Kia Rio X (Kia Rio X) 2021/2022 G4LC 1.4 MPI 100 HP and G4FG 1.6 MPI 123 HP
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What’s new
The package of current improvements does not apply to technology. The power units, consisting of all possible combinations of 1.4 and 1.6 engines with six-speed manual and automatic boxes, remained the same. AI-92 gasoline is allowed without restrictions, and the main weak point – the catalytic converter that crumbles and kills the engine, as promised, has been finalized. We will watch.
Engines are supplied from China, machines from Korea. The only change under the hood: the washer reservoir was increased to 5.3 liters.Engines are supplied from China, machines from Korea. The only change under the hood: the washer reservoir was increased to 5.3 liters. Related materials 
In the absence of changes in the chassis, the clearance was also preserved. True, official data refer to factory cars, devoid of even the mud protection of the engine compartment. On the test Rio X there was a non-standard metal shield – but we also measured 180 mm from it to the ground. Not bad!
Designers made the radiator grille and both bumpers more aggressive and not similar to a sedan. But more importantly, the silver insert in the front bumper no longer “goes” down, and you will not scratch it on the curb or stones in the rut.
The headlights with “flowing” daytime running lights can be LED – only in the top Premium version. It’s not worth regretting their inaccessibility in popular trim levels: the near LED light is uneven and weak, and the far one doesn’t hit far. I liked only the cornering lights with individual LEDs.
All new items, including front parking sensors, remote start, a USB socket for rear passengers, power lumbar support, copy similar configurations of the sedan. And all of the above is available only in the same Premium version for 1,240,000 rubles! The inflexibility of fixed configurations is unpleasantly surprising.
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Safety
Despite the fact that the Korean cross-hatch belongs to the segment of inexpensive cars, the manufacturer paid quite serious attention to the level of its safety. So, the developer equipped the budget model with a set of front and side airbags, seat belts, and an ISOFIX child seat attachment. All this allows you to count on mitigating the consequences that an accident can cause.
In addition, the car is equipped with several safety assistants that help prevent accidents and help the driver in difficult road conditions. The updated cross-hatch did not take part in crash tests, but the first generation of the car was tested under the EuroNCAP methodology and managed to get 3 stars for safety from standard equipment, as well as a maximum for the work of built-in assistants.
Advantages and disadvantages
The new KIA Rio X 2022 turned out really good. It has a lot of positive characteristics, but still it is not without some disadvantages. The advantages of the “Korean” include:
- affordable cost;
- the choice of technical capabilities and configurations;
- decent off-road performance;
- inexpensive service;
- acceptable level of security.
The list of shortcomings of the car includes:
- the car has decent performance in the most expensive modifications;
- not the most spacious interior;
- the absence of a turbo engine in the list of available power units.
Complete set
In terms of optional equipment, the changes in the updated model were more significant than in the interior trim, in particular, the Europa League special series disappeared, it was replaced by the Style package, and instead of 10, 9 modifications are now available.
Also, there is no longer a version of Prestige AV, Prestige is offered instead, and all prices have changed (they have become somewhat higher).
In the first half of 2021, you can buy Kia Rio X at a recommended price of 999.9 thousand rubles. (almost 1 million), before restyling, the minimum cost of the car was 879,900 rubles.
At the moment, the Korean cross-hatch of the St. Petersburg assembly is offered in the following trim levels:
- Comfort (“Comfort”, basic).
- Lux (“Luxury”).
- Style (“Style”).
- Prestige (“Prestige”).
- Premium (“Premium”).
In any of the modifications, the car is equipped with a steering column adjustable for reach/height, electric power steering, a 60 Ah battery, and soundproofing of the hood.
A curtain is provided in the trunk, the bottom and body of the car are treated with an anti-corrosion coating from the factory.
In the Russian version, Rio X has an increased ground clearance of 195 mm, the second-row seatbacks fold separately (60/40), but there is no rear armrest in any of the modifications.
The machine is equipped with a 90 Amp generator, a 0.9-kilowatt starter.
Lux equipment
The next in terms of equipment level, the “Lux” equipment is available in two versions – 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT, respectively at a price of 1,059,000 and 1,099,000 rubles.
In the Luxe version, in addition to the existing standard options, heated washer / windshield nozzles, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth are added.
Instead of air conditioning, single-zone climate control is used here, the spare wheel is a full-size wheel on an R15 steel rim.
style
An even more charged version of “Style” with a recommended price of 1,204,000 rubles. is available only with a 1.6-liter engine and AT, gets LED DRL / taillights, lensed halogen headlights, rear disc brakes (drums are installed on the rear axle in all the “younger” trim levels).
To everything else, equipment is added here:
- light sensor;
- front foglights;
- Rear View Camera.
The Rio X Style hatchback in the interior is distinguished by the presence of salon elements in gloss black, red molding on the dashboard, fabric seat upholstery with an original pattern and red stitching, which is also available on the steering wheel.
Features of this configuration in the exterior: cast darkened wheels R15, red accents on the roof rails and a glossy black grille, in the same color there is a frame for the fog lamp niches.
Instead of the basic audio system, the car is equipped with multimedia with an 8-inch screen, AndroidAuto / Apple Carplay support appears.
But what is noteworthy, in this version there are no rear parking sensors, heated windshield and windshield washer nozzles, although they become available again in all higher trim levels.
Prestige
You can become the owner of Kia Rio X “Prestige” from 1 million 294.9 thousand rubles, the car is also available in the only modification 1.6 AT.
There are no such red accents as in Style, but glossy black elements in the cabin are retained, alloy wheels are decorated in their own style.
To the above equipment, the car receives options:
- the function of automatic folding electric mirrors;
- heated rear seats;
- front center armrest with box for small items, it is trimmed with artificial leather;
- airbags: side front and curtain;
- Cruise control;
- USB port for the second row of seats;
- ceiling eyeglass.
The multimedia system in the Prestige configuration is no longer endowed with four, but with six speakers, and another headrest (in the center) is added on the back sofa. The interior/exterior door handles get a chrome finish, the fabric upholstery of the seats is original, distinguished by its pattern, turn signal indicators are built into the side mirrors.
What is not here is LED rear lights, halogen optics are installed.
Premium package
The flagship Premium package is again available only with a 1.6L engine and automatic transmission-6, estimated at 1 million 294.9 thousand rubles.
It has the maximum set of options, and here the buyer of the car gets LED optics “in a circle”.
In addition, there are cornering lights, a shark fin antenna, alloy wheels – a different diameter R16 with 195/60 tires.
The list of equipment is supplemented:
- navigation system;
- front parking sensors;
- electric lumbar support on the driver’s seat
- keyless access;
- engine start button instead of a key, the engine can also be started using a remote control.
In the Premium version, the seat upholstery is made of artificial leather (eco-leather) with gray stitching, the standard instrument cluster is replaced by a SuperVision panel with a 4.2 ”display and white-blue backlight.
Specifications
The visual increase in external dimensions is realized due to volumetric hinges. In general, formatted in L-W-H ratios (4275 x 1750 and 1510 mm), the dimensions are copied from the hatch without noticeable changes.
The running gear with a nominal base for a cross-hatch of 2600 mm received an increased clearance to 195 mm, improved characteristics of stabilizers and a combined strut-torsion bar suspension. The front brakes are ventilated disc brakes, the rear ones are shoe brakes. The test drive confirmed the effectiveness of running electronics and active safety systems.
- Starting, speed and other performance characteristics of the Kia Rio X 2021 petrol engine with an output of 1.4 liters and 100 hp implements the attached 6-speed manual.
- As a top-end alternative, a 1.6-liter engine is promised, developing power up to 123 hp. in effective tandem with a 6-band automatic.
“Memory of warm options”
For the hundredth time, we will not describe the landing in Rio. The seats here are not the worst in the class, but still the car is not suitable for long-distance travel with comfort – the pillow is a bit short. There is less space in the back than the Rapid, but acceptable for the B-class. The overall length, which is large by the standards of the segment, made it possible to leave the Rio X with a spacious luggage compartment. With the rear seats raised, the cargo compartment capacity is 390 liters, and when folded down it reaches 1075 liters. The possibility of folding the backs in the proportion of 60/40 is already provided in the basic configuration of the model.
Separately, I would like to note that for Rio X it is possible to remotely start the engine using a button on the key. The function works at a distance of 30-50 meters. The remotely started engine remains running for 10 minutes, which is enough to warm up the interior. The car has a so-called memory of warm options, when the climate control and those heating functions that were activated at the time of stop are automatically turned on when the remote start is started.
crossover vs hatch
By the will of fate, the cross-hatch settled in the Motor1 editorial garage almost simultaneously with facelifted Hyundai Creta (also in the top configuration). It was difficult to refrain from comparing if not direct analogues, but models that one way or another will have to push on the bandwagon of one market car.
The observations are interesting. If you do not take into account the subjective parameter “who looks more like an SUV”, then Crete has only one weighty argument – all-wheel drive. Still partly convenient for the city is the high “commanding” landing of the driver, although the cross-hatch is not bad with this against the background of the Rio sedan. Also, Kia is much quieter on the go, more comfortable in the cabin, better equipped, more pleasant to ride (even despite the less powerful 1.6 engine versus two liters). And at the same time, the flagship Rio X is 250 thousand cheaper than the most expensive version of Hyundai.
When installing dealer power protection of the engine compartment, the clearance is reduced from the declared 195 mm by about a centimeter. But for broken roads and snow-covered yards, the geometry of the Rio X is more than enough. If something happens, it is more convenient to pull the car back – from the side of the towing eye welded to the body. The front loop must be screwed into the bumper.
I tend to believe that with all the controversial points, the cross-hatch is still seen as a well-balanced version of the conditional “car for a million” for Russia. Fashionable in the city, capable in the provinces, easy to maintain. That’s just the principle of fixed configurations, to which the Koreans so stubbornly remain faithful, Rio X does not add points. After all, no matter how persistently the five-door does not distance itself from the “people’s” sedan, you don’t want to overpay for the equipment imposed on the load in the initial price niche.
