Test Drive Kia Rio Cinco 2001 - 2005

Kia Rio.

Autopilot estimates cars in five main criteria. The amount of advantages is indicated - b, flaws - Ch. The next subject scored four b and one C. This is Kia Rio.
EXTERIOR. Agree, beautiful still machine turned out. Koreans not constantly experimentally experiment, they are looking for and sometimes find. The successor is well-known Avella turned out to be absolutely completely at her. With something, RiOs resemble his older CLARUS and SEPHIA-II brothers, which makes it possible to talk about the formation of own stylistic traditions in Kia. And the traditional eastern swelling in Rio is very diluted with sharp and chopped corners, sharp intersections of direct in the spirit of the Fords New EDGE.
Cars that are in question, since last year, the Kaliningrad Avtotor collects. Rio is produced in two types of bodies - sedan and hatchback, but the hatchbacks are prevailed in our market. The body is made of the so-called zincometal, with multi-layer processing. Rio comes to us in 8 color options. All - metallic, with the exception of white. The minimum clearance is about 170 mm, and the arches of the front wheels are protected by regular shoes. 5 B
 
INTERIOR. Razing phrase is clean, but ... poorly!, As in meeting Kia Avella, again asks for the language. Pure - in the sense of accuracy of finishing and quality fitting its elements. Details in their places keep tightly, obvious creaks and knocks there are no. Poienko - in relation to materials. A cheapest hard gray plastic with a black lining around the dashboard and on a beard, a simple cloth on the seats - decorative inserts are made of it.
Rio abundance of pockets and boxes does not indulge, but there is a place for road smallers: deep pockets in the cover of the front doors, pockets on the backs of the rear seats, as well as a comfortable mesh pocket at the end of the passenger seat, under the right hand of the driver. The glove box is very small, but its cover does not fall on his knees to the passenger. Rear seat - with the third, children's headrest. Backrest foldable, separate, 1/3: 2/3. To the advantages, we will take the configuration of the front seats - the rear can be folded, not removing the head restraints. In the normal state, the tank of the trunk is 450 liters, with folded seats --- 1275. 3 B, 2 C.
 
Equipment and ergonomics. For the special lobes announced on the RiO, it is not necessary to wait. However, immobilizer, hydraulicer, driver's airbag and height-adjustable seat belts, semi-automatic air conditioning, electronic clock and headlight angle adjustment. There are radio preparation with four speakers and antenna. In short, the machine is equipped according to the principle of reasonable sufficiency. For an additional fee, you can still get the front electric windows. The electrical drive of the mirrors in the RIO assembled on the Avtotor is not provided. ABS is an additional option. The central lock and the rear wiper with the washer also, oddly enough, are options.
The seats are hard, very good in shape, and separate adjustment of the pillow tilt allows you to choose the most convenient position. The steering wheel on Rio is attached to tightly, without the ability to move it back and forth or up-down, but its departure and angle of inclination are optimal. The rim of the steering wheel is in moderation thick and soft, not slippery and very comfortable. The pedal assembly on the car with mechanics is located ergonomically, but the pedals themselves are low for the male leg in the 44th boot. But under the left foot there is a very convenient playground. With the location, height, course of the lever, the gearbox and the transmission switching no problems.
The windshield has topped with a tinted sun strip. The review is good, but the groove driver may not have enough angle of rotation of the side mirrors. 4 b, 1 h
ROAD. The new Motor Rio gave the car lively and crowning. Due to the changing phases of gas distribution, the initial torque is very high, and 137 nm it reaches at 3000 rpm. Unlike many similar 16-valve engines, the engine has a very good burden on small and medium turnover, and on higher transmissions it gives a tangible pickup, which allows you to actively shoot with 90--100 km / h. This applies to mechanics. The machine is also not bad - with a good reaction and soft switches, although at first behaves a little strange: it is thinking, then suddenly reacts very sharply to the slightest movement of the gas pedal. Judging by the technical documentation, the Aggregate of the new design is established on Rio, with the possibility of self-adaptation. So these oddities can be explained by the need for time to get used to the driver.
But the suspension does not go to any comparison with the predecessor. The machine is steadily resting on the road, does not grow out and does not see how Avella, on irregularities. Rio has a good smoothness of the stroke, adequately holds the trajectory, and the steering is sensitive, with distinct feedback and reactive effect. But she lacks energy intensity - the reaction to holes in the asphalt and the tram paths even scares a little. In addition, the suspension makes somewhat strain in high-speed turns and sharp rebuilding due to its tendency to the roll. There is a difficult-scale contradiction between the motor abilities and the capabilities of the suspension. In other words, it is more configured on a neat ride. 4 b, 1ch.
Features of national exploitation. On Rio in Russia, the manufacturer gives a guarantee for three years or 65 thousand kilometers. Intercelvice mileage was installed in 10 thousand km from the first to 1500 km. The average annual cost of content is estimated at about $ 200--300, depending on the run. The price of the norm-hour of repair and service work depends on the technical center and varies within $ 20-38. Prices for consumables, filters, pads, candles are practically no different from similar on Avella: a set of filters will cost $ 25--35, candles - $ 14--18, all pads - from $ 70 to $ 80.
It is believed that Rio is built on the platform widely known in Russia Avella. But the study of documentation has shown that no less well-known Sephia and Shuma also served as the donor. Only engine design is completely new. It is two-channel, 16-valve, with variable gas distribution phases. All machines are equipped with a catalyst with a lambda probe. Motor is designed for 92th gasoline. Given his Russian quality, as well as the fact that the elements of the nutrition system are nozzles, for example, did not change constructively, experts recommend regularly cleaning them.
The new suspension, according to specialists, should have a very decent storage margin, not less than 60--70 thousand km, although, as often happens with Korean cars, the quality of the assembly plays the main role. In Russia, Rio has one difficulty: at the first pores, the owners may have to face some shortage of parts and components. On the other hand, many details and nodes are interchangeable with common KIA models, which reduces the sharpness of the problem. 4B, 1h.
Our sentence. Budget car of small middle class, one of the leaders in its niche. By the ratio of price and quality, it is possible to seriously compete with more famous classmates. Must like the ladies. A good alternative for those who convert the domestic auto industry, but financially not ready to acquire a more expensive European or Japanese car. Advance - 4B and 1h.
 
Text Andrei Timofeev, Vladimir Arefiev, photo Alexey Ilyin

 

A source: "Autopilot"