2020 Kia Rio Hatchback Automatic Review

2020 Kia Rio Hatchback Automatic Review - When you listen to somebody claim "Kia Rio," specific assumptions follow, chief among them a small dimension and a low price. The newest version of the Rio, redesigned for its fourth generation in the United States, strikes those marks with a below-$ 15,000 starting cost and also tidy dimensions. Exactly what you could not anticipate to locate is refinement, class, and a charitable helping of features. That's where the 2018 Rio provides on the Kia brand's tagline, "The Power to Surprise."

Equally as when it debuted in the very early 2000s, the subcompact Rio stays the tiniest Kia you could get in the States. It's readily available as a sedan or as the four-door hatchback checked here, as well as it trips on a system shown to the Europe-market Hyundai i20 in addition to the upcoming Kia Stonic as well as Hyundai Kona subcompact crossovers.


Unlike earlier Rios, though, the newest ranks amongst the better autos to drive in its sector. While its fundamental framework configuration of a strut-type front suspension and also a torsion-beam back axle hasn't already transformed, the new Rio's damper adjusting brings a newly found calmness to the ride high quality, while a stiffer structure helps the Kia soak up influences like a more expensive vehicle. There is very little enthusiasm to be found in the numb steering, though, and the Rio isn't fairly as sprightly as competitors such as the Honda Fit. But the Kia is substantially extra poised than the tinny and also buzzy Honda; we 'd choose it over a Suitable for a long trip.

2020 Kia Rio Hatchback Automatic Review

This more polished demeanor matches well with the Kia's newly upmarket styling. Design flair is not new to the nameplate, as the previous-generation Rio was distinctive sufficient, however the new one makes strides in its maturation. Its outside is possibly much less vibrant, yet it is handsomely proportioned as well as perfectly described, with a tasteful quantity of chrome trim on the top-level Ex Lover. There's something Germanic regarding the new Rio's deliberate, squared-off lines, and the thick C-pillar looks like a clear nod to that apotheosis of hatchback style, the Volkswagen Golf.


The Rio's interior additionally is a no-nonsense, top notch affair. Our EX examination vehicle was outfitted with the $500 Introduce Edition bundle that added showy red accents to the dashboard and also seats, yet apart from that, the control panel as well as dash focus on feature over type. The tachometer and speedometer flank a main LCD screen displaying trip-computer info, while a large 7.0-inch touchscreen controls the center pile. Apple CarPlay as well as Android Vehicle are included on the EX-SPOUSE version, although they're not on reduced trim levels with their 5.0-inch displays. The EX-SPOUSE likewise is the only Rio that includes automated emergency braking, a safety and security function found on just a choose couple of subcompacts.

Aft of the pleasant front cabin, things decline. The back seat is limited on legroom as well as clearance; although inhabitable by 2 grownups, the Rio's back seat cannot compare the rear quarters found in the Fit, which is a master of room efficiency. The Honda also reproaches the Kia's cargo-hauling capacity-- and that of nearly all various other subcompact hatchbacks-- with its capacious cargo hold (as much as 53 cubic feet of area) and flat-folding rear seats. The Kia supplies the exact same 17 cubic feet of space aft of the rear seats as the Honda, yet folding the Rio's seat increases that to just 33 dices, as well as the 60/40 split seatbacks don't lie flat.

2020 Kia Rio Hatchback Automatic Review

The Rio's 1.6-liter direct-injected inline-four is greatly the like the engine located in the previous version. Whatever adjusting updates Kia has actually made to the engine and also the six-speed automatic transmission are definitely functioning, however, as the little four-banger propelled the brand-new Rio to 60 mph in 8.5 secs-- a full 2nd quicker compared to the last automatic-transmission Rio hatchback we checked. That's although that the engine is rated at 8 less horse power and 4 less lb-ft of torque compared to before, for totals of 130 hp and also 119 lb-ft.

Kia likewise declares greater gas economy from this changed engine, and also the Rio hit an excellent 39 mpg in our 75-mph freeway fuel-economy test, surpassing its EPA price quote by 2 mpg. Thinking about how heavy our right feet are around here, our overall standard of 28 mpg with the Rio is in a similar way commendable.



We do desire Kia would certainly make the base Rio's six-speed manual transmission offered in other trim levels. It's offered only on the stripped LX model, which abandons many animal conveniences that it is just one of minority new lorries still sold with crank windows. The mid-level Rio S occupies a much more livable area with its affordable tons of tools, consisting of a back-up video camera, keyless access, cruise ship control, as well as Bluetooth. As well as the S costs $17,295, which is a lot more affordable than our crammed $20,225 EX examination automobile. (The much less desirable sedan is $300 more affordable compared to the comparable hatchback.).

The Rio begins to lose some appeal once it becomes part of that greater cost variety, as a number of dramatically larger as well as a lot more enticing hatchbacks-- such as the Honda Civic (base price $20,775) and the Mazda 3 ($ 20,220)-- are available for comparable cash. However, particularly in its more inexpensive lower trim degrees, the brand-new Rio presents an attractive total plan that impresses with its proficient owning dynamics as well as maybe one of the most polished ride discovered in the subcompact sector. It's time to connect some originalities with the Kia Rio.

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