An ideal city car at a good price

SecondHandSense:A CAR that is cheap and a car that offers value for money are not necessarily the same thing – ask anyone who invested in an older Fiat Punto. These days you can get a quality second-hand car that's economical and generally pleasing to drive, and the Kia Rio is a good example.

Kia does not have a huge profile and the Rio won’t have impinged on too many buyers’ consciousnesses, but it is a reasonably sized car at a good price that deserves a look. It was first introduced in 2002 and, like a lot of early Korean cars, emphasis was on price, not styling. That changed in 2005 when Kia designers started working out of a German studio and getting to grips with European tastes.

The saloon version has been popular but the hatchback is far smarter, as is generally the case with smaller cars. It has nice, crisp styling, a good interior, space for five and is well equipped. The basic model is a 1.4-litre petrol with 96hp on tap but the better option by far is the 1.5-litre CRDi diesel, which has 110hp and is far more refined than many competitors.

The Rio is an ideal city car, but is also capable of making a long journey in reasonable comfort. Seats are on the soft side, though, and the rear ones don’t fold fully flat. Neither is the boot overly generous for its class. Handling is average but ride is good. The diesel has lots of power at lower revs and does not lag. It is also quiet by small diesel standards. The petrol, by comparison, just about manages.

The interior is well finished and while there is a lot of plastic, there is nothing offensive. It certainly does not look as cheap as the original and overall there is a comfortable ambience.

The Rio achieved a respectable four out of five in the EuroNCAP crash test programme – it missed the fifth because the driver’s side footwell ruptured. It has good reliability and there has only been one recall of significance – in 2004 for a faulty fuel supply pipe on 18,000 cars.

A 2006 diesel with ABS, twin airbags, brake force distribution and 54,000km is at one garage for €7,950. A 2007 petrol saloon with 67,000km is only €6,950. These prices are very keen for asking prices and negotiation for cash should get you a very good price.

STAR RATING: 7/10