2020 Kia Rio Hatch

Now available in Kia showrooms is the latest new 5-dr Rio Hatch.  Building on the successes of the previous model and offering decent, reliable transport in relative comfort, the new Rio Hatch is a worthy small hatch contender.

All 2020 Kia Rio Hatch models, except for the GT–Line, use the 1.3-litre, inline 4-cylinder petrol engine.  This motor is well suited for the buyer after a no-nonsense A-to-B vehicle that packs 74 kW of power and 133 Nm of torque to get the job done.  It feels lively enough, and runs like a Lab eager to please.  The torque output is on the daintier side, so, when you load up the small Kia Rio Hatch with big bodies and luggage, the car does take a little time to get up to speed.  That said, the motor is smooth and efficient and is linked to either a six-speed auto or six-speed manual gearbox.  This makes for a great city commuter that is happy to lollop along the motorway.

Believe it or not, the Kia Rio Hatch packs more punch in the torque department with a smaller cc engine in GT–Line attire.  Equipped with the tiny 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine, the Kia Rio GT–Line Hatch brings a much heftier 172 Nm of torque to the table, and this peak torque is accessed much lower down in the engine revs (1500–4000 rpm) compared with the larger engine’s 133 Nm found at 4000 rpm, which makes the GT–Line much better at hauling a full load of people and luggage about town or running on the open road.  It also has the superior 7-speed DCT gearbox, and feels readier to respond with peak performance should you require it.

Both engines run on regular unleaded fuel, and any new Kia Rio Hatch runs efficiently whatever the demands.  You should see around 6 litres/100 km fuel efficiency most of the time, and sometimes lower.  And, to give you an idea of oomph; you should be able to sprint to 100 km/h in around 10 seconds for either of the engines, with the 1.0-litre getting there a smidgeon quicker.

Kia state that it is possible to tow with the 5-dr 2020 Kia Rio Hatch, so running a small trailer load of rubbish to the tip is a goer, with an un-braked trailer weight of 450 kg or a 1000 kg trailer allowed.

Sport and GT–Line models sit on a nice set of 17-inch alloys which fill out the wheel arches very smartly.  The S versions use the simpler 15-inch design.  Underway, the new Kia Rio Hatch rides very comfortably and deals with road undulations nicely.  The seats are comfortable and the cabin remains a pleasant space to spend time in travel.  Chuck it through the corners, and, understandably, there is more body roll than some rivals, with the emphasis from Kia being on ride comfort rather than sport.  With that firmly in the back of your mind, the 2020 Kia Rio Hatch is easy to drive and easy to live with.

A new Kia Rio comes with a very decent array of active and passive safety features.  All models boast ABS, VSC, VSM, hill start assist, reverse parking sensors, a rear view camera, dusk sensing headlights, Halogen DRLs, child restraint anchorage points, isofix mounts, front and curtain SRS airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners, side door impact beams and childproof door locks.  Your new Kia Rio Hatch keeps the thieves at bay with an engine immobiliser system, and all cars come with remote keyless entry for the doors and the boot.

So now to the question of: how practical is the car?  Rear-seat passengers behind tall front seat occupants will find legroom pretty tight, but headroom in the back is enough for adults to sit up straight without feeling cramped.  Boot space is a Rio strong point within its class.  There is 325 litres of space behind the back seats which is more than a VW Polo or Ford Fiesta but less than a Honda Jazz, which has 30 litres more.  Of course, the split folding rear seats make life a breeze when opting for carrying extra luggage over carrying passengers.

2020 Kia Rio Hatch

One other nice aspect about the new Kia Rio is that the front seats are spacious and the dash attractive.  The driving position is good, and there is a reasonable infotainment/touchscreen system which looks good and was responsive to use, the higher-end models have the better versions.  There are also some manual buttons to control the air-conditioning and media systems; however Kia has done a nice job of making the dash attractive and uncluttered.  Standard equipment includes: air-conditioning, electric windows, an infotainment display, Bluetooth, LED daytime running lights and 60:40 split-folding rear seats.

Kia Rio Hatch GT-Line

Sport and GT–Line models offer a leather-trimmed steering wheel, automatic air-conditioning, black faux-leather upholstery, a seven-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation, heated seats and steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers and tinted windows.  Android Auto and Apple CarPlay play nicely with the smartphone connectivity your new Rio.

The GT–Line also boasts flash 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, stainless-steel pedals, black and red faux leather upholstery and LED rear lights.

Being able to purchase a reliable new car and then own it a lot longer will be an easy, pleasant experience with Kia’s new Rio Hatch.  A long seven-year warranty comes with the 2020 Rio Hatch territory.  The car is cheap to run and comfortable to live with.  All in all it’s a great small Hatchback package.

2020 Kia Rio Hatch

The 2020 Kia Rio Hatch models will include the:

• Rio S Manual
• Rio S Automatic
• Rio Sport Manual
• Rio Sport Automatic
• Rio GT–Line DCT

For any more information on the Kia Rio or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181.  If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Kia dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours.  Private Fleet – car buying made easy!