Kia Rio 1.0 T GDi 48V 118 GT-Line S 5dr Review
Category: Small car
Section: Version review
The model
Read full Kia Rio reviewThe Kia Rio is a promising small car with price on its side. Its turbocharged engines are perfectly competent around town and at motorway speeds. We’d stick to the 2 trim because it adds AEB, gives you access to our favourite engine, has plenty of equipment and still keeps the price competitive. The mild-hybrid engine is only available as part of grade 3 trim, which pushes the Rio’s price too close to more desirable and efficient rivals such as the Honda Jazz and Toyota Yaris hybrid.
The trim
See full equipmentThe top trim gets cosmetic tweaks including 17in alloy wheels, gloss-black exterior highlights, a rear spoiler, LED front and rear foglights, twin exhaust tips, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, faux carbon-fibre interior trim, aluminium pedals, keyless start, front parking sensors and a blind-spot warning system.
The engine
See full engine specsThis is essentially a more powerful, 118bhp, mild-hybrid version of the regular 1.0-litre (badged 1.0 T-GDi 48V). That means there is a small electric motor and battery, which adds a little electrical ‘kick’ to the engine as you drive around. The assistance is very mild, however, and you won’t notice its extra power unless you’re pushing on particularly hard, so we don’t think it’s worth the additional outlay.
