similar deal with cheap and cheerful models with a decent array of features and pricing within the reach of just about everyone.Like the other Koreans Kia put new cars within the reach of those who might not otherwise be able to afford a new model. By doing so they sent the used car market into free fall causing values to plunge.MODEL WATCHThe Rio has been a popular small car since it replaced the Mentor in 2000. The Mentor was one of the first models Kia introduced here and while it struggled for sales as the brand built a following the Rio has taken the company to a new level of acceptance.There were two body styles offered, a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback. Both were quite well equipped with standard features like power steering, central locking, CD player, air-conditioning, and a driver’s side airbag. In other words they had just about everything a budget conscious buyer could want.Both body styles were appealing without being eye-catching. They didn’t set any styling trends with their soft lines and plump curves, but they blended into the landscape without causing any visual offence.Inside, they were roomy with quite good accommodation and plenty of luggage space. Those in the front had adequate head and legroom while those in the rear were squeezed in more tightly if you tried to fit three across the back seat.The Rio was conceived as basic transport, it wasn’t a car that excited anyone with a passion for cars.It had a perky 1.5-litre twin-cam four-cylinder engine boasting 77 kW at 5800 revs and 134 Nm at 4500 revs, which was enough to keep the Rio on the pace in the traffic scrum and cruise comfortably along the highway.There was a choice of a five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed auto with drive through the front wheels.Fuel consumption is one of the reasons for buying the Rio and it is generally good in that regard. It’s normal to achieve 6.5-8.0 L/100 km around town in the manual and 8.0-10.0 L/100 km in the auto.The suspension does an adequate job. The handling is secure enough for most situations, but don’t try pushing it hard around corners or you’ll soon realise its grip limitations, while the ride is comfortable on smooth roads, but a little choppy on broken surfaceA combination of disc front brakes and drum rears provides sufficient braking power, but there are no anti-skid brakes to prevent lockup.An update in 2003 brought more equipment, bigger brakes and some suspension refinements that delivered more comfort and better response.Like most of the Korean cars that have landed here to date the Rio’s build quality was variable, it lacked refinement and the fittings were course. Everything was there, but it didn’t quite come together in a fluid way.IN THE SHOPThe Rio was built to a price so it has to be accepted that it won’t have the quality of higher priced cars.Cars vary so much because of the inconsistent build quality it’s important to thoroughly check each individual car for its own faults.Expect squeaks and rattles from the body, the interior trim fittings are likely to have deteriorated and looking the worse for wear, and there are likely to be noises from the suspension.Early cars are likely to be approaching the time for a cam timing belt change, so check for a service record. Oil leaks are common so check the engine bay carefully.Cheap cars like the Rio are often bought by people who can’t afford to service them properly and neglect them as a result. Regular servicing is just as important with the Rio as it is for more expensive cars.IN A CRASHA driver’s airbag was standard, but Kia didn’t offer a passenger’s airbag or anti-skid brakes.OWNERS’ VIEWSEllis Olding has owned his Rio hatch three years and has been completely satisfied with it. He praises its comfort, luggage capacity, ease of handling and parking, and says the fuel consumption is excellent.Belinda Stinten says her 2004 Kia Rio is economical to run, cheap to service if you don't go through a dealer, but instead find a service centre that will honour your new car warranty. She has had no major problems with it and is very satisfied overall.Pauline Dunne loved Subarus, but turned to the Rio when she found the Subaru too expensive. She loves the Rio’s performance, comfort, style, roominess and economy, and would happily recommend it to anyone. She has says the service she has had from her dealer which has been excellent and inexpensive compared to the cost of servicing a Subaru.Sam Nadella’s experience with the Rio was anything but positive. He says the 2003 Rio he once owned was a terrible car. It had more rattles than the 1986 Ford Laser he owned before it. There was a problem with the fuel rail, there was a water leak into the boot area that was traced to improperly applied body sealant, and the radio was replaced three times without success.LOOK FOR• roomy interior for small car• good sized luggage space• adequate performance• lacks refinement• good fuel economyTHE BOTTOM LINECheap and cheerful small car with variable build quality and little refinement, but good fuel economy.RATING65/100

On sale here since July 2000, the Rio's sales started off relatively modestly but have picked up steadily over the years and there are now plenty on the used-car scene.In fact the Kia Rio has been on the Australian market much longer. It was sold here under the Ford Festiva badge from 1991 until the arrival of the 'real' Rio.Rio's styling was on the adventurous side when first launched, but was toned down in a facelift in 2002. The new model of August 2005 is far better looking than the older ones.Quite a few of these are now in the used-car yards and are the ones to aspire to if your budget is up to it. They are better not only in style but also in on-road dynamics and build quality.You can buy a Rio as a four-door sedan or a five-door hatchback. Interestingly, the current models are smaller on the outside, but provide more interior space than the original versions. The back seat can cope with adults, but is aimed at those who are yet to reach their teenage years.Like the Festiva, the original Rio is nothing special to drive in the way of handling and road feel. It is safe enough, with understeering scrubbing off speed if you hassle it at corners too hard, but will frustrate keen drivers who want more precision.Good tyres can improve the Rio but can be costly and, sadly, you are unlikely to be able to recoup the cost of the quality tyres when it comes to resale time.The Kia Rios from 2005 are a real improvement in their handling and feel, but are still not really aimed at the keen driver.Interior noise levels are relatively high, especially if the engine is worked hard. The plastics have a low-cost look and feel. However, build quality is improving and as a general rule the later the car the better it is screwed together.The bodies are generally assembled to a higher standard than the interiors, though we do see the occasional rough one, more so in older cars.The experienced home mechanic can do a fair bit on this car. Access under the bonnet is good and the Rio is not trying to break new ground in technology. As always, we caution against doing any safety-related work yourself.Insurance costs are normally in the lower mid-range, but they can vary more than usual from company to company. So it pays to shop around.Under the bonnet Pre-2005 Rios are powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine. If used moderately it will sound and feel fine — drive it hard and it gets thrashy. Performance is generally ok in this relatively light car, but if you load it up for a trip in hilly territory it may protest.The newer Rios have a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that is more powerful and smoother.Transmission options are five-speed manual and four-speed automatic. The automatic takes the edge of what performance the engine does deliver but works pretty well for what it is.Danger signs Check the interior and boot for a below-average finish or signs of mistreatment. The cabin can deteriorate rapidly.The engine should fire up within a second or so of the key being turned, even when it is cold. As soon as it starts it should settle into a steady idle.Acceleration should occur almost immediately the pedal is pushed. Any hesitation should be treated with suspicion.There should be no smoke from the exhaust pipe even if the engine is worked hard. Letting it idle for about a minute, then flooring the throttle in a quick takeoff will let you spot it.A manual gearbox should be moderately light and not crunch on any of the down changes, no matter how fast they are made. The change from third to second is usually the first to play up.If the automatic transmission is slow at picking up a drive gear from park or neutral it may be because it needs an overhaul. 

Cutting-edge technology costs a bundle and the cost is inevitably passed on to customers, but Kia wants to give the world hybrids and fuel-cell cars that don't break the bank.Kia and its sister company Hyundai have already developed a petrol-electric hybrid Rio sedan and have also created a fuel-cell version of the Sportage crossover wagon.And they are not just pie-in-the-sky concept cars.They are running vehicles and Kia is working hard to bring the technology to showrooms at the right price.Kia admits its fuel-cell vehicles are still a way off, but petrol-electric hybrids could join the range as early as 2009, although a 2010 start is more likely.The Rio hybrid might not be for public sale yet, but the South Korean government is already running 780 of them and will expand the fleet to around 3400 over the next two years.At this stage, each Rio hybrid costs about $40,000 because the numbers are so small, but Kia's aim is to substantially undercut the existing Honda Civic hybrid at $32,990 and the Toyota Prius at $37,400.Understandably, keeping quiet about exact prices.But Kia is happy to show what it is doing. It rolled out a Rio hybrid in Seoul just before it was delivered for South Korean government duty.The Rio is not a groundbreaker but does show the company has the expertise to produce a competent hybrid vehicle.It uses a 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine linked to a 12kW and 95Nm electric motor situated between the engine and the continuously variable automatic gearbox, a similar layout to the Honda IMA hybrid system.A battery pack in the boot is recharged through engine braking.The petrol engine, which has been slightly modified to run in the Rio Hybrid, switches off at idle and fires up when the driver lifts his or her foot off the brake.The electric motor assists the petrol unit under acceleration, which allows it to use less fuel.At this stage, the fuel economy of the Rio Hybrid stands at 5.3 litres/100km, which is pretty good, but greater gains are expected with the next-generation hybrid that Kia and Hyundai are working on at the moment.Further into the future, it has a green system that could deliver far greater improvements using a hydrogen fuel cell to power an electric motor.There are still a lot of challenges to overcome, including fuel-cell stack life and a hydrogen fuel infrastructure, but the benefit is that there are no exhaust-pipe emissions except water.The Kia/Hyundai fuel-cell work started in 2000 with technology bought from US-based UTC Power.Since then, it has developed and improved the system and took the honours at this year's Challenge Bibendum in China, beating fuel-cell vehicles from much bigger players including Daimler, General Motors and Nissan.The Sportage fuel cell is more than a concept car, with cars operating in South Korean and US government test fleets.Kia's fuel-cell senior research engineer Kim Saehoon says the company is not sure when it will introduce a fuel-cell model but is on track for production by 2012.He says hydrogen-powered cars will cost more, but not for long.“It may cost 20 per cent more (than a petrol model) but you would save money because hydrogen would be much cheaper than petrol,” he says.“Our target is that by 2020 to 2025, a fuel-cell vehicle would cost the same as a regular ICE (internal combustion engine) car.”On the roadA brief test drive at the Hyundai-Kia Technology Research Institute just outside Seoul proved the company is serious about fuel-cell technology.The test car was a Sportage fuel-cell prototype that had an 80kW fuel stack powered by hydrogen stored under pressure at 350 bar.It had a range of around 380km and can crank up to a top speed of 140km/h, but the project is limited by the life of the fuel-cell stack, which stands at 1500 hours.A rough calculation reveals that a car operating with an average speed of 60km/h would need a new stack after around 90,000km, but stack life is expected to be increased as technology improves.As for the drive, the fuel-cell Sportage drove much like an ordinary model, with a few major differences.First, it was almost silent. There was a slight electric whine from a gear reducer under the bonnet, but that was pretty much it.There were no gear-style step changes from the transmission and the Sportage accelerated smoothly. The performance was adequate for city driving.The test car was 250kg heavier than an ordinary model, which doesn't help, but Kia is confident that future fuel-cell models will actually be lighter.It might not be quite as exciting as a potential car of the future, but the Rio hybrid was impressive.The drive experience was much the same as an ordinary model's and it accelerated just as hard as an ordinary petrol Rio.The continuously variable automatic transmission meant the Rio engine made a slurring sound as it worked away, but it was no different from other CVTs in showrooms today.A charge indicator showed the electric motor lending a hand under acceleration and drawing energy when the car slowed.The engine stopped as soon as the car did, but fired up when the brake was lifted as the current model needs the petrol engine to run whenever the car moves forward.Kia is planning to develop its hybrid drivetrain further so the car can run up to a certain speed on electric power alone. That would be a big plus.The Kia-Hyundai developments are good news for the car world, as opening hybrid technology to budget-conscious buyers would be a major step forward for the fast-developing South Korean brands.  

For the next week; the Kia Rio is the cheapest car on the market.Kia is offering several discounts and incentives in a marketing campaign that expires at the end of this month.The five-door manual 1.4-litre model is reduced $2000 to $12,990, while the 2006 1.6 EX hatch without ABS and the 2007 model with ABS are discounted $1500 to $14,490.The Sports hatch, EX sedan and EX-L sedan are not discounted, but Kia Motors Australia is giving away $1000 worth of petrol on all Rios sold before the end of the financial year.These are fine incentives, but so is driving the car.I recently tested the base model LX hatch with five-speed manual transmission and a 1.4-litre engine, as well as the top-of-the-range EX Luxury sedan with four-speed automatic transmission and a 1.6-litre engine.It is surprising how well budget cars run these days.Both these models are well built, with a good array of creature features, well-mannered road behaviour, a comfortable cabin, frugal fuel economy and satisfactory safety features.Kia Rio scores a four-star adult occupant crash rating in the Euro Ncap tests; as well as two stars for pedestrian safety and a three-star child protection rating.So the discounts and petrol incentive are simply icing on quite a palatable little cake.The 1.4 gets along quite well for such a small engine.Mated to the manual gearbox, it needs a bit of stirring off the line, but then picks up nicely.The gearbox is on the rubbery side, but easy to use with a light clutch feel and well-placed ratios. At full belt, there isn't much noise at all. The cabin is very quiet and the little engine doesn't sound like it's screaming its double overhead cam head off.The 1.6 has more oomph, but I had the auto, so it wasn't easy to compare. The four-speeder is smooth, without flaring or hunting, although it revs out a bit much in first.Brakes are on the spongy side and need a good push to get maximum stopping power. The EX-L and Sports come with ABS, while it is an $850 option on all other models.Steering is too heavily weighted to the centre and too light away from the centre. It points into corners a bit slow and gets light in the middle of the corner when pushed hard.A tight 10.1m turning circle makes it very manoeuvrable in shopping centre car parks.Surprisingly, there is not a lot of body roll from the McPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension; and the ride is very good for a light car.Inside there is plenty of hard plastic as you would expect from the budget model, but the build quality is high and nothing rattled or squeaked. It has powered front windows, but doesn't have powered door mirrors, which can be a nuisance.Controls all fall to hand in a natural manner. You can immediately operate the sound, air conditioning and other controls without having to check the owner's manual.The 1.6 interior has slightly classier trim, power rear windows and mirrors and that's about it. Cruise control would have been a nice addition.Seats in both models lacked support and can get uncomfortable on a long drive.Cabin room is good for five adults with plenty of legroom and wide door access.The front floor mats need fasteners because they slide dangerously under the pedals. This is almost inexcusable, despite the price.The boot in the hatch is small, but has a flat floor with no suspension intrusion and is fully carpeted, unlike some competitors. And surprise, surprise, it has a full-size spare wheel under the floor, again unlike some of its opposition.While the rear seats fold down to provide a large cargo area, they don't fold down totally flat. The cargo privacy cover is also on the flimsy side.Boot space in the sedan is big enough for a couple of large suitcases and a few other bags and the floor is again flat with carpeting throughout. However, there is no boot release.The Rio lives up to the high quality standards of its brother Korean company, Hyundai. Panel gaps are close and consistent and paint quality is lustrous with some vibrant colour options available.The LX hatch and EX hatch and sedan come with 14-inch steel wheels, while the Sports has 16-inch alloys, and the EX-L has attractive 15-inch alloys.Making the free petrol offer even more attractive is how far that $1000 will go.At today's prices that will get you a little more than 800 litres.According to Kia, the LX manual uses 6.7 litres every 100km, so that is almost 12,000km of “free” motoring.By my calculations, it was thirstier than that, but that was mainly due to my over-eager driving.Because the 1.6 auto didn't need to be revved quite as hard to get moving, it returned closer to the manufacturer's claims of 7L/100km.As fuel prices remain volatile, light cars will continue to enjoy strong sales.The Rio fits the bill with a tick in every box — economy, safety, comfort and handling.   Kia Rio LX Hatch and EX-L Sedan$12,990 (LX), $18,990 (EX-L)Engine: 3 stars1.4 and 1.6 are lively, smooth and quiet.Handling: 3 starsSmooth ride and little body roll, but vague steering.Safety: 3 starsBut two stars for the LX without ABS standardValue: 4 starsEconomical driving without having to cut too many corners on featuresTech specsBody: 5-door hatch, 4-door sedanEngines: 1.4 Litre DOHC (LX); 1.6 litre DOHC CVVT (EX-L)Power: 70kW @ 6000rpm (LX); 82kW @ 6000rpm (EX-L)Torque: 125Nm @ 4700rpm (LX); 145Nm @ 4500rpm (EX-L)Bore x Stroke: 75.5x78.1mm (LX); 76.5x87mm (EX-L)Compression: 10:1Economy: (COMBINED L/100KM): 6.7 (manual) 6.8 (auto) LX; 6.8 (manual) 7.0 (auto) EX-LEmissions: Euro IIIFuel: 45-litre tank, ULPTransmission: 5 speed manual, 4 speed automatic ($2000 option)Brakes: ventilated front disc, rear drumSuspension: McPherson strut (front), torsion beam (rear)Wheels: 14" (LX), 15" (EX-L.6), full-size spareTyres: 175/70 R14 (LX); 195/55 R15(EX-L)Dimensions (MM): 3990 (hatch length), 4240 (sedan length), 1695 (w), 1470 (h), 2500 (wheelbase)Weight: 1193kg (LX), 1181 (EX-L), (auto adds 22kg)Turning Circle: 10.1mWarranty: 3 year/100,000kmVerdict: for economy, safety, comfort and handlingAgainst: boot space, steeringOverall rating: 3 starsA practical package