Test drive Kia Rio hatchback 2005 - 2008 hatchback

Selectator meeting

Hyundai Accent
The sedan produces since 2001 the Taganrog Automobile Plant (Tagaz). The basic Korean model has been produced since 1999 (first generation since 1994). In 2003, the Russian car was somewhat refreshed his appearance.
Engine: gasoline 1.5 l (102 hp).
Gearboxes: 5-speed mechanical, 4-speed automatic.
Configuration: 5 options.
Price: $ 10 80013 060
(302 700365 700 rub.).

Kia Rio
In 2001, the assembly of hatchbacks and sedans at the Kaliningrad Autotor plant was organized. In Korea, the car has been produced since 1999, in 2002, facilifting was carried out.
Engine: gasoline 1.5 l (97 hp).
Gearboxes: 5-speed mechanical, 4-speed automatic.
Configuration: 5 options.
Price: $ 11 20013 700
(313 600383 600 rub.).

We do a lot on the machine: we go shopping, go to work, to the cottage, we take the children to the school house-work-house-work, perhaps, automatism is not so bad. It allows you to keep itself in shape and avoid destructive stress.
What is a driver in a metropolis day day day? Of course, traffic jams. Clutch-transmission-gaz-finishing-passing ... We cannot avoid congestion, but there is an experienced tool to easier for ourselves life automatic transmission. On our test, the most budget machines in the Russian market, the Russified Koreans Hyunde and Kia. Which of these funds is better?

Life on the machine
Hyunde accents to us well: he works in the editorial office and has repeatedly participated in runs. A copy that fell into the hands this time is distinguished by slightly updated appearance and interior details. The most significant amendment: the steering wheel is adjusted in height! Now here the driver will be able to sit here tall above the average, and before the steering wheel lay on his feet.
A surge of the starter under the hood rumbled. Here are the first claims: there are no badges indicating the position of the selector on the simple panel of the devices. Because of this, sometimes we have to lower your head and look out where we will go now. Frankly, not too modern solution
The sightseeing in the accent is good thanks to the moderately chubby lateral stands and rather large mirrors. Out of the operational scope, I push the pedal on the floor. With a slight delay, the motor begins confident acceleration up to maximum revolutions. It is accompanied by a rather loud baritone, falling when moving to the next step. With calm acceleration, the car confidently goes after the pedal in unison for its own buzzing.
But with slowdown, as we have already noted more than once, the accent has some problems. Pretty tight and not too informative pedal makes you slow down ahead of time. Probably, the brakes were originally counted under ABS, which is not in our configuration.
Rio, on the contrary, has a clear slowdown and confused dynamics. You can’t say this about the editorial machine with mechanics, so we blame the machine. He now and then cannot decide on the choice of transmission jumps up and down. In addition, the transmission works rude: the moment of transition from increased transmission to lowered is difficult not to notice. You expect simplicity of communication, and you have to get used to the nuances of the box. However, it is quite easy to get along, so after a quarter of an hour you do not immediately remember, at the wheel of Hyunda or Kia at the moment sit!

Half a half up
Automatic accent in minimal configuration does not indulge in luxury. Lower the glass manually, set up the mirrors, but the radio flaunts on the console, and the retractable cup holders hide below.
Rio looks more modern and equipped richer. Hence the difference in price: the experimental kia is more expensive than an accent by almost $ 900. As for the functionality, the Rio sedan lacks a small but very important option for the folding back of the rear seat. However, if this issue is fundamental, it can be solved by the purchase of a Rio hatchback, the benefit will have to be paid a little.
Looking at the list of configurations, you understand that there are only half a century between the machines. For example, the maximum equipment of both includes ABS, pillows, electric grinders ... But the decoration with skin and cast discs are available only for Kia.
Our experience
Kia at the time of preparation of the number was a champion for warranty obligations: 5 years or 120 thousand kilometers. Hyunde 3 years and 60 thousand, dealers offer extension up to 5 years and 100 thousand. Alas, judging by the editorial fleet, for Rio, the guarantee is more important: our car went several times for repairs. Maybe she was just not lucky? In any case, the emphasis behaved more reliable.
On the other hand, Hyunde tolerates frosts worse, after minus 20 you will not get it. He also has less road clearance ... Finally, in order to completely fill the scales, let us recall the efficiency: the editorial emphasis with an automatic transmission consumes less than Rio with mechanics, in winter mileage 7.2 versus 8.0 l/100 km (ZR, 2004, No. 3, 10).
What, a difficult result of a selector meeting? The authors tend to give preference to a car from Taganrog. The decisive factors are a lower price and a more logical machine. Well, of course, the split back worked ...

SUMMARY
Hyundai Accent is still the most affordable machine not only in the class, but also in the market. What other recommendations are needed?
+ A clear gearbox, a capacious trunk, a split back of the rear seat.
- Unserfounded appearance, small road clearance, noisy motor, requiring the habit of brakes.

Kia Rio to the Sedan claiming for solidity will adapt to any driver, regardless of gender, age and character.
+ Cozy modern interior, good brakes, convenient landing, attractive guarantee.
- hard suspension, illogical machine, large average consumption
fuel.

 
 

 

 

 

 

Mikhail Gzovsky
 

Source: The magazine "Driving"