Parallel test: Chevrolet Aveo 1.3D (70 kW) LTZ and KIA Rio 1.1 CRDi Urban (5 doors)

Sometimes there were no special problems among the Slovenes. If you were looking for a car, you have chosen the Clio. It has become almost synonymous with a car, like calodont toothpaste or running shoes. At the time, we were still laughing at Asians looking closely at European models in car dealerships, but now we queue up in front of their showrooms. They hired European designers (until recently KIA also Slovenian Robert Leshnik), improved the quality to the point that they offered extremely favorable terms of the guarantee, and flooded the sales market with amazing discounts.

This time, the "test subjects" have a common homeland, except that one of them wears an American badge due to property ties. At first glance, you can see that the design does not suit the same tastes. Chevrolet certainly looks a little more aggressive, while Kia is aimed at a more relaxed clientele. From the outside, you can see that the Kia offers a bit more width and the Chevrolet breathes over the heads of the passengers.

A little more dynamism can be seen in Chevrolet. Already, analog-to-digital meters are working quite aggressively. These harsh impacts are also transmitted to the steering wheel, which in some places has reduced traction. In both cars, the steering wheel is multifunctional, which simplifies the work with the radio tape recorder and the on-board computer.

It sits better in the Kia, which also gives a more spacious feel. The seats in both aren't top notch, but those in the Kia still have a little more lateral grip. Of course, a place on the back bench is not a luxury, but you should not be afraid that someone will experience a bout of claustrophobia. However, due to the rather flat back, the child seat in the Chevrolet was difficult for me to install. Both cars "ate" some of the luggage on the weekend for the sea, despite the skepticism of my better half, since at first glance the luggage opening is not spatially impressive. It helps if you played with Lego blocks as a child.

Both machines have ample space for small items. Both have a drawer in front of the gear lever that holds the entire contents of the pocket. The Rio has USB and AUX inputs right at your fingertips and two 12-volt outlets. The Ave also has a handy smaller bin above the passenger compartment where you can store trash that would otherwise roll down the lower bin.

With all of today's electronic solutions, we were naturally concerned that Kia did not have a system to move windows from one end position to another at the touch of a button. In Ave, however, we can only do this if we want to open the driver window. The test Kia also lacked auto-dimming headlights and daytime running lights. In Ave, however, you can just leave the lights on and it will turn on or off at a given contact (but we know this is bad for lamp life).

It is clear that the first choice of buyers of this class of cars will be a gasoline engine, although the difference in price between engines today is not so great and turbodiesels in these kids are becoming more and more. While Kia was powered by the weakest 55 kW diesel engine, the Avea was powered by a slightly more powerful 70 kW turbodiesel. It is clear that such engines meet the basic needs that we expect from a car.

So the most that can be expected is that a well-loaded car will catch up with the slope of Vrhnika. Both engines are paired with a six-speed manual transmission that takes care of them when they need to make up for the lack of power. Despite the fact that Rio sported an advertising sign about a consumption of 3,2 liters per 100 km, the editors jokingly called me a touching liar. Of course, this consumption can only be achieved if we make an effort and intend to achieve a minimum consumption on the open road.

But everyday obstacles on the road and the requirements for normal traffic in the traffic flow lead us to consumption, which in both cars was about five liters per 100 kilometers.

Yes, times are different (as are the Asians who have grasped our time zone), and people are already getting used to the increasing competition in the market, which brings improvements and lower prices in the struggle for the buyer. However, those who do not make it in time fall like ripe pears. Given the trend, maybe one day the Europeans will follow the Asian market and make cars to their liking, and not vice versa? Can you imagine a French engineer taking a close look at cars at the Beijing Auto Show?

Text: Sasa Kapetanovic

Chevrolet Aveo 1.3D (70 kW) LTZ

Basic data

Technical information

engine:	4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - turbodiesel - displacement 1.248 cm3 - maximum power 70 kW (95 hp) at 4.000 rpm - maximum torque 210 Nm at 1.750 rpm.
Energy transfer:	front wheel drive engine - 6-speed manual transmission - tires 205/55 R 16 W (Michelin Energy Saver).
Capacity:	174 km/h top speed - 0-100 km/h acceleration in 12,6 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 4,8/3,6/4,1 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 108 g/km.
Mass:	empty vehicle 1.185 kg - permissible gross weight 1.675 kg.
External dimensions:	length 4.039 mm – width 1.735 mm – height 1.517 mm – wheelbase 2.525 mm – trunk 290–653 46 l – fuel tank XNUMX l.

Our measurements

T = 25 ° C / p = 1.150 mbar / rel. vl. = 33% / odometer status: 2.157 km
Acceleration 0-100km:	12,8s
402m from the city:	17,8 years ( 121 km / h)
Flexibility 50-90km / h:	10,1 / 15,5s (IV/V)
Flexibility 80-120km / h:	14,1 / 17,2s (Sun./Fri.)
Maximum speed:	174km / h (WE.)
test consumption:	5,0 l / 100km
Braking distance at 100 km / h:	40,1m
AM table:	42m

Kia Rio 1.1 CRDi Urban (5 doors)

Basic data

Technical information

engine:	4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - turbodiesel - displacement 1.120 cm3 - maximum power 55 kW (75 hp) at 4.000 rpm - maximum torque 170 Nm at 1.500-2.750 rpm.
Energy transfer:	front wheel drive engine - 6-speed manual transmission - tires 185/65 R 15 H (Hankook Kinergy Eco).
Capacity:	160 km/h top speed - 0-100 km/h acceleration in 16,0 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 3,9/3,3/3,6 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 94 g/km.
Mass:	empty vehicle 1.155 kg - permissible gross weight 1.640 kg.
External dimensions:	length 4.045 mm – width 1.720 mm – height 1.455 mm – wheelbase 2.570 mm – trunk 288–923 43 l – fuel tank XNUMX l.

Our measurements

T = 25 ° C / p = 1.290 mbar / rel. vl. = 32% / odometer status: 3.550 km
Acceleration 0-100km:	14,8s
402m from the city:	19,5 years ( 112 km / h)
Flexibility 50-90km / h:	10,5 / 17,7s (IV/V)
Flexibility 80-120km / h:	16,6 / 19,4s (Sun./Fri.)
Maximum speed:	160km / h (WE.)
test consumption:	4,9 l / 100km
Braking distance at 100 km / h:	41,3m
AM table:	42m

evaluation

• Judging by the shape, the Aveo is slightly more resilient and dynamic compared to the Kia. In terms of usability, it lags a little behind.

We praise and reproach

headroom

interesting, dynamic interior

six-speed gearbox

strong edges on the steering wheel

vertical backrest

it has no daytime running lights

side grip front seats

evaluation

• Capacity is the main advantage over competitors. The materials are of sufficient quality, the engine is economical, the design is mature.

We praise and reproach

open space

price

USB port and two 12 volt sockets

six-speed gearbox

bad equipment

opening and closing the panel

it has no daytime running lights