Big little car

Big things are about to happen in the small car segment. Unless you have just come out of a six-year coma, or you happen to have stumbled across the lost Yamashita treasure, you cannot have avoided being scalded by the rising fuel costs. And, while major car makers scramble to perfect their alternative fuel solution programs, the only tangible relief in sight still remains in the small car — there is, as they say, no replacement for displacement.

The folks from Kia were obviously pretty sick of watching the big boys from Toyota and Honda cash in big with their Vios/Jazz/City offerings, that they have finally offered up their own worthy contender — the Kia Rio.

Introduced at the Manila International Auto Show last April 6, the Kia Rio is only similar in name to the one it replaces. Although there were two models on display, a hatch back and a sedan, Kia Quezon Avenue has confirmed that only the 1.4 liter, 97 horsepower (ps) sedan will be offered immediately at an introductory price of P530,000.

While there’s nothing confirmed on the hatchback, General Manager for Kia Quezon Avenue, Dong Aberin, has said that it will most likely be introduced with the 112hp (ps) 1.6 liter engine, mated to a 5 speed manual transmission. But the top brass of Columbian Motors, the parent company and authorized distributor of Kia, are still studying it and have yet to decide on the final specs. No price was indicated, but knowing Kia, you can guarantee it will be competitive.

Over the past few years, Kia has been expanding its lineup from low-grade entry-level compacts and subcompacts to become a full-line manufacturer, with a minivan, midsize SUV, and even a semi-luxury sedan, the Amanti, which is not sold locally. Good news is, Kia has applied technology and features used in its more expensive models to the new Rio.

Armed only with a colorful brochure and motor show gossip, it is fairly difficult for me to be certain on the final local specs, but for your P530,000, you can most likely expect a 60/40 split folding rear seat; rear adjustable headrests; a handy luggage net in one of the largest trunks I’ve seen in a small car; air conditioning; power windows and mirrors; automatic transmission plus ventilated front disc brakes with a sizeable 10-inch brake booster, although ABS and airbags seem to remain only as an option.

Although form seems to follow function in the Rio’s chunky proportions, the car is styled in a pleasing manner, with a look that has proved quite popular in Europe and Asia. Rounded in basic shape, angular highlights on the hood, corners, and edges add visual interest, as do large flares around the wheel arches and large, bright headlights. The wheelbase is long for its size, giving the Rio sedan short overhangs, especially in front. And the passenger cabin is large and high, although not taken to extremes. Dark textured plastic strips on the bumpers and sides contrast with most body colors and protect against minor parking lot damage.

There’s also a whole bunch of bright and cheery colors available. The Rio is marketed as a fun car and you can see that in its playful design and innovative interiors.

The last Rio never fared too well, but then again, comparing the two would be like comparing apples to lemons, err, sorry, oranges. Just look at the terribly popular Picanto versus the archaic Pride — there is no comparison. This is a new era for the Korean manufacturer. A coming of age. Even Kia themselves have had to come up with a very bold, but honest advertising campaign that recognized this fact. And I have to say, I admire them for that.

While there was a time when they were the butt of all the automotive jokes, this new breed of Kia vehicles like the Picanto, the Sorento, the Sedona and the new Rio have managed to come up to international standards and can now dice it out with the best of them.