2010 Kia Rio review

[KiaDxb]

This car’s name might be Rio, but it certainly doesn’t dance on the sand.

Nope, it’s just a small family hatchback that’s destined to stay on the mean streets buzzing between the apartment, the kid’s school, the office and maybe the mall if you’re lucky. No sand driving goings on here, thank you very much.

Which, considering the single engine that’s on offer with the Rio isn’t exactly a bad thing. The 1.4-litre engine isn’t what you’d call over endowed with power and the four-speed automatic gearbox doesn’t really help matters either. Performance on the road is rather relaxed.

The Rio has been around in its current form since 2006 though a facelift to bring it in line with the new models on Kia’s books like the funky Soul is imminent. It’s a fairly anonymous looking five-door hatchback even with the new chrome grille. The main rivals to the Rio are cars like the Nissan Tiida and the Chevrolet Cruze – though the latter is only offered in less practical four-door sedan form.

Functional is the word that springs to mind when describing the Rio’s cabin – it’s nothing too drab, but then it’s not too in your face either. Equipment levels are pretty misery, but then the Rio is rather cheap for the amount of car you’re getting, so you shouldn’t feel too short changed. Five people will fit in with a bit of encouragement, but the performance will be somewhat blunted if its five stocky rugby players on board.

SOURCE: http://automiddleeast.com/2010-kia-rio/