2010 Kia Rio Reviews

Ewan Kennedy reviews the first generation, second generation and third generation Kia Rio, from 2001, 2007 and 2012, as a used buy.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the used 2000-2013 Kia Rio.

Kia Rio is a small-medium South Korean car that has picked up significantly in Australia since the launch of the all-new model of September 2011. After two generations of Rios with conservative shapes, the 2011 Rio came with stunning styling that pushes it ahead of many competitors from Japan and Europe from a visual point of view. Build quality wasn’t too bad on the first generation Rios, sold from July 2000, improved significantly in the gen-two cars from August 2005 and is impressive from 2011 onwards. The bodies of the older models were generally better assembled than their interiors, though we do see the occasional rough one inside and out.Tip: Don’t forget that professional inspection.The Kia Rio is sold as either a four-door sedan or a five-door hatchback and has good interior space that can seat four adults, though two grownups and two or three kids is a more practical load.On-road dynamics and build quality have improved over the years and the latest models provide a fair degree of enjoyment for the keen driver. However, some may find the ride a little too firm on rough roads. Try it for yourself during your private road test.A good set of tyres can work wonders for the handling and steering feel of older Kia Rios.Kia Rio is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine in the pre-2005 series. If worked moderately it will sound and feel fine, but drive it hard and it gets noisy and can be harsh. Engine performance is generally fine as this is a relatively light car. But it can struggle a bit on hills, so it's smart to find a hilly area to do some of your pre-purchase road testing.The newer, from 2005, Rios have a more modern 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that’s significantly more powerful, smoother and significantly better in the refinement stakes. The engine was further improved in the 2011 series Rios.A lower cost 1.4-litre engine was added to the range in March 2007, its performance is OK if you’re willing to work at getting the best from the car.Transmission options are five-speed manual and four-speed automatic in the first two Rio ranges. Six-speed units, both manual and automatic were a big feature of the all-new model that arrived in 2011, putting the car ahead of many of its rivals.The four-speed auto takes the edge of what performance the older engines do deliver. It’s smooth enough and obviously makes life simpler in the suburbs, the natural habitat of a vehicle like this.The experienced home mechanic can do a fair bit on a Kia Rio. Underbonnet access is good and these cars have old and tried technology. A workshop manual is a low-cost investment that can save you lots of hassles. Don’t do any safety-related work yourself, leave that to the professionals.Insurance is normally towards the lower area of mid-range, but seems to vary more than usual from one company to another. So it pays to shop around, as always make sure you understand what you get, and don’t get, for your premium.Poorly repaired crash damage will show as paint which doesn’t match from panel to panel; and/or a ripply finish in a panel. Check for tiny specks of paint on non-painted parts such as glass and badges. Look at the interior and boot for signs of general wear and tear.The engine should fire up within a second or so of the key being turned, even when it’s cold. As soon as it starts it should settle into a steady idle. 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 aggravate the problem.A manual gearbox should be moderately light in its action and not crunch on any of the downchanges, no matter how fast they are made. The third-to-second gearchange is usually the first to give trouble. If the automatic transmission is slow at picking up a drive gear from Park or Neutral it may be because it’s due for a major overhaul.Check the brakes pull the Rio up squarely and that ABS, if fitted, operates when you push the pedal hard.Cars that have spent all their lives in the open air are far less desirable than those that have generally been kept under cover. Faded paint and dried out dashtops are the easiest way to pick ‘outdoor’ cars.

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