For Light steering is good in town, refined with little wind or road noise, interior soft plastics look and feel good quality. 1 trim gets you Bluetooth and USB audio connection.

Against Get caught at low revs, and the engine has to be worked very hard to make progress. At higher speeds, the Rio’s steering isn’t as rewarding as a Ford Fiesta’s. The Hyundai i20 comes in cheaper, too.

Kia Rio Hatchback

What Car? says

3 out of 5 stars

While this 1.25 petrol isn’t a tower of power, it represents the best value for money, and the engine we’d go for. 1 trim is a bit short on kit – you don’t even get air-conditioning.

What Car? readers say

4.333333


Key facts

0–60mph
12.6 secs
Top speed
107 mph
Average mpg
56.5
Tank range
537 miles
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Features

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Size

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View the whole Kia Rio Hatchback range

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The full Kia Rio review


Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

This Rio is worthy of comparison with the very best in the class. True, it’s not as fun to drive as a Fiesta, but instead it has more of the air of the VW Polo: refined, mature and spacious.

It’s worth going for one of the higher-spec cars because they come with a better-quality interior for not a great deal more money.

The Rio range has four engines to choose from, but our favourite of the ones we’ve driven so far is the 1.4-litre petrol.

Reader test team says:

Kia Rio Hatchback 1.4D ISG 3 5dr

I have recently purchased the new Kia Rio. I have had to wait almost 4 months for it all the way from korea, but it definately was worth the wait. I…

Robert Perrett

5 out of 5 stars

Kia Rio Hatchback 1.4 3 5dr

This is a great buy for the money. Loaded with kit, and in silver it looks great with those big machined alloys and dark rear tints. The LED running…

Paul Scott

4 out of 5 stars

Kia Rio Hatchback 1.4 3 5dr

Definitely worth considering. While handling and road-holding are reasonable rather than exceptional, the car is extremely good looking and is well…

John Foden

4 out of 5 stars
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