Western News: April 24, 2018

42
[Edition Tuesday datE] April 24 2018
24
Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
SOUTHERN WESTERN NEWS VIEW
DOWN TO EARTH HATCH
DOES LITTLE WRONG
Price – Kia Rio Limited, $26,990
Dimensions – Length, 4065mm; width, 1725mm; height, 1450mm
Configuration – Four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive, 1368cc, 74kW, 133Nm, six-speed automatic
Performance – 0-100km/h, 11.5sec
Fuel usage – 6.2l/100km
BY ROSS KIDDIE
You know the new car market is undergoing substantial change
when it’s likely New Zealand Police officers will be seen driving
South Korean-built cars.
I’m not saying that is a good or a bad thing, but the reality is
that Kia has supplied some of its very desirable Stinger to law
enforcement. The reason being is that the Stinger is a large,
powerful, rear-wheel-drive sedan which will complement
Holden’s Commodore, so long a part of our police operation.
As we all know, production of the Australian-built Commodore
has ended, the new car to wear that nameplate is sourced
from Europe. It’s fair to say the new Commodore will also be
contracted by the police, but it’s good to see other brands also
fitting into the equation.
From what I’ve heard, the Stinger is a pretty smart piece
of kit in both four-cylinder and V6 form; I’ll have to reserve
judgement on it until I get to drive it, but in the interim, a car
from the bottom end of the Kia stable is the subject of this
evaluation – the Rio.
I first drove the entry-level manual and I related to its easyto-drive
nature, value and quality build. This evaluation focuses
on the range-topping Limited and, as opposed to the manual
variant, the Limited is available only as an automatic, a fourspeeder.
The engine is the same, the 1.4-litre unit is rated at 74kW and
133Nm, both realistic outputs for its displacement. It’s a freerevving
engine which is quiet and responsive, but it does work
hard against the limitation of just four gears, there’s a couple
of points in the engine’s delivery where it takes time to find its
breath, working against the tall gearing.
That’s no surprise, the reason why we have gearboxes with far
more ratios is to alleviate those gaps, but in fairness, the Rio’s
driveline does a fairly good job in most circumstances. It also
has the benefit of healthy fuel usage statistics. Kia also claims
a 6.2-litre per 100km/h (45mpg) combined cycle average for
the automatic Rio, which sits well with the 7.6l/100km (37mpg)
figure constantly showing on the dash panel readout, along
with a 5l/100km (56mpg) instantaneous figure cruising the
100km/h legal limit (engine speed 2500rpm).
Together, all of these figures combine to produce reasonable
performance and great economy. In terms of acceleration,
the Rio automatic will cut out a standstill to 100km/h time of
11.2sec and will complete an overtaking manoeuvre (80km/h-
100km/h) in 7sec.
The Rio cruises the highway quietly and has a smooth,
comfortable ride. The spring and damper rates are set quite
soft and that can be felt in a corner, there is noticeable body
movement. More so in the rear where the limitations of a tube
beam axle are apparent, there is little rear-wheel freedom.
Up front it’s a different story, the steering is pin-sharp and
has perfect feel, there is a lot of feedback through high-quality
Continental tyres (205/45 x 17in). Their profile leans towards a
sporty feel and that is something I particularly like.
The Rio in this form also gets a sequential shifting device at the
main gearshift lever, it’s useful for downshifting when entering
a corner and for the odd time when a shift away from the
normal shifting pattern is required.
At $26,990 the Rio range-topper is reasonable value, it gets
a fair hunk of the kit as you’d expect from a car that wears
a Limited badge. Sadly, the leather-trimmed seats don’t get
heaters, which is most uninviting on a cold Christchurch
morning, but there are other inclusions that add to the value
aspect such as satellite navigation that appears through a
large central screen, it is also home to the infotainment and
communication systems.
Personally, I’d be opting for the entry-level Rio, it’s available in
both manual or automatic forms. It doesn’t miss out on much,
and in manual form the six gears allow the engine to work
more akin to its power outputs. At $22,490 and $23,490 the
LX also represents an easy passage into the brand. Take into
account there’s also an EX model at $25,490.
What Kia has served to prove in recent years is that it is a
progressive company not short on introducing interesting and
popular models throughout its global markets, all landing with
a relatively realistic pricing structure.
While I’m looking forward to a drive in the Stinger soon, it
must be remembered that it’s bread and butter cars such as
the Rio which steady the brand here, it’s a desirable, downto-earth
hatchback that does little wrong and pleases with its
styling and ability to put the driver at ease.
No ‘lemons’ sold
at Peach Cars
$7,970
$6,470
$7,970
At Peach Cars our aim is to import safe and reliable vehicles from Japan for
our customers. We prefer a Peach rather than a Lemon and we focus on
balancing the price and grade when we select cars at Japanese auctions.
2008 Volkswagen Golf
$5,970
2004 Subaru Legacy
$6,470
2006 Subaru Impreza
$6,970
We always try to provide affordable cars for our customers – our prices
might not be the lowest in the market, as we won’t select the cheapest cars
at the sacrifice of their condition.
We don’t only sell cars, we also provide good after-sales service.
✓
We offer:
✓
Our vehicles are:
2007 Toyota Vitz
$10,970
2005 Suzuki Swift
$4,970
2012 Mazda Demio
$8,970
• On-site finance facility
• Mechanical breakdown insurance
• Aftermarket stereo upgrade
• Towbar fitting
✓
Services:
• Directly imported from Japan
• Vinz/VTNZ certified
• Odometer verified
• Professionally serviced
• Carry dealer mechanical warranty
2006 Volkswagen Golf GTI
$7,970
2006 Toyota Vitz
$4,970
2006 BMW 320i Touring
$5,470
• Portecta Extended Warranties
• Nationwide delivery
• Towbars available
• Mag wheels available
• Aftermarket stereos available
• After sales servicing arranged
2005 Toyota Caldina
2005 Toyota BB
2005 Nissan Tiida 18G
Visit our website www.peachcars.co.nz to see our full stock
Phone: 03 341 8618 • 57 Sonter Road, Wigram, Christchurch • www.peachcars.co.nz