- Willing 1.6-litre petrol engine
- Spacious interior
- Light steering lacks feedback
- Suspension lacks compliance and body control
- Front seats lack lateral support
- Cabin lacks sound insulation
- Brakes lock-up quickly
Review: Kia JB.I Rio (2005-06)
Overview
Released in August 2005, the Kia JB Series I (JB.I) Rio was available as a sedan or five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Gwangmyeong, South Korea, the front-wheel drive Rio was powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that was mated to either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission. The JB.I Rio range consisted of a single, unnamed variant.
G4ED engine
The 1.6-litre G4ED ‘Alpha II’ petrol engine had a cast iron block, an aluminium alloy cylinder head, forged steel connecting rods, coil on plug ignition, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable intake valve timing, graphite-coated pistons and a compression ratio of 10.0:1.
Dimensions
Compared to its DC Rio predecessor, the JB Rio sedan was 25 mm longer (at 4240 mm), 20 mm wider (1695 mm), 30 mm taller (1470 mm) and had a 90 mm longer wheelbase (2500 mm). Relative to the sedan, the JB Rio hatchback was 250 mm shorter (3990 mm), though the other measurements were unchanged.
Suspension
The JB Rio had MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle.
| Body | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr sedan, 5dr hatch |
1.6-litre petrol I4 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
82.4 kW at 6000 rpm | 145 Nm at 4500 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the JB Rio included dual front airbags and front seatbelts with pretensioners and limiters.
Euro NCAP crash testing
In Euro NCAP crash testing , a Kia Rio hatchback – fitted with dual front airbags – received a three star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 23.41. In the frontal offset crash test, protection from serious chest and leg injury was marginal for the driver; in the side impact crash test, chest protection was weak for the driver.
When fitted with dual front airbags, front side airbags and curtain airbags (available on the JB.II Rio), the Rio hatchback received a four star adult occupant protection rating in Euro NCAP testing with a score of 28.5. In the frontal offset crash test, rearward movement of the subframe caused the driver’s side footwell to rupture and protection from serious chest and leg injury was marginal for the driver.
Features: Rio
Standard Rio features included a six speaker sound system with CD player, air conditioning, rear fog lights, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power mirrors and windows, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, tinted windows and an immobiliser.
Review: Kia JB.II Rio (2006-09)
Overview
Released in November 2006, the JB Series II (JB.II) Rio introduced a revised range and 1.4-litre G4EE ‘Alpha’ petrol engines (which had similar properties to their 1.6-litre counterparts). The JB.II Rio range consisted of the entry-level LX, mid-range EX and range-topping Sports or EX-L variants for the hatchback and sedan models respectively.
| Body | Variant | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5dr hatch | LX | 1.4-litre petrol I4 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
70 kW at 6000 rpm | 125 Nm at 4700 rpm |
| EX, Sports |
1.6-litre petrol I4 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
82.4 kW at 6000 rpm | 145 Nm at 4500 rpm | |
| 4dr sedan | EX, EX-L |
1.6-litre petrol I4 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
82.4 kW at 6000 rpm | 145 Nm at 4500 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Rio LX included dual front airbags and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. The Rio EX added ABS and electronic brake force distribution, while the Sports and EX-L variants were further equipped with front side airbags and full length curtain airbags.
Features: Rio LX, EX, EX-L and Sports
Standard features for the Rio LX included a four speaker sound system with CD player, air conditioning, 60/40 split and folding rear seat, remote central locking, rear fog lights, power front windows, tilt adjustable steering wheel, tinted windows and immobiliser. Beyond this, the Rio EX added a six speaker sound system and power windows and mirrors.
Compared to the EX, the Rio EX-L was distinguished by its front fog lights and leather-wrapped steering wheel; the Rio Sports, however, added 16-inch alloy wheels and a rear spoiler.
Review: Kia JB.III Rio (2009-11)
Overview
Released in December 2009, the JB Series III (JB.III) Rio introduced a revised range and a subtle facelift. The JB.III Rio range consisted of the S and Si variants, though a limited run Sports SE was available from March 2010. Visually, the JB.III Rio could be identified by its Schreyer grille; inside, there was a new multi-function steering wheel and red back-lighting for the instruments.
| Body | Variant | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5dr hatch | S, Sports SE |
1.4-litre petrol I4 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
71 kW at 6000 rpm | 125 Nm at 4700 rpm |
| 5dr hatch, 4dr sedan |
Si | 1.6-litre petrol I4 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
82.4 kW at 6000 rpm | 145 Nm at 4500 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the S variant included dual front airbags and front seatbelt pretensioners. The Si was further equipped with ABS, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist.
Features: Rio S and Si
Standard features for the Rio S included a four speaker sound system with CD player, MP3-compatibility and auxiliary inputs (USB/MP3), air conditioning, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, tinted windows, remote central locking and an immobiliser. Beyond this, the Rio Si added a six speaker sound system, rear fog lights, power windows and power mirrors.
2010 Rio Sports SE
In March 2010, a limited run Sports SE variant was released. Compared to the entry-level S, the Rio Sports SE was also fitted with ABS, 15-inch alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system, front fog lights, power windows, power mirrors and a rear spoiler.
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