ROAD TEST - Kia Rio sedan 1.2
The new Kia Rio is a lot like that Plain-Jane with the milk-bottle glasses that you knew at school and who, to everyone's surprise, grew up to be a supermodel.
Not that the latest Kia Rio sedan is anything of a swimsuit superstar the car world but when considering how it's evolved from that bland and rudimentary first generation attempt into a high-quality item that's also arguably the best looking small sedan on the market, I think my analogy stands firmly enough.
Taking the parking lot walk-around, it becomes clear that Kia did a lot more than just bolt a boot onto the back end of the hatch as an afterthought. It might share its face with its sibling, but from there we move to a racy, athletic shape and a rear end that resembles the Kia Koup. It's arguably better looking than the hatch.
The next surprise is that the Rio is also among the most affordable small sedans on the block but there is a potential catch if you're fishing at that end of the stream and hence the reason I requested to test it with the 1.2-litre engine.
RUNNING'S NOT HER THING
Granted, its outputs of 65kW at 6000rpm and 120Nm at 4000 are fair considering it's a naturally aspirated 1.25-litre for which the biggest boasts are four valves per cylinder and dual continuous variable valve timing. At the coast, Kia claims a 0-100km/h time of 13.1 seconds and a 168km/h top speed.
But can it take the heat on Gauteng's fast-paced highways? Notwithstanding the power it loses at this altitude. The good news is that it does, but only just and unless you're the dawdling type you'll really have to keep it at the indulgent end of the rev range to move anywhere quickly. It looks underpowered on paper and it feels underpowered in the real world.
RELAX, MAN
Nonetheless it does cruise rather quietly and revlessly on the highway and that's really in line with the car's overall place in the motoring pecking order. Nothing about the driving experience will excite or entice you in any way but then this sedan does make it its business to keep you comfortable and relaxed behind the wheel.
Quiet cabin, check. Supple ride quality, check. Smooth gearshift from its five-speed 'box, check. Light steering for easy parking, check. Throw in an interior that's well-sized by B-segment standards and not to far from encroaching on the segment above - not to mention that 389-litre boot - and the Rio makes a lot of sense as a runabout for small families.
It even has more features than you'd expect at the price, with air conditioning, height/reach-adjustable steering, electric windows and mirrors, four-speaker CD/MP3/Aux/USB sound system, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, central locking, alarm, dual front airbags and ABS brakes.
The interior design is a little on the grey and generic-looking side of the equation, even if it is neatly and inoffensively styled - it's just there to do its job without exciting or aggravating anyone.
VERDICT
You win some and you lose some with the most affordable version of the Kia Rio. It's well priced, rock-solid, refined, comfortable and pretty darn good looking but the rest of it lacks charisma and it's not really keen on going anywhere in a hurry.
Still a sensible buy, but I'd rather find another R18 000 for that revvy little gem of an engine in the 1.6-litre Hyundai Accent. A 1.4-litre Rio is also available for the same price as the Hyundai.
PRICE:
Kia Rio sedan 1.2 (65kW) - R141 995
Chevrolet Aveo sedan 1.6 LS (77kW) - R140 300
Chevrolet Sonic sedan 1.4 LS (74kW) - R159 900
Hyundai Accent 1.6 GL (91kW) - R159 900
Kia Rio sedan 1.4 (79kW) - R159 995
Toyota Etios sedan 1.6 XS (66kW) - R126 600
VW Polo Vivo 4dr 1.4 Trend (63kW) - R135 900