Kia Rio 1.5 CRDi Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Car: Kia Rio 1.5 CRDi range
Prices: £9,045-£10,045 - on the road
Insurance Group: 4-5
Emissions: 121g/km
Performance: 0-60mph 11.5s / Max Speed 110mph
Fuel Consumption: 60.1mpg (combined)
Dimensions: length/width/heightmm 3990/1695/1470

Rio 1.5 CRDi: Bigger and Better

Our Rating: No Rating Available

The Kia executives knew that if they were going to start competing with the other cars in the family hatch class they were going to have to re-do and completely overhaul their entire line-up for cars. For many companies this task would have been too daunting, but for the go-getters of the Kia boardroom it seemed all too easy.

Over the last couple of years Kia has been re-introducing their various car line-ups. Each and every re-launch has been met with excitement and better sales. All of these re-launches were aimed at taking the brand loyalty they had built up by delivering good cars at a reasonable price and rewarding their regular car buyers with updated cars that were improves across the board. The most recent re-launch is the Kia Rio.

The latest redo in their line-up of cars is the Kia Rio. The older versions of the Kia Rio had personality conflicts that had it trying to decide if it was as family hatch or if it was an estate. The redesign has it sitting firmly in the family hatch world with an exterior that looks sophisticated and sporty at the same time. The redesign has also made it a little larger placing it as one of the larger cars in the family hatch class.

Kia is offering the Rio with several engine choices. This article will focus on the Kia Rio 1.5 CRDi diesel powered engine. This engine offers the driver excellent power as well as economy. The Kia Rio 1.5 CRDi engine will get from 0-62mph in a decent 11.5 seconds all while emitting low levels of CO2 at 121g/m. Fuel consumption is also impressive for an engine that gives decent power. The 1.5-litre diesel gets an estimated 60.1mpg combined urban and extra urban.

Kia has replaced the suspension from the earlier versions of the Rio with a much better set-up that allows for a smooth and comfortable ride over most normal road terrains. The rack and pinion steering also affords a controlled steering column that is a big step up from the previous releases.

The most impressive thing about the new Kio Rio 1.5 CRDi is the fact that the basic S model only costs £9,045. Buyers who are willing to part with just £500 more can get the GS model that includes; air-conditioning, central locking system, power steering, electric front windows, twin front airbags and anti-lock brakes.

Kia is also offering the Rio 1.4-litre 16V in an LS model which includes all the features of the GS, but also adds 15-inch alloys, body coloured mirrors and door handles, front fog lamps, active head restraints and remote central locking system. Buyers looking to sport up the family hatch can add the Dynamic package that adds a rear spoiler, sunroof and an Electronic Stability Programme.

The Rio line offers the best in class interior space even though Kia has shortened the vehicle by 250mm. Overall length of the Rio 1.5 CRDi is 3,990mm making it 9mm longer than the VW Polo and 40mm longer than the Ford Fiesta.

With the release of the redesigned Rio 1.5-CRDi Kia will certainly impress a serious amount of people looking for a fun yet affordable family hatchback.