REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

So you don ’ t like to drive

Kia is offering the Rio as the car that will let us avoid the ascetic life of a Tibetan monk without costing an arm and a leg. They make a good case, but given this sub compact ’ s equipment-price-handling ratio, it might be better to dig a bit deeper into one ’ s wallet and buy a more flexible, more comfortable vehicle. For 2002, a new 5 doors bodystyle is added to the line.Rio is counting on its price, $12 095, to get us to pay it a visit. It ’ s a deal which, when you look a bit closer, isn ’ t really one. What you get for this amount is the S, a format as naked as a Christmas tree on December 26. Naturally, we won ’ t get huffy about the fact that side molding, hubcaps or even the cassette player are not on the list of standard accessories (though the AM/FM radio is). On the other hand, it ’ s pretty surprising to find that there ’ s no power steering or that the automatic transmission won ’ t go along with a 1.5 litre 4-cylindre engine. The so-called ‘ privileges ’ of owning the RS or LS formats cost more, as you probably guessed. You ’ ll pay if you want these conveniences (the A/C system and the automatic transmission cost an extra $1,000 each), as well as a series of little extras that make life more pleasant. The adjustable steering column, for example, or the remote control for the trunk, or a wider range of adjustments on the driver ’ s seat. The LS offers a bonus of electric windows, a central locking system, and a CD player, among other things.

This sedan offers just enough comfort for four people to squeeze inside. Since misery loves company, you can console yourself with the knowledge that your suitcases and grocery bags are hardly any more comfy, since despite a blessedly large access, the trunk fills up in no time at all (volume of 290 litres). You can make it larger by folding down part or all of the rear seat back, but be warned: the opening you get between the trunk and the passenger compartment is pretty narrow and will really only accommodate oblong objects. The style is nothing fancy, and the quality of the plastic and the finish on the model we tested were like the car itself: inexpensive. The storage areas are barely practical, but we should give its due to the glove compartment, which will hold more than the usual manufacturer ’ s literature. The instrumentation is modest to say the least (only the LS has a tachometer). On the other hand, the good news is that the controls are straightforward and within the driver ’ s easy reach.As you might suspect, the Rio makes no technological breakthroughs. On the other hand, it also doesn ’ t take us 30 years into the past. For that matter, the 4 cylindre engine that powers it, a 1.5 litre, has an aluminum cylinder head with 16 valves.

The Rio is in no hurry: it takes almost 12 seconds (with the A/C off) to reach 100 km/h. It ’ s like riding a turtle. If you ’ re the type who ’ s often in a hurry, we also can ’ t recommend the automatic transmission, which under-performs. We could no doubt have improved the pick-up and acceleration time if the gear shift were not about as precise as a stick of butter.

Add a deficiency of synchronization, an insufficiently progressive clutch and a tendency to be noisy and recalcitrant when backing up. The only consolation might be the engines frugality when it comes to fuel, which will save you money at the pump.

Fine for the city, the Rio ’ s handling quickly becomes annoying and uncomfortable on the highway (not to mention the quantity and quality of the soundproofing). The steering is too light and imprecise at cruising speed. A word on the suspension: First, it provides the Rio with a surprising level of comfort, as long as the road is as straight and smooth as a bowling alley. But if one or the other of these conditions is not there, the Rio turns into a roller-coaster, especially when you want to up the tempo.
The body understeers, rolls a lot on turns and, since it isn ’ t solid enough, the Rio sways strangely, leaving us with the sense that the suspension is really just a couple of big rubber bands. But this primitive road handling is actually the fault of the Korean engineers ’ tuning. The tires, mounted on tiny 13-inch rims, are little bald things (they won ’ t hold the road, especially when it ’ s wet) and are the main reason for the Rio ’ s longer stopping distances, since it ’ s breaking system (a classic disc/drum combo) would normally be noticed for its endurance and heat resistance. So in the end, we can say by way of conclusion that the Rio is not as alluring as its price made it look at first sight.

PROS
Fuel consumption
Fully equipped (LS)
Reasonable engine performance

CONS
Suspension sways in turns
Small trunk (290 litres)
Unknown reliability and resale value.

CRASH TEST (five stars indicate the best protection)
Driver: no data
Passenger: * * *