Rio, Bravo: 2018 Kia Rio Is Actually Good
CARS.COM — Strange things happen with cars sometimes. Having high expectations for the driving experience can sometimes lead to disappointment, especially if it’s a car you’ve dreamed about since before you had your license. (You should never meet your heroes.) Other times, a car comes out of nowhere to pleasantly surprise you — like the 2018 Kia Rio.
Related: 2018 Kia Rio: Our View
Our Washington, D.C., Bureau Chief, Fred Meier, drove the Rio at its press introduction and offered such praise as “it’s a ‘real car’- small enough for urban parking and crowded streets, but capable enough to make a long commute or weekend road trip a pleasant experience.”
Call me skeptical, but my experiences with our long-term 2015 Honda Fit have made me wary of subcompact cars: Speeds greater than 45 mph can result in excessive engine, road and wind noise, and one mild gust of wind or section of rough pavement can unsettle the whole car. Then there’s trying to fit myself inside of one. It’s not quite as bad as this, but it’s close:
After driving the Rio, however, I must admit: Meier nailed his analysis. Here are five reasons to say “Bravo!” to the Rio:
1. Forgiving Ride
Despite riding on 15-inch wheels, the Rio remained composed on Chicago’s less-than-ideal road surfaces and even during highway driving in inclement weather.
2. Transmission Timing
The Rio’s six-speed automatic transmission also helped by keeping engine rpm lower at higher speeds during longer drives. Not only does that reduce the in-cabin noise and aggravation, it adds peace of mind because it doesn’t make it feel like you’re hurting the car.
The transmission also downshifted much more quickly than expected. There was never that moment of terror where I stepped on the gas and … nothing. You shouldn’t need to keep a backup pair of pants in the car unless you’re really into preparedness. You’ll never mistake the Rio for a sports car — even in Sport mode — but it responds readily when you need it to.
3. Cabin Comfort
The cabin itself impressed, as well. I am not a small human being at 6 feet 1 inch tall, but I never felt cramped while driving. I didn’t even need to rest my right knee against the center console — a frequent issue for me in small, and even mid-size, cars.
4. User-Friendly Tech
The 7-inch screen for the multimedia system seemed practically gigantic, and its tablet-style mounting helps as it sits slightly taller than the dashboard line. More importantly, its clear graphics, intuitive menus and physical controls make it a breeze to use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are nice touches, although more than one editor experienced minor hiccups with CarPlay.
5. The Price Is Right
The Rio came in at an as-tested price of $19,725, including a destination charge, which is less than the cost of the options on some cars we’ve tested (looking at you, Mercedes-Benz). For those in the market for a city-friendly car that’s actually able to take you outside city limits, definitely give the Rio a look.
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