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Budget choice
(Daily Post (Liverpool) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)IF THERE'S one thing we all have plenty of these days, it's choice. Take television as an example. Not all that many years ago, viewing was restricted to just three or four terrestrial channels, none of which stayed on air much past midnight.
Now there are dozens of free-to-view and satellite channels churning out programmes 24 hours a day. Many are not worth switching the TV on for but it's great for couch potatoes who want to do nothing more than sit in front of the box all day.
It's more of a problem for the TV producers in that it creates a do-or-die scenario as they struggle to get their show recognised among the thousands of others all vying for prime air time. Many just disappear without trace.
Budget car makers like Kia face similar problems. They have an impressive range of cars but how do you get people to sit in the product in the first place, given the market is saturated with great cars at great prices.
Once they have sat behind the wheel, the Korean car-maker is confident that models such as the redesigned Rio hatchback are capable of selling themselves. And they are right.
After spending a week with a Rio, I was highly impressed at what you get for your money.
Let's be honest. The original Rio had nothing going for it other than price and a good warranty. It was basic transportation and nothing else.
That's not enough any more, even among the smallest and cheapest supermini or small family car.
Wisely, Kia engineers knew that so the new Rio, although it may not be the best looking in the class, is pleasant to drive, loaded with features and comfortable.
Unlike the rather dowdy car it replaces, the new Rio has a definite European feel to it. Give it a quick glance and it could be an older version of the Vauxhall Astra with its long sweeping window line and its tidy rump.
Inside the cabin, it's easier to see it's built with economy in mind. The plastic panel in the centre console doesn't shout quality and the steering wheel feels thin and plasticky but the whole thing is well put together.
There are no annoying squeaks and rattles and the doors shut with a satisfying thunk, panel fit is excellent, and the seats comfortable.
The Rio does come with an expensive JVC sound system that combines radio with CD and MP3 player. It's nice but the buttons are too small, fiddly and almost impossible to read. You'll get the hang of it eventually but I was still struggling at the end of the seven-day test.
The Rio is available with a choice of two engines - a 1.5-litre diesel and a 1.4-litre petrol which powered the test car. Both are mated to five-speed manual gearboxes which was more than adequate. The petrol engine was lively enough but there was no need for a sixth gear. The Rio is no hot hatch, more comfort transport.
I thought the steering was accurate enough but not as sharp as it could have been. Visibility was excellent and there was bags of room inside to fit five adults comfortably.
THERE'S nothing grand about the Rio, but then at around pounds 8,000, you wouldn't expect it to be. This dapper Korean is more about sense and sensibility - keeping motoring finances down and fuel returns high - than flashing the latest fashion statement on wheels down the high street.
Its stylists won't cause your heart to miss a beat but it will, and does, attract admiring glances for its perky, neat profile, particularly when you take into account its bargain price tag.
The Kia super mini is, without doubt, an attractive proposition in its category as its competitive outlay, pound for pound, is hard to beat.
For instance, even entry level models come with decent CD/radio, electric front windows as well as air conditioning.
The test car was a GS trim model, which adds on a few extra goodies to include electric windows all around, alloy wheels, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, and front fog lamps. Few car makers can rise to this challenge.
The Korean, although squarely in the super mini league, offers more generous accommodation than most of its rivals.
Its not just those of us vertically challenged (5ft 2 ins) that appreciate the spacious cabin. Those in the 6ft category too can travel with decent leg and elbow room, in front and back.
The test car's 1.4,16-valve petrol unit darts to 62 mph in a whisker over 12 seconds. Not bad - especially when you become aware that the car can achieve a mixed fuel return of just under 50 mpg.
While you have to be diligent using the 5-speed transmission when encountering hills - in town or elsewhere - to get a decent response, in other respects the car is reasonably responsive.
Even when put under duress, the 1399cc engine doesn't complain too loudly and wind and road noise seem well screened from the occupants.
The main thing is the super mini, super bargain drives well. The steering is a little "light headed", but not enough to put you off and although body roll is noticeable it is not unduly so.
Degree of comfort is as good as most models towards the top end of the super mini niche and the general impression, mechanically and build-wise, is of a good quality.
Where the Rio pride slips a little is in the heavy use of old fashioned plastic materials in the cockpit. They make the Kia look a little dated.
Overall, the Rio is a pleasant car to drive and be in, offering good accommodation for five people.
The bonus is it comes with three years unlimited mileage warranty - and it is expected that it will soon achieve a four star rating from crash testers Euro NCap.
Kia Rio 1.4 GS
ENGINE: 1399cc16V 96bhp@6000rpm 92.5lb/ ft@4700rpm
PERFORMANCE: Top speed: 110mph 0-6omph: 12.3 secs
ECONOMY: Town: 35.3/ out of town: 53.3/ mixed: 44.8mpg
CO2 EMISSIONS: 150g/km
INSURANCE: Group 4 PRICE: pounds 7,995
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