The MK4 model Kia Rio now looks an even better alternative to the Corsas and Fiestas of this world, with a more spacious cabin, impressive connectivity and a clever downsized turbo petrol engine option. Prices are keen and the seven-year warranty speaks for itself.

This fourth generation Rio certainly looks more distinctive, the front end characterised by the latest evolution of Kia’s ‘tiger-nose’ grille. Inside, the restyled cabin feels more up-market, helped by gloss black trim that lines the central section of a dashboard now more angled towards the driver. Thanks to 10mm of extra wheelbase, there’s much more space to spread out inside - and more bootspace too, 325-litres of luggage room now on offer, about the same as you get in a Focus, despite the fact that this is a Fiesta-segment model.

Kia is well aware that driving dynamics weren’t a strong selling point of the previous third generation Rio, hence the efforts put in to making this MK4 model more agile and interesting to drive. The stiffer bodyshell should help here and it also allowed the development team to introduce a more compliant suspension system. The previous generation Rio model didn’t advance existing engine technology too much, so it’s good to see that Kia has made a bit more effort on this front this time round. Key to the line-up is the down-sized three cylinder 1.0-litre T-GDI petrol unit we first saw on the facelifted MK2 model cee’d family hatch, offered here - as there - with either 99 or 118bhp power outputs, in both cases accompanied by 172Nm of torque. The lightweight nature of this T-GDI powerplant should benefit the Rio’s front-end handling, with less mass and inertia for the car to work against under cornering. Less sophisticated are the 83bhp 1.25 and 98bhp 1.4-litre MPI petrol units, a comment also applicable to the 1.4-litre diesel engine, which produces 89bhp. All engines apply power to the front wheels. There’s a five-speed manual transmission for the base 1.25-litre petrol unit and the 99bhp 1.0-litre T-GDI powerplant. Otherwise, your Rio will come with a six-speed manual ‘box. There’s a 4-speed auto option on the petrol 1.4.

Overall, if you’re thinking of buying in this segment, then you probably won’t be considering this car as an option. But take it from us, you probably should be.

CAR: Kia Rio range
PRICES: £10,505 - £17,715
INSURANCE GROUP: 1-7
CO2 EMISSIONS: 92-147g/km
PERFORMANCE: [1.25 petrol] 0-62mph 12.5 / top speed 107 mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.0 diesel ISG] (combined) 62.8 mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: six airbags, stability control, ABS brakes
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height mm 4045/1720/1455