Overall rating:

Recently revealed at the Geneva Motor Show, the new Kia Rio represents a seismic shift over the current model. The styling has changed dramatically (much for the better, we reckon) and the engines are exceptionally clean. We drove a pre-production model at Kia's Namyang R&D centre on the outskirts of Seoul.

Key Facts

Pricing: from £10,000 (estimate)
Engine: 1.1-litre three-cylinder turbodiesel, 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel, 1.2- and 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol
Transmission: five/six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: three/five-door hatchback
Rivals: Ford Fiesta, Citroen DS3, Hyundai i20
CO₂ emissions: 85 - 124g/km
Combined economy: 58.8 - 88.3mpg
Top speed: 85 - 112mph
0-62mph: 11.5 - 16.4 seconds
Power: 69bhp at 4,000rpm (1.1 diesel) 108bhp at 6,000rpm (1.4 petrol)
Torque: 120lb.ft at 1,750rpm (1.1 diesel) 100lb.ft at 4,200rpm (1.4 petrol)

In the Metal:

The outgoing Kia Rio and the new model couldn't be more different. The existing car's innocuous looks have been wiped out in favour of a bold, shapely nose, a wide rump and concave flanks. Granted, the pre-production test car you see in the pictures doesn't give much of that away, but the Geneva show car fills in the gaps.

The interior is also more vibrant, courtesy of a bright, pale dashboard and central toggle switches. We were most impressed by the amount of space for rear seat passengers, which seemed sufficient enough to give larger, C-segment family hatchbacks a run for their money. Kia has made big efforts to carve out extra space in every direction (the 70mm longer wheelbase and 25mm wider body shell help) and the boot is now a near class-topping 288 litres.

Quality seemed reasonable but the test car wasn't complete inside and it was a Korean-spec model, so we'll reserve full judgement for when we drive the new Rio on European roads later this year.

Driving it:

We only sampled the new Rio with the 1.1-litre three-cylinder turbodiesel engine, though that's no bad thing. Kia is hoping that the car will appeal to the under thirties and with such low running costs the diminutive diesel is likely to be a big draw for younger buyers.

With this engine, the Rio is not quick - it takes 16.4 seconds to hit 62mph - so it requires some winding up. Once it has passed 2,000rpm, the torque kicks in and the performance is comparable to that of a small four-cylinder turbodiesel. A typical diesel clattering sound is evident, but it's not overly intrusive and easier on the ear than the rival Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion's loud chatter.

The ride is pliant and the brakes suitably positive. The Rio's five-speed gearbox and steering system are both smooth and direct, but neither is particularly engaging. Overall the Kia seems a composed small car, so let's hope the finished product remains the same.

What you get for your Money:

Prices and European spec levels have yet to be confirmed but you can bet that the Rio will be top value. It was hinted that the Rio will start at around £10,000 when it goes on sale later this year. If that's the case, then it will cost a significant £1,500 more than the existing Rio, but it's worth remembering that every version is cheap to run and the new car is much more advanced.

Options will include big-car features like heated front seats, cruise control, a smart key with an engine start/stop button and a heated steering wheel to name but a few.

Worth Noting

Green features consist of Kia's Independent Stop and Go (ISG) stop-start system along with low rolling resistance tyres and an upgraded starter motor and alternator to improve economy and emissions. These will be available as a package for all Rios.

Summary

It's a fine effort by Kia. The new Rio looks good and has leapt upmarket, but the running costs and the estimated prices are still firmly within the Korean firm's budget ethos. As long as that ballpark £10k figure doesn't creep up, the Fiesta and the Polo could have a real problem on their hands.