The original Kia Rio was a less-than-inspiring car with a weird shape so, early in its development, few people expected too much from the second-generation model - but then the car appeared in the metal!
That was until the motoring journalists started driving the new car and such was their reaction that by October it had been nominated as one of the Car of the Year candidates.
I hadn't driven one so was very surprised. A Kia as Car of the Year? You can't possibly be serious...?
Well, now I've driven it; the Coty jury got it absolutely right - the latest Kia Rio is indeed a worthy candidate for the competition.
The Koreans have turned an ugly duckling into a very nice small car.
Gone are the mis-shapen, bulbous lines of the first model and in their place is a neat, five-door hatchback with clean lines, a pleasing shape and an almost European look. More important though, it drives like a dream.
The engine is a quad-valve, twin-cam, 1.4-litre, four-cylinder developing 70kW at 6000rpm and 124Nm at 4600rpm. It's the sweetest of engines, free revving, smooth and with a reasonable amount of torque, even at low revs.
With its slick five-speed manual gearbox, light clutch and strong brakes you have a car that's a pleasure to drive. The ease of use would make it ideal for the beginner and it would be perfect for a driving-school car.
This Rio wasn't designed as a hot hatch but its performance is adequate, even up here on the Reef where 60km/h comes up in 6.3sec, 100km/h in 14.6 and top speed is around 177km/h.
The car costs R119 995 - more than its predecessor but still very competitive. Chev's 1.4 Aveo weighs in at R12 000, Toyota's RunX 1.4 hatch R137 900.
The cabin is a revelation and where the progress made by Kia's designers really makes itself felt. It has a spacious feel and there's plenty of space for front seat occupants.
The Rio claims to have the longest wheelbase in its segment and the designers have exploited the advantages spacewise.
There's plenty of head and leg room even for drivers and, inside, the Rio certainly doesn't feel like a small car. Unlike many small hatchbacks, it's a genuine four-seater with comfortable, spacious rear seats, even if legroom there is a little limited.
The interior finishes are top class; none of the cheap 'n nasty plastic and fake wood that used to spoil so many Korean cars. The upholstery is of a neat cloth-like material that should be easy to wipe clean.
Nice little touches
The Koreans have specced the car with a long list of luxuries: air-conditioning, power-assisted steering, a radio/CD player, remote-controlled central locking and power windows and mirrors.
There are other nice little touches: eyewear holder in an overhead console, vanity mirrors for driver and front passenger, heatable rear window, foglights front and rear, a cigarette lighter and a separate power point in the centre console.
Safety features include two front crash bags and all-disc brakes with ABS and electronic pressure distribution.
The rear seat back splits 60/40 and, with the seats in place, the boot can take 448 litres. That grows to an impressive 1405 litres with them folded.
This Rio is very manoeuvrable and its power-assisted steering makes parking a doddle. Only when you really hammer the car do some shortcomings appear.
Little raucous
The engine becomes a little raucous and the chassis feels a little "floaty" at high speed. I also felt the steering was a little too light at high speed, making it difficult to hold a steady line around long, fast curves.
But then nobody is going to drive this car at its limit. It's a city commuter and as such it does a fine job.
Summary
I don't expect the Rio to take the Coty title but it says volumes for Kia's progress that the car made the shortlist, given the huge number of new models that arrived in SA in 2005.
Equally, I wouldn't be too surprised if it did win...
It's a nicely made car with a willing engine that's easy nd fun to drive and easy to park. And it comes with a very attractive specification list at a very competitive price.
There was a time when people bought Korean cars purely because of their cut-rate price. That isn't true any more.
The Korean engineers and designers are now a match for their European and Japanese rivals and the Rio is proof. It's a fine car that deserves its moment in the spotlight as the Coty jurors do their test sessions this weekend.