Test drive Kia Rio hatchback 2005 - 2008 hatchback

Not shocking Asia

More recently, it was believed that Korean cars, practically not inferior to European and Japanese analogues, are less in the same trim levels. And for similar money, you can purchase a higher class Korean.
 

These times passed: cars produced in a tiny Asian country won a place in the sun and, it seems, decided not to yield to competitors in the sense of price.
 

Now, Korean ways are Chinese manufacturers offering cars, equipped, for relatively little money, is very generous. But what is behind this generosity?

 

We took the three cars for two Korean cars and one Chinese with very difficult destinies.
  

Hyundai Verna, appearing on the Russian market a year ago, embarrassed at a price so that for several months he disappeared from the salons. Now the new Hyundai distributor has returned the car to the dealers, significantly changing the price.
 

Kia Rio did not become cheaper, although perhaps it would be worth it. Sales could be large, but the Korean of the CD for 450,000 rubles. ... Especially when a more dimensional spectra from the same Izhevsk is sold nearby for the same money.
 

Chery Fora plays the role of a dumping link, offering more (from configuration to dimensions) for the same money. Having made a way from the Middle Kingdom to Kaliningrad, the car found a second homeland, which is not included in his plans.
 

Hyundai Verna
Outside

There is no VERNA car on the world Hyundai website. But do not think that its existence is a surprise for a South Korean company. Just while in Taganrog a compact Accent is coming off the assembly line, the new generation of which was decided to name otherwise.
 

In the same way, Koreans come with Sonata: while on Tagaz they continue to collect the previous version (the new one in Russia is called NF).

 

Appearance is not the main advantage of Verna. The sedan looks simple and discreet: there is nothing to praise him for; No, however, to scold special reasons. A dumb short nose, even less long feed, a smooth arc of the roof and molding along the doors do not allow to stand out and do not cause special emotions.
 

Only thanks to immodest stickers named Verna during our test towards the sedan, interested views were fixed.
 

Inside

Veerny road go, comrades of interior designers! Despite the unconventional, but so beloved by Koreans, the two -color performance of the torpedo black top, the light bottom, the salon left pleasant impressions.
 

Firstly, the quality of the materials used has grown to the European level. Secondly, there were no complaints about the adjustment of the panels, and even more so complaints about the sounds they have made.
 

Prices
In the basic configuration: from 348 900 rubles.

With automatic transmission: from 422 900 rub.

In maximum configuration: from 439 900 rubles.
 

At first, an annoying-rhythmic knock of something firm about plastic appeared on small fossils. Pound somewhere near the steering column. It turned out that the second key in the bunch, swaying, fought against the central console
 

Ergonomically, the salon is also quite modern. The driver's seat does not have bright lateral support, but this deficiency is compensated by the wide adjustment capabilities: in addition to setting in height, you can adjust the angle of inclination of the pillow.
 

The steering column moves only in height, which, in principle, does not interfere with a comfortable man of medium height. Perfect devices do not shine with an abundance of information: only the testimony of the odometer.

  

In move

To set Verna in motion, you will need a certain dexterity. Long -flow clutch is very high and does not differ in informativeness. For this reason, in the first minutes I had to move with an optional bitterness.
 

The noise of a 1.4-liter engine in the process of movement increases incommensurably power: after 3,000 rpm, Verna has not yet rode, but it was already pretty howled from the tension.
 

But it is convenient to control the acceleration, and if you close your eyes (in the sense of ears) to the noise of the engine, you can accelerate quite quickly. Within the framework of the city, of course. The programs are turned on clearly: the main thing is not to twist the motor. Otherwise, Verna pecks and drops momentum.
 

Hyundai Verna 1.4 5 MKPP
(manufacturer data)

Dimensions (length/width/height) 4 280/1 695/1 470 mm
Road clearance 155 mm
Engine volume and power 1.4 liters (97 l.
Acceleration to 100 km/h 12.3 s
Maximum speed 177 km/h
Average fuel consumption 6.2 l/100 km
 

On the highway, the sedan confidently holds the most permitted speeds and is obviously ready to accelerate further. The car stands steadily on a straight and calmly performs simple maneuvers. But when it started to rain, on wet and even asphalt I would return from side to side, and the speed had to be reduced. We write off the tires
 

The Korean suspension is quite energy -intensive, but in more detail than we would like, it describes each petty uneven asphalt.
 

Total

Ergonomics, coziness and ease of driving in the city are good compensation for inexpressive appearance. And after the base price of Verna decreased by 50,000 rubles, the car became much more attractive than before.
 

Chery Fora
Outside

Incredible mixture! True, the Chinese car of the Russian assembly?! But the price and list of standard Chery Fora equipment is painfully attracted. She is Chery A5 (aka Cheri 21).
 

Well, in accordance with Shilda on the trunk, we are dealing with the A520 model. Who did not guess: the first two symbols of the model number, and the second two mean the volume of the engine.
 

The design of the machine is traditional and strict. Facial proportions seem to be disturbed by or due to the fat chrome stripes of the radiator grill, the harmony of which violates the manufacturer’s nameplate (the shield on which the logo is placed is made in the color of the body!), Either due to rude headlights, and most confidently, because of all, due to combinations of all reasons.

 

Fora's hood is long, and the trunk, on the contrary, is chopped off. From this, Cher seems somewhat heavy. But everything could be fixed, make designers more smooth transitions from the central part to the hood and trunk.
 

Mindful of the history of the creation of QQ, Tiggo and Amulet models, it can be assumed that Fora also has a famous ancestor. But there is no one can be considered the first independent development of Chery Automobile.
 

Inside

Light leather (!) FORA Salon spacious (even for a golf-class car). The driver’s chair was first pleased with the presence of eight -regulations in eight directions, and then disappointed: even at the lowest position you sit higher than a person of medium height requires. Well, the head of a tall driver runs the risk of being too close to the ceiling.
 

Prices
In the only configuration: from 384,000 rubles.
 

Style as a phenomenon in the interior design we did not find. All elements are as if compiled. The quality of the fitting is quite acceptable, although the gaps can walk somewhat
 

The combination of devices is quite simple, but it differs from competitors by the presence of fuel consumption indicators and hours. Already something the steering wheel lies comfortably in the hands and even has a radio control buttons. The last full-time and two-day (two points against rivals) sounds ordinary and does not understand the RDS language, but has a six disks CD changer.
 

The climate control panel is made in a single style with a radio: it is also emphasized. The buttons do not drop, but they are at least accurately made.
 

Chery Fora 2.0 manual transmission
(manufacturer data)

Dimensions (length/width/height) 4 552/1 750/1 483 mm
Road clearance 155 mm
Engine volume and power 2.0 l (130 l.
Acceleration to 100 km/h 11 s
Maximum speed 185 km/h
Fuel consumption (suburban cycle) 6.8 l/100 km
 

In move

The FORA motor is special: under the hood of the sedan, the first of the Acteco units, which are specially developed by the Austrian company AVL List.

If under the hood there are 130 liters similar in the dimensions of the European or Japanese model. with., There are no doubt: behind it has a wool of GT or Sport, Anti -Wield, on the sides of plastic rapids, and from the intersection it leaves the first.
 

But the 2.0-liter Acteco does not make Cheri especially dynamic, an acceptable option, so as not to be listed in the lagging behind. Official 11 C to hundreds are confirmed completely no faster.
 

The main thing is that the engine is quite elastic: it does not punish the choice of the wrong transmission and is almost noise. At least not annoying.
 

Transigns are switched clearly and without cod. The steering wheel and pedals do not shine with informativeness, but there is no need to get used to this chars, perhaps the main conclusion after the test. A clear, well -assembled car that does not tire a driver for a car from China, this can be considered a compliment.

  

Only the suspension disappeared. You can’t call her comfortable: it is too clearly informed about the quality of the road surface.
 

On the wavy asphalt, Chery begins to swing, and single irregularities are transmitted to the body with frightening activity. Plus, excessive rolls in the turns the picture is negligent.
 

But the brakes are good: it is moderately evil and informative: each millimeter of pressing the pedal enhances slowdown.
 

Eventually

The surprise did not work out: the potential owner of the FORA has to pay for a rich complete set. But not money, the price of the car is excellent-forced.
 

It is simply necessary to realize that all the wealth of Chery is aimed at satisfying the secondary needs of the driver who is not related to the actual management of the car. That is the handicap that Chery gives to the rivals. Technically, the Fora did not amaze the banal inexpensive option.
 

Kia Rio
Outside

It seems that the current Rio differs from the previous generation to literally everything. And the difference here is ideological. The first generation was made to conquer the American market, and the second step towards Europe. Moreover, the step is not Smoburnoy, but made with prudence confident in his abilities and talents.

Koreans themselves understand how successful the car came out: the entire modern model range of KIA was built around the design of this particular pioneer.

 

Expressive square fogs give the Rio muzzle a light coating of seriousness, and the original embracing of the rear lights gives the stern of a tolein of aesthetics. The sides and slightly swollen wheel arches, the bold lines of the roof and side windows are pleased with the plastic sides. Hard and European!
 

Inside

We have already seen many details in the Hyundai Verna: the steering wheel, the buttons of turning on the fog lights and the steering wheel switches. In other trim levels, we would also find other similarities, but, in general, the impression of interiors differs like Europe and America.
 

If the Hyundai light salon is probably approved in a new light, then the Kia interior will appeal to the old Light. In general, finding himself in a hatchback salon, you understand that the supply of designer fiction and a sense of style is not waste only on its appearance.
 

Prices
In the basic configuration: from 399,000 rubles.

Complex with automatic transmission (it is maximum): from 476,000 rubles.
 

A good driver's seat is firmly and reliably fixed in corners, as in Verna, providing a large range of adjustments. An unexpected detail: the armrest on the driver’s chair caused a surge of delight. A simple and inexpensive part without any Boxing Townichoks tolerates the impressions of the car to the class above. And in many ways deserved.
 

Stylish and informative devices concerns the situation concisely. The yellow-orange eye of the climate-control of control located at the bottom of the central console distracts the eye when adjusting, but does not interfere on the night road. Moreover, there are no complaints about the functioning of the system.
 

Well, the main disadvantages are due to the model of the model. Yes, the gallery is cramped, and the trunk will hardly contain the contents of the B-class supermarket trolley, an honest B-class.
 

In move

It’s easier and more convenient to touch the Kia test in the test than in Verna for one banal reason: we got a Rio with an automatic checkpoint. I must say that the box is not God the news what four ranges and the behavior typical of machine guns for the machine guns.


No nonsense such as manual switching, no sports habits. But he goes. Moreover, he rides softly, sorting through the ranges and without taking too much from the peppy for his 1,400 cubic meters. With this combination you do not feel flawed either in the city or outside, and most importantly on a gas station. Setting the chassis is closer to neutral: not to drive, but the effect of sleeping pills does not occur. The character of Kia is calm and predictable, the steering wheel is responsive, poured by the tangible weight of the electric power.
 

The car is good on the road, and if the speed is needed to be reduced, the brakes here are disk and as effective as in Verna. Who does not understand, this is a compliment.
 

Kia Rio 1.4 automatic transmission
(manufacturer data)

Dimensions (length/width/height) 3 990/1 695/1 470 mm
Road clearance 155 mm
Engine volume and power 1.6 l (102 l.
Acceleration to 100 km/h 14.5 s
Maximum speed 168 km/h
Average fuel consumption 7.2 l/100 km
 

Eventually

European appearance, European behavior on the road all this, coupled with a rich equipment and the vigorous color of the copy that we got, gives the right to assume that the possession of such a car will be comfortable.
 

Rio is pleasant to move. It’s good to just come and admire it without embarrassing the views of others. But you will have to pay for this quite European money.


Text: Dmitry Medvedev
Photo: Roman Ostanin
 
 

Source: Wheel magazine [No. 121/2007]