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The all-new KIA Rio has arrived at DJ Kia!
The 2012 Kia Rio proves that good looking, well built, well engineered and well equipped cars can also be very affordable. The new Kia Rio is European designed, custom tuned for Australian roads and comes with a very attractive price tag. New Rio gets a sharp look from the pen of ex-Audi designer Peter Schreyer, along with Kia's new 1.6 litre petrol engine.
Safety
Standard safety features for the 2012 Rio range include six airbags - front, side and curtain - along with optional projection headlights and static cornering lamps.
Electronic stability control, brake assist, hill-start assist, ABS brakes and electronic brake-force distribution are also standard across the range, forming part of Kia's new Vehicle Stability Management system.
The Mechanics
Opening the range is the Rio S, powered by a 1.4 litre MPi petrol engine producing 79kW and 135Nm of torque.
Transmissions for this grade include a six-speed manual transmission and a four-speed auto. In manual form, fuel consumption is listed at 5.7 l/100km, while the four-speed auto uses 6.3 l/100km.
Moving up to the mid-range Si and top-shelf SLi variants, power is provided by a new direct-injected 1.6 litre petrol engine producing 103kW and 167Nm of torque - up 21kW and 22Nm over the earlier version of the 1.6 litre Gamma engine. Paired with a six-speed manual transmission, the 1.6 litre engine lists fuel consumption of 5.6 l/100km, while the six-speed auto returns 6.1 l/100km.
Braking is managed by 256mm discs at the front and 262mm discs at the rear for the S and Si models, and 280mm/262mm discs for the top SLi spec.
As with the Optima and Sportage, the Rio gets an Australia-optimised suspension package, with MacPherson struts up front and a coupled torsion beam axle at the rear. There is also an electric power-assisted steering system.
Features
Features such as Bluetooth, AUX, iPod and USB connectivity, all controlled from the steering wheel, are standard across the range.
Cruise control is standard for the Si and SLi, along with daytime-running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, projection front headlights, static cornering lamps and auto light control.
"Rio is a crucial member of the Kia family," Kia Motors Australia President and CEO Mr MK Kim said. "As the car that introduced so many Australians to Kia, its role as an ambassador cannot be overstated".
"The new Rio will continue that role, but as the beneficiary of all Kia has learned and refined since the journey began. It will do so with a new level of refinement, a new maturity and a new richness."
Contact Rodney Gates or Michael Priest to arrange a test drive today!
Kia Rio Review .. “ The Motor Report”
Summary
Kia has made a bold move by taking the Rio nameplate upmarket - the SLi is now just $360 shy of VW’s Polo 77TSI Comfortline DSG - but this is a genuinely good product.
The SLi flagship packs a lot of equipment for its $21,990 asking price, and tackles established European and Japanese machinery for value while equalling them for build quality and driving dynamics.
The Rio, like the Optima and Sportage, will surely do much to change buyer perceptions about the Kia brand. The only question is, can Kia Australia secure enough Rios to satisfy demand?
For Full report : http://www.themotorreport.com.au/52401/2012-kia-rio-sli-five-door-automatic-review
Car Showroom
All New Kia Rio
Overview
All-new Kia Rio is a marked step-up from its rather basic predecessor – make no mistake, the newcomer can go toe-to-toe with the best compact cars on the market. New Kia Rio delivers larger exterior dimensions and more interior space than all previous Rios and is much better equipped with a premium feel evident as soon as you climb inside.
And new Kia Rio also ticks the safety boxes with ESP and six airbags standard across the range – Kia is expecting the maximum five star safety rating when NCAP barrier testing is done.”
On The Road
“When it comes to ride and handling, we can report without hesitation that the all-new Kia Rio is amongst the very best compact cars we’ve driven.”
Verdict
Well you can forget the old Kia Rio, the all-new model takes Kia to the major leagues for compact cars.
Standout European styling – yes. Modern and stylish interior – yes. Top-shelf driving dynamics - yes (and a tip of the Car Showroom hat to Kia for funding that local chassis tuning).
And, like all Kias a major factor in Rio’s undoubted sales success will be value-for-money. Like the Cerato, Sportage, Optima, Grand Carnival and Sorento, you get a lot of car for your coin and a real premium feel every time you open the door and climb inside. This is the new Kia folks and you simply must include the Korean giant on your shopping list.
Full Story : http://www.carshowroom.com.au/newcars/reviews/2190/2011_Kia_Rio_Review_and_First_Drive
CAR ADVICE
By Alborz Fallah | September 1st, 2011
Overview:
“The new Kia Rio is a huge step forward from the previous model with the only thing shared with the outgoing Rio being the badge.”
“...the new Kia Rio is more of a revolution than an evolution of the old model, so any comparisons on price are unjustified
“...the standard Rio (1.6L) remains the only car in its class to offer more than 100kW of power.”
Interior:
“The Kia Rio’s interior is one of the best we’ve seen in the light car class. Even the absolute base model comes with Bluetooth telephone and audio connectivity with full iPod/USB support and steering wheel controls”
Environmental:
“If it makes you feel any better, Kia says the new Rio is 85 per cent recyclable and includes the use of recycled bumpers for the rear wheel liners. Even the seats are made from five per cent soy bean extracts.”
Safety:
“As expected, safety is top notch with all variants getting the full compliment of safety features. Six airbags, ESC, ABS, EBD, BAS and TCS are all standard (if none of those acronyms make any sense, just rest assured knowing the Kia Rio is destined to achieve the maximum five-star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program).”
Summary:
“Ten years ago no one would dare compare a Volkswagen with a Kia. These days it’s becoming standard practice. Even if the fourth-generation Kia Rio didn’t look as good as it does, given the level of standard features, high build-quality, a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty and excellent ride and handling, you’d be mad not to put it on your shopping list.”
Full Story: http://www.caradvice.com.au/135129/kia-rio-review/
