Joined
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123 Posts
I have had my car for over three weeks and have completed the initial run in period, so here are my initial thoughts on the latest MY21 facelift version ----------
1) Solid build quality, with just one minor rattle from rear driver side door.Will raise this at 3000 Km first inspection/ service.Paint is good and body panel fits are excellent.
2) Feels like a bigger car on freeways, cruises nicely and not too affected by wind. Generally feels surprisingly stable.
3) Handling is decent with very little body roll. Our Australian version apparently got a specific suspension tuning.Have not pushed too hard yet to test tyre grip.
4) Steering is OK, not fantastic, but reasonably direct.
5) Engine sounds very rough being a 3 cylinder, and it surprises me that road testers fail to mention this more. It actually sounds terrible. It has really good low down torque but I do not believe it makes maximum torque starting at 1500 RPM. it really need more like 2000-2200 RPM to start pulling properly. It will cruise a lower RPM, but find minimum speed for engine to feel comfortable in 5th gear is 70KPH.
6) Power does not continue building at much above 5500 RPM and pointless trying. It seems the detune from original use in Rio to now 99 Hp / 74kW has robbed the engine of its real potential revs range.
7) Gear change is very good, light yet positive. The gearing is generally very tall as result of low down torque charateristic of the turbo motor.
8) Interior finishes are good for the price apart from the heater/AC fan controls, which feel like cheap junk. Steering wheel and indicator stalks etc feel nice for the price. I added some 4 mm thick black felt to the front storage areas on console to isolate things from the hard plastic finish.
9) Seating is comfortable with decent lumbar support. However my wife finds the drivers seat does not lift enough for her being quite small. Perhaps some spacers under seat mounts might be a future project.
10) Noise levels are usually OK, but on really rough road surfaces a significant amount of tyre noise is heard. Wind noise is however low. It will be interesting to hear how JimKia goes with his extra soundproofing of the car floor, but I would like to also silence engine sound a bit also.
11) Infotainment system is nice and clear, and after some connection setting issues with my phone, it now connects with WIFI and Bluetooth, so runs Android Auto without need for cables. Sound quality is OK, but rear speaker volume is rubbish and they can hardly be heard, even after adjustment.
12) Total lack of door storage in rear doors is a bit poor. I was spoiled by our last city run about being a Honda Jazz with storage spaces everywhere, so I do think Kia could improve design a bit in this regard.
13) Fuel consumption is generally good, but on short trips to shops etc when the engine is cold seems to be very thirsty. Once warmed up it is fine.
14) Cosmetic appearance of this new model looks good in my opinion, with the red side stripes and red strips on grill. Unfortunately the fake rear exhaust grill on on rear bumper spoil the overall effect and I like the older version in this regard with twin real exhaust tips.
1) Solid build quality, with just one minor rattle from rear driver side door.Will raise this at 3000 Km first inspection/ service.Paint is good and body panel fits are excellent.
2) Feels like a bigger car on freeways, cruises nicely and not too affected by wind. Generally feels surprisingly stable.
3) Handling is decent with very little body roll. Our Australian version apparently got a specific suspension tuning.Have not pushed too hard yet to test tyre grip.
4) Steering is OK, not fantastic, but reasonably direct.
5) Engine sounds very rough being a 3 cylinder, and it surprises me that road testers fail to mention this more. It actually sounds terrible. It has really good low down torque but I do not believe it makes maximum torque starting at 1500 RPM. it really need more like 2000-2200 RPM to start pulling properly. It will cruise a lower RPM, but find minimum speed for engine to feel comfortable in 5th gear is 70KPH.
6) Power does not continue building at much above 5500 RPM and pointless trying. It seems the detune from original use in Rio to now 99 Hp / 74kW has robbed the engine of its real potential revs range.
7) Gear change is very good, light yet positive. The gearing is generally very tall as result of low down torque charateristic of the turbo motor.
8) Interior finishes are good for the price apart from the heater/AC fan controls, which feel like cheap junk. Steering wheel and indicator stalks etc feel nice for the price. I added some 4 mm thick black felt to the front storage areas on console to isolate things from the hard plastic finish.
9) Seating is comfortable with decent lumbar support. However my wife finds the drivers seat does not lift enough for her being quite small. Perhaps some spacers under seat mounts might be a future project.
10) Noise levels are usually OK, but on really rough road surfaces a significant amount of tyre noise is heard. Wind noise is however low. It will be interesting to hear how JimKia goes with his extra soundproofing of the car floor, but I would like to also silence engine sound a bit also.
11) Infotainment system is nice and clear, and after some connection setting issues with my phone, it now connects with WIFI and Bluetooth, so runs Android Auto without need for cables. Sound quality is OK, but rear speaker volume is rubbish and they can hardly be heard, even after adjustment.
12) Total lack of door storage in rear doors is a bit poor. I was spoiled by our last city run about being a Honda Jazz with storage spaces everywhere, so I do think Kia could improve design a bit in this regard.
13) Fuel consumption is generally good, but on short trips to shops etc when the engine is cold seems to be very thirsty. Once warmed up it is fine.
14) Cosmetic appearance of this new model looks good in my opinion, with the red side stripes and red strips on grill. Unfortunately the fake rear exhaust grill on on rear bumper spoil the overall effect and I like the older version in this regard with twin real exhaust tips.
