5th place: 2011 Kia Rio5 EX Sport – 71.9%
We have to admit, the Rio5 is at a bit of a disadvantage here. Kia’s subcompact has soldiered on virtually unchanged since 2006, and is the oldest model in our test. Still, we have to give credit to Kia for supplying us the car without a hint of hesitation about their product.
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| Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com |
And despite finishing last in the standings, it doesn’t mean we don’t like the Rio5. It feels lighter than it is, and offers a somewhat playful character with a slick-shifting 5-speed manual and light but precise steering. The engine, although strong, isn’t as rev-happy as in the Fit and the Mazda2.
The Rio5’s exterior styling is still appealing despite its age, aided by a recent facelift. Inside, the patchwork of various textures and surfaces breaks up the harmony of the design, but the switchgear is straightforward. Entering and exiting the car is among the easiest of the bunch here.
The Rio5’s strong point is, unsurprisingly, the level of content for the asking price. This EX Sport tester includes fog lights, a power sunroof, sport cloth upholstery, heated front seats, Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port for the sound system. Still, the Kia ended up costing a little more than the Fit and Mazda2.
The Rio5 does have its shortcomings, though. The driver’s seat cushion can’t be lowered enough according to some testers, while at highway speeds, the cockpit gets noisy because the engine spins at high revs. Fuel economy was the worst of our quintet, although the car wasn’t yet broken-in when we picked it up.
Despite its bottom-rung finish in this test, the Rio5 has a lot to offer. And after seeing what Kia has done with the Forte, the Sorento and the Sportage, wait until next year when the Rio will get a Peter Schreyer-grade redesign.
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| Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com |
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