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

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 Air trim gives you most of what you need, including air-con, but without costing as much as a 2 trimmed car.

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

Cheaper

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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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