Kia Rio Hatchback - Manual or automatic

The Kia Rio is a subcompact hatch first produced in 1999 and is currently in its fourth generation. First presented during the 2016 Paris Motor Show, this compact hatchback from the South Korean automaker is one of the preferred options for the budget-conscious buyer or those looking to purchase their first car. The Kia Rio, despite its affordability, can stack up with any other hatchback and compact sedans in the market. It has a great modern look, above-average interior space, and good performance that can take you from city to city.

The Kia Rio comes in several trim options and available in either manual or automatic. Here we pit the manual and automatic to see which Rio is a better option.

Variants and prices

Here is a look at the Kia Rio price in the Philippines:

Variant	Suggested Retail Price
KIA Rio Hatchback 1.4 GL AT	Php 975,000
KIA Rio Hatchback 1.4 DX AT	Php 865,000
KIA Rio Hatchback 1.4 SL AT	Php 807,000
KIA Rio Hatchback 1.4 SL MT	Php 746,000

The Kia Rio in the Philippines is available in four trim options with the top three having an automatic transmission and the base variant available in the manual tranny. The top of the line Rio 1.4 GL AT is staggeringly pricey by Php 229,000 compared to the base model. But, if you compare the SL model, just an additional Php 61,000— or about Php 1,000 difference in your monthly amortization, you can already get the 1.4 SL AT. Likewise, the difference between the Rio DX AT and SL AT is just over Php 65,000.

Engine and performance

When it comes to the power mill, under the hood of the Kia Rio specs sheet features the same 1.4-liter 4-cylinder DOHC D-CVVT (MPi) Euro 4 gasoline engine that delivers 100 PS of output at 6,000 rpm and 133 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. The engine is mated to either a 4-speed, automatic transmission + Shiftronic or 6-speed manual transmission. As mentioned earlier only the Rio SL model is available in MT.

All the Rio hatchback also shares the same ventilated disc/ drum brakes and MacPherson struts with stabilizer suspension. All cars have the same dimensions as well as measuring 4,065 mm in length, 1,725 mm wide, and 1,460 tall. All hatchback trims ride on 185/ 65 R15 alloy wheels except for the KIA Rio Hatchback 1.4 GL AT equipped with 205/ 45 R17 wheels— a full two inches bigger than the rest of the hatchbacks.

Cabin and design

In terms of cabin features, the DX and SL variants are almost similar. Ergo, it is best to compare the top trim Rio GL AT and the Rio SL M to truly see the glaring difference on what the automatic and manual has to offer and if the price is justifiable when it comes to design and specs.

Features	KIA Rio Hatchback 1.4 GL AT	KIA Rio Hatchback 1.4 SL MT
Headlights	Halogen, Projector Type with Static Bending	Halogen
Fog lights	YES	NO
Daytime running light (DRL)	YES	NO
Positioning lamps	LED	Bulb
Mud guard	YES	NO
Aircon	Full Auto Climate Control	Manual Type
Pedal	Alloy	Rubber
Steering wheel	Tilt Adjust + Telescopic (Leather Wrapped)	Standard
Push start/ stop button	YES	NO
Glove Box Cooling	YES	NO

Other conveniences and features such as rear defogger, rear wiper, 60:40 Split Folding rear seats, a power outlet, USB charger, power steering, auto light control, and power windows come standard across all models. When it comes to the audio system, all trims are equipped with 4 speakers, AM/FM Radio, CD, MP3, Aux-in and USB Ports. The only advantage of the GL and DX is the Bluetooth connectivity which the SL doesn’t have.

Safety features

Safety specs	KIA Rio Hatchback 1.4 GL AT	KIA Rio Hatchback 1.4 SL MT
Antilock Braking System (ABS)	YES	NO
Keyless Entry with Alarm	YES	NO
Immobilizer	YES	YES
Rear Parking Assist System	YES	NO
Child Anchor ISOFIX	YES	NO
High Mount Stop Light	YES	YES
Rain Sensor	YES	NO
Cruise Control	YES	NO
Auto Window Defogger	YES	NO

When it comes to safety features, the top trim will obviously have more. But the mid-level variant isn’t too shabby either with the keyless entry alarm as standard on all AT. There are dual SRS airbags for all the automatic options as well while the manual Rio only has one for the driver. Standard safety features on all models are engine immobilizer, high mount stop light, and central fascia control door lock.

Verdict

When it comes to features the KIA Rio Hatchback 1.4 GL AT has more substantial features compared to the DX and SL automatic models which justifies its higher price tag. However, between the Rio DX AT and the Rio SL AT, there is a very minimal difference and minor ones at that—steering wheel, sunglass holder, Bluetooth are nonessentials that you can easily forgo, thus, the Rio SL AT is a better choice than the Rio DX AT. And lastly, if you can stretch your budget by just over Php 50,000, you can already get an automatic SL rather than the SL MT. The difference is very minuscule that you’ll just have to add over Php 1,000 on your monthly amortization. But if you prefer and are comfortable driving a manual transmission, then the Rio SL MT is also a good choice. After all, personal preferences are what car makers value— so if you feel more comfortable driving a manual, then the Rio SL MT is the best option for you.

Also read: Kia Rio Hatchback - Reasons to buy