Anyone looking for dependable transport on a tight budget should pay particular attention to the Kia Rio. Not only is it one of the more spacious superminis currently on the market, it's also very competitively priced against more mainstream rivals, especially considering generous standard equipment and the reassurance of Kia's bombproof warranty.
The handsome design isn't particularly original, but it's pleasing enough and gives the Rio the sort of visual identity that its lacklustre predecessor so conspicuously lacked. The cabin is even more impressive, with some expensive-feeling mouldings and a good level of ergonomic thought having gone into the design. Front seat passengers enjoy decent space, while there's a class-competitive level of room in the back too. It's just a shame that Kia hasn't paid to create a unique stereo - the Rio has to make do with a tinny and hard-to-operate old-fashioned unit.
Dynamic performance is staid and conservative thanks to dull steering and limited front-end grip. This isn't the sort of car that you'd ever choose to go particularly quickly in, but the flip-side is a decently comfortable ride and relatively relaxed cruising at motorway speeds. Two engines are available, although the closeness in price between the 1.4 litre petrol and 1.5 litre diesel motors makes opting for the more powerful and vastly more economical diesel something of a no-brainer.