Kia Rio 2015 Review

We love:

• Seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty
• Full-size spare tyre, unusual for a little car
• Inexpensive servicing, $907 over three years.

Pain points:

• No sat nav or reversing camera
• No rear parking sensors
• Lacks modern technology

Kia Rio 2015 review

Do you like to know exactly what your costs will be for years down the track? The 2015 Rio will offer you no nasty surprises, with fixed price servicing and a seven-year warranty, you can plan your future with certainty. If you can compromise the lack of the latest technology for the reliability of the 2015 Kia Rio, this car will suit you perfectly.

There are six different trim levels, so in this review, we will concentrate on the middle of the range. Keep reading to see how the 2015 Rio stacks up or find out more about Kia car loans.

Exterior of the Kia Rio 2015

Sharp Euro-styling sets the 2015 Rio apart and asks for that second glance in the street. The five-door hatch has a rakish flair, a look which is still totally fresh today, though the model is now in its fourth generation.

Image courtesy of Cars Guide

While changes for this model are mostly under the bonnet, the exterior does have new shaped bumpers and a shinier finish to the grille that joins the upward sweeping headlights. Tinted glass and a rear spoiler finish the perky hatch perfectly. The car feels, and is, solid, weighing in at 1,221 kilograms - quite hefty for a small hatch.

The only standard colour was white, with the eight optional shades costing more. Except in the Rio Sport, which comes in Digital Yellow as standard.

Inside the Kia Rio 2015

Inside the Rio, you find quite a bit of black, with the speedo and audio displays highlighted in red. The driver's seat can be adjusted six different ways, including height, and the steering wheel angle and distance from the driver can be set too. There are steering wheel-mounted controls for audio, phone and trip metre.

Image courtesy of Which Car

Storage inside the cabin includes a large glovebox, bottle holders in each door, and a tray for your phone above the gear lever. Safety includes six airbags, electronic stability control, ABS brakes, hill-start assist, and seatbelt reminders for every position.

The boot space can hold 288 litres, even with a full-size alloy wheel spare under the floor. Folding down the seats increases the space to 923 litres.

Connectivity

The entertainment system in the 2015 Rio is a little dated, featuring a CD/radio with iPod connectivity and MP3 storage. The volume control is speed-dependent, so as you accelerate on the freeway, your tunes will stay right there with you.

The Bluetooth is super-easy to use, and re-connects quickly when you start the car, and the sound is better than you might expect. There's a tray positioned perfectly to hold your smartphone and keep cables stored sensibly and safely. You also get two 12V power outlets in the front console to keep your devices charged.

While the system is quite retro when most cars this year have touchscreens, phone mirroring and reversing cameras, its ease of use is a huge plus.

What's it like to drive a Kia Rio 2015?

This edition of the Rio has improved suspension, better steering and enhanced comfort and control. The ride is firm, comfortable and controlled around town, stable and firm through corners, over rough roads and speed bumps.

Image courtesy of Cars Guide

The car is designed for daily commutes and city driving, still performing well on the highway but requiring a little more attention to keep the steering aligned than a car designed for cruising.

Who's the Kia Rio 2015 for?

If you need a runabout that is totally reliable and guaranteed to remain affordable, the Kia Rio 2015 is the right car. While it's missing some of the features of the competitors, it overcomes these by offering a full seven-year warranty with total capped price servicing under the warranty period costing $2,383, or just $341 per year.

This gives you the financial freedom of not worrying about expensive servicing or repairs, and you can plan your overseas trips, new home purchase, or other major life events without worrying whether your car will make it through.

Feature Summary

Price: new from $15,990; now available second-hand from $9,500.

Engine: 1.4L four-cylinder with 79kW/135Nm or 1.6L

Transmission: four-speed or six-speed automatic

Wheels: 15-inch alloy

Safety: 5 star ANCAP

Fuel: 6.3L/100km

Emissions: g/km

AV and tech: Six-speaker radio CD

Seats: 5

Doors: 3 or 5 doors

You can finance a second-hand Kia Rio 2015 from $50/week*, get a quick quote to find out exactly what it will cost to embrace your true style.

No time to shop around for your car? Just tell us exactly what you want, including the features and colour. We will find the vehicle to match and negotiate the best price for you.

*Over a 5-year loan term.