New Rio takes to the road - In the cabin

The cabin of the new Rio has clearly been well thought out. All the major controls are sensibly located, and there are plenty of cubbies and cupholders placed around the driver.

Most people will be able to find a comfortable driving position thanks to a height-adjustable seat, but the steering wheel does not adjust for reach.

Upright seating and a high roofline provide generous legroom and headroom, whether you sit in the front or the rear.

A 270-litre boot gives you decent luggage space. The rear seat’s backrests can be set at two different angles allowing you to maximise boot capacity without having to leave the rear passengers at the roadside. The rear seatbacks also split and fold 60/40 to increase this capacity to a generous 1145 litres.

Everything feels solidly constructed but, while the plastics on the top of the dash look soft to the touch, they hold little tactile appeal.