Occasion purchase advice: Kia Rio (2017-present)

There is not one Kia Rio. There are four, the career of the Kia Rio starts in the year 2000. Let’s put it this way: that car offered a lot of space for its money, but you had to want to drive it and you shouldn’t expect too much refinement . It was available as a sedan and as a hatchback, that hatchback looked like a station wagon.

Second Kia Rio came in 2005

The second generation came in 2005. Closely related to the Hyundai Excel, built in South Korea, petrol engines of 1.4 and 1.6 liters and a diesel version. In 2010, this generation Rio gets a famous Tiger Nose grille.

In 2011 the third generation

The third generation came in 2011, was facelifted in 2015 and in 2017 we get the Kia Rio YB. The car is available as a five-door hatchback and the SUV-like Kia Stonic is also based on this Rio. What is special is that the car is produced in South Korea, but is not for sale there. The fourth-generation Rio comes with a 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbo engine that delivers 100 or 120 hp. There is also the 1.4-liter four-cylinder with 100 hp. Until 2018 there is also the 1.4-liter CRDi diesel with an output of 90 hp.

In this used car purchase advice a 1.0 T-GDI Design Edition

We are going out today with this white rascal. A Kia Rio 1.0 TGDI Design Edition. A car from 2018, with a mileage of just under 100,000 kilometers. We’ll go through it with you. How much car do you get for your money?

So this is a B-segment car, but today’s B-segment is the C-segment of the past, small city cars are getting big. Because you just can’t call this a city car anymore. It is 4 meters, and the wheelbase is 2.58 meters. Just a little more than a Polo.

1.0 T-GDI is a so-called downsize engine

We’re going to downsize, in the front a three-cylinder 1.0 liter engine with 99 hp. Turbo, intercooler on it, just like competitors like Ford and Volkswagen have. 100 hp for a car of just over 1000 kilos is not bad. On paper, the flexibility is also good because the maximum torque of 170 Nm is already reached at 1500 rpm.

The interior of the Rio has a sleek and calm design. No crazy things is the motto. Just like the outside of the car, actually. Funny design details are there in the form of the remarkably high placed screen and the climate control designed with creativity. Above all, it is striking that everything is arranged logically. Kia still does not shy away from using separate buttons, but thinks carefully about their placement.

The finish is neat, but it does not come across as premium. More bread and butter.

Also for taller people

In terms of seating position, it is clear that Kia has also thought of Europeans who are generally a bit taller than the average Korean. The steering wheel can be pulled nice and far into the interior, the armrest is slidable and the seat is extensively adjustable,

While driving, it is noticeable that steering and shifting require little effort. But how does it feel?

In a faster corner, the Kia reacts very predictably, making it easy to push the limit, but the car is not sporty. It is a pleasant companion during the daily (long) ride, thanks in part to the fine and relatively quiet 1.0 T-GDI.

The engine fits well with the Kia and actually leaves few reasons to opt for the 120 hp variant.

Design Edition was only available in 2018

This Design Edition is a bit different. Because it was only available in 2018. The top version ExecutiveLine cost €22,235 and offers things such as upholstery in ‘leather look’, heated seats, a large size of light metal, LED rear lights and keyless entry annex go. But also a popular version such as the Comfort Plusline already has air conditioning, navi and cruise.

These are known problems with the current generation

• Noises from cupping rear tires
• Audible distribution at acceleration
• Creaking dashboard on road bumps
• Sensitive coupling, both in operation and wear