Review of the new Kia Rio Chill Range

The Kia Rio is available in a limited addition trim level called Chill, featuring special interior changes and an exclusive colour scheme. The Rio has long been regarded as a substantial amount of vehicle for the price and the extra features available in the Rio Chill certainly add weight to that school of thought.

The old 'Focus-sized car for Fiesta money' is trotted out time and time again when Kia's Rio comes onto the agenda but there's more than a nugget of truth in it. The Rio is a substantial vehicle for the amount being asked and it doesn't obviously feel like it's skimped on quality to attain that attractive price point, especially with the added extras the Rio Chill version features.

I'm certain Kia wouldn't be too upset if it was pointed out that their Rio supermini has in previous generation forms had only had a modest impact in terms of UK sales. In the past, budget buyers may have been a little underwhelmed by this Focus-sized car for Fiesta money, preferring instead to simplify things by opting for a Fiesta, but Kia have kept at it. Their second generation Rio has done rather better over here, offering more refinement, better quality and sharper styling.

The Kia Rio Chill comes with a choice of two engines, the 1.4-litre petrol engine or the 1.5-litre CRDi. The diesel power should be a popular option for customers. The 1.5 CRDi unit on offer features a common-rail fuel injection system and an advanced variable geometry turbocharger (VGT). Performance of the 109bhp 1.5 diesel unit is highly competitive and class-leading in an area of the market where most rivals have 70-80bhp or less. The 16-valve engine delivers 235Nm of torque at just 2,000rpm, so you shouldn't have to row this Kia along with the gearlever. For customers who prefer petrol power, a 1.4-litre 16-valve petrol engine is also available. This 1.4-litre engine made its world premiere in the Rio. Its DOHC, 16-valve unit generates a maximum of 96bhp and maximum torque of 125Nm at 4,700rpm, making the Rio one of the most powerful cars in the 1,400cc class.

The Rio is a surprisingly tight-feeling package on the road, with a reasonably taut suspension set-up that keeps body roll well in check. Whereas the first generation car was pretty entertaining but somewhat crashy, the current model's revised suspension geometry offers a little more refinement over ruts and potholes without sacrificing the fun factor. Indeed, the Rio is good sport to hustle about, the rack and pinion steering is light and accurate; something that has defeated the best efforts of many more prestigious manufacturers.

"Kia needs more customers to take notice of its Rio, hence this 'Chill' version.."

This generation 3,990mm long Rio is taller (+50mm), wider (+15mm) but shorter (-250mm) than the MK1 version. The car also has a much longer wheelbase (+90 mm) which, combined with careful packaging of the mechanical components, enables it to claim one of the most spacious interiors in the class. The Rio's wheelbase is between 9mm and 40mm longer than rivals like Volkswagen's Polo and Ford's Fiesta, while its overall width is from 12mm to 49mm wider. The overall length is between 30 mm and 168 mm longer than those potential supermini rivals. Kia has the impressive cee'd operating in the family hatchback segment but in size terms, the Rio hovers somewhere in between that sector and the smaller supermini one.

Prices start at £7,995. Where the Kia Rio Chill differs from the standard model is in its generous bundle of extras, offered at a price with undercuts the standard mid-range '2' Rio model by £100. Air conditioning, remote central locking and full iPod compatibility accompany a colour exclusive to the Chill, Cool Blue. The Chill also features 14-inch alloy wheels and a rear spoiler to keep you looking cool. Front electric windows, power steering and a 12v charge socket are also standard fare in the Rio Chill. Some things don't change though, there is only one bodystyle, the 5-door hatch.

Despite offering strong performance, the Rio diesel still meets Euro-IV emissions criteria, producing just 121g/m of CO2, and with a combined economy figure of 60.1mpg, it is certainly a hard one to resist. The petrol Rio produces just 150g/m of CO2 and with a combined economy figure of 44.8mpg, it's also a competitive engine from a running costs standpoint.

The Rio retains its value reasonably effectively but not as well as mainstream supermini or family hatch models. Buyers can expect to recoup just over 40% of the purchase price after a typical 3-year ownership period. Insurance is rated at group 4.

Kia needs more customers to take notice of its Rio, hence this 'Chill' version. Perhaps they should. It's an endearing little car with a generous seven-year warranty arrangement and a tempting array of features. There's always the temptation for buyers to stick to the more mainstream marques but Kia is doing its utmost to become one of those. A small detour off the beaten track could be well worthwhile in the Rio's case.

We particularly found the 1.4-litre 16-valve version to be quite a surprise. Like all Rios, it's much roomier than the competition and with the latest styling, improved equipment levels and gutsy 1.4-litre engine, Kia has created a very desirable package. The Koreans have obviously invested a lot of time and effort in targeting the Rio for the European market and it shows. Don't knock it until you've tried it.

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