Test drive Kia Rio hatchback 2005 - 2008 hatchback

Korean candidate

The new Kia Rio is unlikely to claim the laurels of the epoch -making machine. Nevertheless, he is of particular interest: this car will inevitably change the alignment of forces in the market. And that's why. For those four years that Rio has been sold with us, it was dispersed by a circulation of almost twenty thousand copies. Such success is primarily explained by attractive prices - after all, RIO was gathered in Russia, at the Kaliningrad Automobile Training. Undoubtedly, a developed dealer network and a long guarantee were contributed.

However, now the situation has changed dramatically. At the beginning of the year, the production of the former Rio at the main enterprise in Korea ended, and in July the assembly in Kaliningrad also ceased. Thus, one of the most popular budget foreign cars has left the market. The new Rio is much more expensive, and its high price will be a serious obstacle to real popularity.

Potential RIO buyers have already switched attention to its main competitor - Hyundai Accent. And then there is another intrigue. The new Accent, the sales of which, under the name Verna, are in full swing in Korea, and the new Rio are built on a common platform with a code designation JB. In other words, these machines are constructively identical, differing only in external body panels, interior decoration and suspension settings. In the short term, the production of an old accent in Taganrog will continue, but then it can be replaced with a more modern model. However, it is likely that soon AcCent III will appear in dealers of Korean, purebred Hyundai, occupying a niche between Getz and Elantra. And the name will come up with something else, something like KF or LF, as they have already done with the sonata.

In the meantime, the second generation Kia Rio fell into our hands. Moreover, in the most expensive version, this is a five -door hatchback with a 112 -horsepower engine, automatic and hatch. Total - nearly $ 19,000. Wow! Yes, for that kind of money you can get an automatic Lancer! And even if you get compressed in full, buying a new RIO cheaper $ 13,800 will not work. And this is more expensive than the previous generation in full configuration. How is RIO going to conquer a place in the sun?

With the design, everything seems to be clear. A good, modern hatchback with a tall body that is relevant today. There are no solutions that are cut into memory - well, except perhaps the sweeping lines of window openings, from the intersection of which the rear lights grow. Balance of the car helps to balance the stuffed wheeled arches in the Ford Focus style; However, the 14-inch wheels look unsolved in them. The appropriate option will be - inches of sedium 16. Practical inserts of unpainted plastic on the front bumper can only be greeted, and they will save a lot of money insurance companies. But behind the gray plastic panel is located too high and the bumper is no longer able to protect. Rio found his anachronism - the lifting hands of the doors, which in the exhaust age look only in a bad tone. However, Kia can appeal to the experience of Audi, which in this matter also adheres to the principles of the old school.

Inside is spacious and light. Many drivers like a high landing, and the rear passengers will definitely be satisfied with a decent distance to the backs of the front seats. As for the seats themselves, they are completely deprived of both pronounced advantages and disadvantages. Just comfortable chairs. I must admit, Rio has a complete order with ergonomics.

In general, the salon leaves a pleasant impression. There is no talk of leadership in its class, at the same time for Kia itself this is obvious progress. Materials, as before, are inexpensive, but the interior design has become brighter, intricate. The beneficial use of Serebryanka has benefited the benefit of elegance, a colorful dashboard looks festive. However, there is a really ideological element - the central console deployed towards the driver. What's this? Donation of convenience or a hint of who is the main man in conjunction? In search of an answer, we kicked Kia Rio to the Neva Ring Ring Ring and drove a couple of test circles on it.

A 1.6 -liter engine and an automatic box is more peaceful than a combat combination, but this combination is quite vigorous. A frisky start is replaced by confident acceleration, against which smooth and quick switching occur. The sequential mode for machine guns in this class is very rare, Rio also does not have it, but a clearly triggering kick -downs is offered as compensation.

The motor with the gas distribution phase system of CVVT is very responsive to gas and also elastic, which allows the box to remain longer within the same gear. And he is also a jumper enough at high speeds. It is felt that the motor was a success, however, to open all its capabilities, a mechanic is required - the machine simply prevents him from spreading his wings.

The Rio suspension, which in the city manages to in one way or another to note all types of irregularities, unexpectedly showed softness on the ring. Highly profile tires additionally erode the responses of the machine and destabilize it at the entrances into turns, forcing Rio to swim, and the driver to grope the trajectory. Changing the steepness of the turn even more complicates the situation, episodically provoking the rear suspension to live its life. But for what Rio should be praised is for the ability to keep the road, for the predictability and unambiguity of behavior. The car remains understandable even with the threat of loss of clutch of wheels with the canvas: you literally intuitively know how much glide lasts.

And yet this is a completely ordinary machine that is alien to sports. For active driving, except excellent brakes are suitable and nothing more. A small steering wheel makes three with a quarter of turning from stops to the stop, but in practice it seems that it is still dumber. In standard modes, the steering accuracy and the feedback characteristic are arranged one hundred percent, but with an increase in the speed of passage of turns, you begin to be desired. However, so often happens with many civil orientation cars.

On the one hand - a nice design, a roomy interior, an interesting engine. On the other hand, simple interior materials, an old machine gun, a nervous suspension. As a result, a viable alternative to inexpensive foreign cars. If not for the price. However, there are rumors that in the near future Rio will make a couple of spectrum on the conveyor of the Izhevsk factory. And then the car will have a real chance.

Autography
Kia Rio II
Predecessor Kia Rio (1999)
Prototype Kia Sport Concept (2004)
Hyundai Accent III platform
Premiere January 2005
Sedan body, hatchback
Engines 1.4-1.6 l (97-112 l.
Production of South Korea
Expected replacement 2010/11


Comments on photo materials

Photo 4. Mirrors of faceted shape look advantageous
Photo 10. Under the ceiling - Luke control buttons and a drawer for glasses
Photo 12. In terms of the spaciousness in the rear seat, significant progress has been achieved
Photo 13. And the pillow and back of the rear seat fold in parts, forming an even floor

The car was provided by KM-Neva, the official dealer Kia Motors
During the test, the car is insured by Rosno.

Text: Leonid Klyuyev
   
 
 
   
   

Source: Wheel magazine [No. 98/2005]