Kia Rio Hatchback - Reasons to buy

The Kia brand has made a 180 degree turn when it comes to marketing its portfolio of vehicles. From being known to offer basic and cheap vehicles, it has successfully reinvented itself to be a preferred car brand that is synonymous with safety, functionality, and style. However, their hatchback Kia Rio offering remains largely underrated compared to other 5-seater compact hatchbacks like the Toyota Wigo, Mitsubishi Mirage, Suzuki Alto, and its cousin, the Hyundai Eon.

Officially launched in the Philippines back in 2012, the third-generation Kia Rio was one of the most attractive and sportier compacts that reached our shores. Under the hood of this South Korean car brand is a 1.4 DOHC D-CVVT (MPI) engine that delivers 100 PS of power at 6,000 rpm and 133 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. The Rio comes in four variants. Both the flagship variants, 1.4 L GL AT and mid-trim model 1.4L DX 4AT are equipped with 4-speed automatic transmission with shiftronic; while the base model 1.4 SL comes in either a 4-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission.

Designed by German Peter Schreyer, the same guy responsible for some notable Audi and Volkswagen vehicles, the current generation Rio still maintains its sporty look albeit updated to reflect the changing times. And just by looking, it’s easy to fall in love with this little hatch. So, if you are on a hunt for a new little car that could, here are the top reasons why you should consider buying the Kia Rio.

A modern and stylish exterior

The Kia Rio looks very modern and sporty. And for a compact hatch to be described as ‘sporty’ is a pretty big deal considering that it’s probably the least likely word you’d describe a hatch given the size. The front of the car maintains its tiger grille and a large front air dam with a subtle skirt to give that racer look.

On the side, there are front fog lights which are quite a big deal because not all hatch, sedan, or even MPV have front fog lights. Directly above the fog lights are bi-projection headlights with dedicated LED daytime running light designed to increase brightness so you can better see obstacles on the road.

On the hood and the sides, there are deep creases for style and aerodynamics. The sides feature power-folding side mirrors with turn signal lights while the rear features a spoiler garnish with an integrated stop lamp that enhances the air vortex around the C pillar and amplify aerodynamics and downforce on the tires. Plus, this Kia hatch comes in eight different color options so you could choose which best reflects your personality.

Impressive cabin feel

Besides the sporty exterior, the Kia Rio also has a pretty sweet cabin. The layout feels wide and will not give you that restricted feeling. Thanks to Rio’s large dimensions at 4,065 mm long, 1,725mm wide, and 1,460 mm tall, this hatch provides ample leg space that’s almost comparable to sedans placed one segment above the tier.

Besides space, design features like the 60:40 split, full-folding second-row seats, covering shelf, front, and rear cup holders, and center console with cubby adds flexibility and organization to reduce the cluttered feel. Also, the added premium touches like the USB rear charging port, touchscreen infotainment system, multifunction steering wheel, LCD instrument cluster, keyless entry with push-button start, and automatic climate control makes for added convenience that is not often found on affordable compacts.

Safety features

Besides the suite of active and passive safety and driver-assist features, the Kia Rio brags of a robust body. Gone are the days when Kia sedans are teased as ‘made from sardine cans.’ The current Rio uses no less than 51 percent Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) that enhanced the car’s body rigidity, dynamic performance, and cabin protection by as much as 54 percent compared to the previous generation.

Furthermore, the Kia Rio specs sheet also features hot-stamping of components in eight critical areas of the car. And with the reinforced body structure, expect the Rio to provide improved protection to passengers in an event of a collision. Besides a rigid cabin body, the flagship Rio 1.4 L GL AT model also comes with the following basic safety and security features:  

• Dual airbags
• Antilock braking system (ABS)
• Keyless entry with alarm
• Immobilizer
• Rear parking assist system
• Child anchor ISOFIX
• Push start/ stop button
• Cruise control
• Rain sensor
• Auto window defogger

Superb ride and handling

Most hatchbacks are built for city driving, and the Kia Rio is no exception. The Rio boasts of almost 300 percent more structural adhesive compared to its predecessor which improved the noise, vibration, and harshness management. So expect this Kia hatch to run quietly even on less than ideal road conditions. And by that, we mean common imperfections on city roads like uneven pavements and potholes. Add to that is the MacPherson struts with stabilizer at the front and the coupled torsion beam axle rear suspension that does a pretty good job in handling the vehicle.

It barely reached the 1M mark

One of the best-selling features of compact cars is their affordability, and this Kia hatchback is no different. The Kia Rio barely reached the million peso mark with its top of the line model priced at just Php 1.02 million. Here is a look at the Kia Rio price list:

Variant	Price
Rio 1.4L GL AT	Php 1.02 million
Rio 1.4L DX 4AT	Php 908,000
Rio 1.4L SL 4AT	Php 848,000
Rio 1.4L SL 6MT	Php 788,000

With all the added creature comfort in the cabin, reliability, and modern design of this hatch, the Kia Rio definitely gives more bang for your bucks.

Also read: Kia Rio Hatchback: Features explained