I noticed that a number of my Brit colleagues have regularly panned the brand. Which means that the Kia Rio can't be all bad. In fact, might well be quite good.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not anti-Brit. It's just that they can be anti-everything not Brit. Even if they don't really have much left in the motor industry that's real Brit anymore. Except newly-reborn Brit MG Rover, which I reckon is going to be the first Brit motoring success story for a long time.
But we're talking Korean here. Kia. Owned by Hyundai since recently but a brand which is successful in its own right, particularly in the US of God Almighty of motoring A.
World's biggest inividual market. If Toyota can be its biggest-selling car in many years - Camry, and to this writer's mind deservedly so - then any other Asia manufacturer that does well there too is worthy to say the least.
Kia does well. Which brings us back to Rio, its entry level car in Ireland since Harris Auto took over the franchise this year and did a proper job by providing us with the full range of the latest cars from the manufacturer.
If you haven't heard much about them yet, its because there won't be an official launch until next month. And Harris is busy building up a dealership network which is worthy of the brand.
Hmm ... so where does Rio fit?
In the value slot, first. Look on it as a Toyota Corolla/Opel Astra/Ford Focus competitor in size and segment.
And no, it doesn't beat them in a lot of respects. Except in price. At £12,000 for the 1.3-litre saloon (there is a very intriguing-looking sportwagon for the same price) we're spending around two grand less for the equivalent car.
Down here, two big notes is significant money.
So, stylewise? Damn good in the metalpressing. Better than most of the more expensive competition, and streets ahead of its owner's Accent and country cousin's Lanos.
Look at its C-pillar curves and the tail treatment and you have some of the best detailing in the business.
Inside, maybe it's not up to the same level, more what we used to get from the best of Japanese interiors. And since they still don't come as good as their current European competition, Rio might appear to lag a little.
Except that it's not bad. And we're still watching that two grand. And for most owners, the fittings and finish are going to last as long as is necessary in the toughest of circumstances.
Longer, maybe, than might last some of the more luxurious competition?
Ah, enough of the kind of excuses. How does the Rio go?
Well enough to warrant the value I'm putting on it. The 75PS engine has a nicely low torque peak at 3000rpm, so it is a tidy car to drive in traffic.
It's not the quietest car in the class, and I'd like a tad more soundproofing of the engine compartment ... but again, remember that two grand?
The controls are as close to Japanese in efficiency and ease of use as you're going to get. The spaces and places for bits and pieces are equally so. The boot is large, the rear seats flexibility unique at the price, and if there's a fair expanse of plastic in the cabin, it's of (dare I say it?) an arguably better quality that equivalent offerings in the brand's owner's.
Handling? Hey, at 75PS we're not looking for Porsche stuff here. It does well enough, no more, and no more is required.
Bottom line, Rio is a good-looking car, larger in size than its price competion and certainly chasing close to the segment competition.
If value for size and specification was my main criterion in this price range, I'd be very close to buying a Rio.
And after my time with it, my Brit colleagues can take a hike. Without me picking them up.
August 2001
by Brian Byrne