Impromptu Face-off: Kia Rio versus Toyota Vios

[niky]

hello. i've been following this thread for quite sometime now. i registered to tell you guys that i just bought a Kia Rio thanks to this thread. my Rio is 1.4 M/T soft green sedan.

Congrats! Welcome to tsikot!

[redorange]

I don't put much stock on that C&D comparison test. Their test methodology is flawed. Why? In that test, they used the Yaris S sedan while they used the Rio hatch. Of course, a sedan would have a different driving dynamics than a hatch because of its size, weight, etc. Not to mention that the Yaris sedan is a totally different car than the Yaris hatch. Did you notice that the only other sedan in the group also did not fare well? How about the bigger cars, the Suzuki Reno (aka Daewoo Lacetti/Holden Viva/Chevrolet Optra) and the Dodge Caliber. Why do you think it is on the bottom of the list? Why would you compare the driving dynamics of a compact-class car against a sub-compact class car?

"Why did they not use a Yaris hatch in the test since it is also available in the US?" you might ask. Because Toyota America, in their infinite wisdom, only sells the 3-door Yaris hatch and not the 5-door Yaris hatch that is available in their NA neighbour, Canada. Then a better question would be: "Why didn't they use the Rio sedan in the test instead?" NFC, mate.

So what methodology did C&D use? Simple, they round up all the cars that can be bought for no more than US$15,000 and tested them, regardless of whether or not they belong to the same class, category, etc. This is stupid because its like comparing a AU$40,000 BMW 1-Series against a similarly-priced Toyota Tarago (Previa) and say the Toyota sucks because it can't go 0-100kph in under 10 secs.

So there you go, flawed methodology = dubious results.

Here's a better comparison test:

What's big in small cars

...done in Australia. These are:

Ford Fiesta
Honda Jazz
Hyundai Getz
Kia Rio
Mazda 2
Mitsubishi Colt
Proton Savvy
Suzuki Swift
Toyota Yaris
Volkswagen Polo

Note that all these cars are in the light (sub-compact) category and are all hatch back petrol versions (sedan versions Kia Rio and Toyota Yaris was not used). Though I think I've seen a different comparo of all the sedans in the light car category (Kia Rio, Toyota Yaris and Holden Barina aka. Daewoo Kalos, Chevrolet Aveo). Prices of the above cars range from the AU$13,990 Proton Savvy to the AU$16,990 Volkswagen Polo.

The Car and Driver test was based on the pricing of the vehicle and not the size as most people who buy entry level cars base their decision on price. If you sell a sub-compact car at the $15K price range you are competing with all the cars available in that market not just the sub-compacts and that's why they included compacts also. Don't know about you but if I was in the market for a $15K car I would look at all of them not just one particular segment so I could get better bang for the buck. As for your example that is even more crazy because one is a car and the other a van both have completely different markets. At the very least CD had enough sense to know that cars and vans can't be compared and were comparing cars in the entry level market regardless of size.

[sp@rk]

hello. i've been following this thread for quite sometime now. i registered to tell you guys that i just bought a Kia Rio thanks to this thread. my Rio is 1.4 M/T soft green sedan.

sir, how's the fuel consumption of the rio? what made you decide to buy it? my family is planning to buy a compact car (550k budget).. can't decide if we'll take a vios or a city.. thanks for this thread we now have a 3rd option.. hope you could share some insights..

guys, do you know any issues with the automatic transmission of kia's? the price of kia rio a/t is at 599k (from their website).. do you think its a good deal?

[niky]

No known problems with the new transmission yet, but it's pretty sluggish, which might cause higher fuel consumption. I think the sedan version with the MT is better value for your money.

[gridlock]

sir, how's the fuel consumption of the rio? what made you decide to buy it? my family is planning to buy a compact car (550k budget).. can't decide if we'll take a vios or a city.. thanks for this thread we now have a 3rd option.. hope you could share some insights..

guys, do you know any issues with the automatic transmission of kia's? the price of kia rio a/t is at 599k (from their website).. do you think its a good deal?

I picked the rio because it's a good value for money and a car that can easily be recognized among the rows of cars in the parking lot. I''ll post next time what's the FC. Meanwhile, the following links should give you an idea. http://www.doe.gov.ph/FUEL%20ECONOMY...6%20RESULT.pdf http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/overall-high.htm

[bishonen]

Guys im new here din! nag register ako para makisama sa usapan nyo. ask ko lang kasi we are planning to buy vios. pero nakita ko ung mga posts nyo so now we are having a secnd tot. question ko lang kung ok naman ba ang durability ng rio? no offense sa iba pero alam naman natin ang kia compared to other japanese cars. and have you seen the vios type S? parang 1.5G sya pero may added skirts, chromes and ibang designs that gives the S a sporty look. pero parang 707k yata ung price nia.. =peace=

*He died for you, why not live for Him*

[niky]

707k lang ba? I was under the impression that it would cost more.

The S is actually very handsome. We saw this at the World of Toyota last year, and I was impressed by the body kit and mags, and I actually like the interior colors.

----

Kung durability ang pinapag-usapan, honestly, nobody knows. Although maraming satisfied Kia Picanto owners na malayo na ang nararating (naks), it isn't the same car as the Kia Rio.

Pero, for the price, okay naman siya. The old Kia Rio was not really bad durability wise, but was outclassed by its competitors in terms of refinement. Yung bagong Rio, mukhang sa plastic quality nalang sablay.

[basti08]

who can post pics of the Vios Type S (?) or 1.5S?

i thought Toyota made a false print advertisement one time when i saw that they're giving discounts on purchase of Vios J E S... di pala.

[bishonen]

yep! 707k for manual and 760k something for matic..

naghahanap din ako ng pic sa net pero la ko makita..nagpunta kc kami sa toyota sa pasig, dun ko nakita..maganda sya talaga, both interior and exterior..medjo mahal nga lang talaga..pero if bibili ka ng 1.5G matic, i think ung S typ na lang kc parang 20k lang ang pagitan..

*He died for you, why not live for Him*

[OTEP]

no offense sa iba pero alam naman natin ang kia compared to other japanese cars

Ano ang dapat malaman? Been driving different Kias for the past 10 years. May secret ba? Na-outlast na nga ng mga Kia at Ssangyong ang mga Toyota namin.

The Vios Type S is an ok car. Not much character and personality but will get the job done. Yun nga lang, masyadong mahal na para sa akin. I guess mahal yung badge. hehehe. Not to mention the "GREAT" after sales service Toyota gives.

[uwak18]

Vios "S" really looked good. Exterior/Interior. But for 707K I'll get the Jazz instead. KIA then is different from KIA models of today. What's not different is Columbia Motors and the dealers. I've bean to Kia Q.A. (FEMAC), E.Rod (Wheels), Signet Mandaluyong, Pasay. All have good sides and bad sides. Bakit diba sa Toyota may rants din sa Service like sa OTIS? But getting Vios, Jazz or other cars that you often see in the streets parang minsan nakakasawa. (No offense mga bros. ). But When you see a Rio sa street mapapatingin ka kasi sobrang minsan lang makikita. Very good looks IMO. Pero yun nga lang kulang kulang. No this and that. But in the end the choice is really your's.

[freespin]

[freespin]

altis pala yan... cge lng, magkamukha naman cla sa vios eh!

[RVRSSG2.0]

mas gus2 ko ung vios kc hndi lng naman design ung basehan eh. quality din, eh toyotas are built tough as nails but dirt cheap to maintain. kaya for me, toyota is the winner

[taichi]

hello to all of u!taichi here, a newbie. tanong ko lang mga bossing - is the vios equipped with catalytic converter?

[OTEP]

May Rio A/T sedan na. Asking is Php640k according to Kia.

[aargh]

hello to all of u!taichi here, a newbie. tanong ko lang mga bossing - is the vios equipped with catalytic converter?

Yes. may catalytic converter na to. It also has vvti which really helps in gas consumption. I like the looks of the Vios, masyadong common nga lang. I dunno about the Rio.

[Naej]

any reviews on the 2007 kia rio LX?

[OTEP]

The 2007 Rio is basically unchanged from last year's model. Aside from the availability of an a/t option.

[Naej]

The 2007 Rio is basically unchanged from last year's model. Aside from the availability of an a/t option.

thank you for the reply