Motor companies, it must be said, are good enough to take money from customers.
Many buyers have gone to a dealership, determined to come out with a big bargain, only to end up with all sorts of accessories they never knew they wanted.
In fact, research shows that new car buyers are more likely to spend $ 25,000 on a car than the more obvious $ 20,000 benchmark. In fact, five times more likely.
Most of this extra expense presumably ends up ticking the “extras” box before signing on the dotted line. Or simply opting for a more highly selected variant that provides the added kit for a price.
Introduce the Kia Rio GT-Line. One of those cars that costs $ 25,000.
But instead of all the usual trinkets and gadgets that inflate the asking price, this little Rio has something even more impressive. An entirely new engine and transmission.
While the more basic versions of this fourth-generation Rio are made up of a modest 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine (producing 74 kW and 133 Nm), the more sporty and expensive GT line has an engine 1-liter, three-cylinder baby.
Yes, that’s right: pay for the privilege of a smaller engine.
However, this version comes with a turbocharger. One that elevates the power of the 1-liter engine to a whopping 74 kilowatts which, surprisingly, is exactly the same power as the four-cylinder engine.
It’s still not a entirely convincing argument. Wait to drive it.
The secret ingredient of the GT-Line is the torque: all 172 Nm compared to the insignificant 133 Nm of the car with normal suction.
It may not look like much, but on such a small, lightweight machine it offers the Rio GT-Line amazing performance, including a dual-clutch high-tech transmission that adds more zipper to the small Korean runabout.
With its price tag of $ 24,990 (more in road costs), it also makes a pretty compelling argument when stacked alongside other rivals: the Mazda2 GT ($ 25,990), for example; or the Suzuki Swift GLX Turbo ($ 27,990) and even the VW 85TSI ($ 25,690).
The little Kia lowers them all in price, despite having a long list of these “extras”. Think of 17-inch alloys; special GT style and body kit; LED traffic lights, rear parking sensors, entertainment information with eight-inch touch screen, reversing camera, electric folding mirrors, electric windows and sports seats.
Suddenly, that $ 25,000 has never sounded so good.
What’s more, it looks a lot like the part.
From the outset, the Rio was a notable competitor for being the least fashionable car on Australian roads. Launched in 1999, it was an awkward-looking, strangely designed hatchback-slash wagon that didn’t register at all on the list of cars anyone would aspire to have. More like something Mr. Bean could drive.
It was very ugly to look at, and not much better to drive.
Therefore, the current Rio of sharp and impressively dynamic style probably reflects the amazing advances made by its manufacturer over these two decades.
Of course, despite being the “flagship” of this model, the Rio is not intended to be a premium vehicle: like other Korean (and Japanese) entry-level machines, it is built largely at a price, not at a particular standard.
However, it has a modern and quality atmosphere both inside and out.
And this cheerful little three-cylinder engine delivers a rather hoarse, noisy exhaust note that matches the pretty spicy performance for a modest little thing.
In sport mode, the Rio even has a rev-adaptation system that drives the accelerator as it descends through the dual-clutch car. It’s really a whistle as it turns and roars stopping at traffic lights, like a chihuahua showing a rottweiler’s teeth.
None of this should deter drivers from trying out this attractive little machine.
Fun to drive, cheap to buy and to run (very happy with the 91 RON fuel a little cheaper and only uses 5.3 L / 100 km), it makes sense for young beginners and big gaps. It’s not exactly fast, but it feels fun in sport mode, where the seven-speed automatic transmission takes care of and keeps the engine well-tuned, something like a requirement.
Good looks are just an advantage.
KIA RIO GT-LINE
* HOW GREAT? He is not the youngest member of the Kia family: this honor belongs to the baby Picanto. The Rio is a compact hatch that will comfortably accommodate four, five to one pinch
* HOW FAST? Although its small engine produces only 78 kW, it is an energetic performer thanks to its turbocharged power and agile handling.
* HOW MUCH SET? Another area where your little engine helps, though it might be reasonable to expect better than its official 5.3 L / 100km set.
* HOW MUCH? While the Rio range starts at $ 20,000, this is the flagship at $ 24,990 plus on-road costs.