VW Up! or Kia Rio

[ABAcabby]

Hi. These are the two options i've narrowed it down to. I live in Australia now and cars are really really expensive.

If I get the Kia, it's going to be a base model, manual transmission 4 door (+ wendy brown/mocha paint - 1500$) for a total of $17,500 AUD (1.4l motor - 106 bhp, 100 ft lbs).

If i get the VW, it's going to be a base model, manua transmission 4 door (in white - no additonal cost). The VW up comes in at $18,494 AUD (with the 3 cylinder motor spitting out 73hp and 70 ft. lbs)

Hopefully i got those numbers right. Had to do some quick conversions... I test drove the Kia already and liked it alot. I know it's probably more car for the money, but i kind of like the unique factor of the VW, and the fact that i can't have it in the US (just moved here a month ago). The kia also comes with an unlimited km, 5 year warranty. I'm not sure the warranty is on the vw. I haven't gotten out to test drive it and i can't seem to find any info on the website or elsewhere regarding that topic.

I'll probably do the typical modest suspension drop and a tasteful set of wheels. Here's two examples i like.










Opinions? Input? anything you can tell me about these two cars that i might not know? Thanks.

[Lwize]

The Up is cute, but the Rio is more car for the money.
And I'd skip paying $1500 for special paint.

[WhistlerYOW]

The Up is cute, but the Rio is more car for the money.
And I'd skip paying $1500 for special paint.

1500 is a lot for paint but do it if that's few colour you like.

I'd get the up though.

[AdrockMK2]

1500 is a lot for paint but do it if that's few colour you like.

I'd get the up though.

x2 what he said.

[89fox_^]

its a hard choice actually, the up nice car 3 cylinder really gonna save in the gas department. But the kia is a lot more car and cheaper,i would opt for the up just Becuase the 3 cylinder and it will save you in the long run.

[too_slow]

Are the prices quoted OTD? I believe Hyundai Australia has a deal for the new Elantra GT's for $20,199 OTD, and it is substantially more car.

I've driven the new Rio hatch, and it reminds me of a 2000 Civic DX hatch but much more solid. It was fun to drive around, was spacious, and was very economical. Based on pictures alone, the RIo looks more 'premium' than the Up!. How are the prices on a base 5dr Polo?

I bought my one way ticket to Sydney in Dec. I am leaning towards a used 2nd gen Mazda 6 hatchback. The Mk5/mk6 Golf's are very pricey used.

[x_GTI_x]

call me a fanboi, but I think the up is cooler.

[1Point8TDan]

What about a slightly used Polo?

[slide13]

1500 is a lot for paint but do it if that's few colour you like.

I'd get the up though.

x2 what he said.

call me a fanboi, but I think the up is cooler.

stupid fanbois.

[Air-over-water]

The Up! is smaller, so I go with the Up!

[AdrockMK2]

stupid fanbois.

Everyone that prefers a VW over a Kia is now automatically a fanboy? Noob.

[Air-over-water]

stupid fanbois.

Says the guy with the "Honda 4 LYFE" sig...

[x_GTI_x]

stupid fanbois.

do you and C4 A6 make out on your spare time?

[MrKevkevL]

I like the Up!

[rlfletch]

No can lose. Flip a coin.

[10minutes]

Rio. I don't see any compelling reason to get Up! over Rio. However, there are many reasons to get Rio over Up!.

[invisiblewar]

Judging by what pictures you chose, I'm thinking that you already have made up your mind and want the Up!.

[MeineFolks'wagen]

At least you have the option of looking at an Up! Stupid VWoA

[Jerico007]

call me a fanboi, but I think the up is cooler.

Same here...VW Up all the way.

[Live-Wire]

The Rio looks like it fights in the next class up to the VW, yet it's cheaper and most likely better equipped/better warranty. I have a few friends with small, newer Kia's (post Spectra/original Rio) and they seem to be holding up well. They all seem to like their cars.

VW does small cars well, so don't count out the UP! (drive it first, obviously)... but I wouldn't buy it based on it being different/unavailable in the USA when you live in Australia. If something else is better/cheaper - it should earn your business.

[Fritz27]

The idea behind buying an economy car that is worse and costs more money seems insane to me, but I'm not a Dubber.

[Air and water do mix]

Wait a minute. You're asking a bunch of people who have certainly never driven one to evaluate/compare the two based on hearsay when you yourself can go drive one? You're doing it wrong!

Now go out and test drive both then report back once you're made your decision. (this is not a request, I'd like a first hand account of the Up! ) It's the only way you'll really know. This is, of course, assuming one drives subjectively better than the other.

[Air and water do mix]

The idea behind buying an economy car that is worse and costs more money seems insane to me, but I'm not a Dubber.

Since you've never driven one, how exactly would you know this?

[J-Tim]

Unless you need more space, I'd go for "Up".

KIA Rio are everywhere and the model gets replaced every couple of years or so. By the time you'll get used to the car it'll be superseded.

Have you considered Fiat 500 ?

[J-Tim]

The idea behind buying an economy car that is worse and costs more money seems insane to me, but I'm not a Dubber.

Do you only buy your stuff at K-mart and buy your food in bulk ?

[Volksboy]

At least you have the option of looking at an Up! Stupid VWoA

x2

[FlashRedGLS1.8T]

I live in Australia now and cars are really really expensive.

Holy crap. Congrats.

[The Holy Molar]

[absoluteczech]

saw an up in paris... not bad

[joe97]

the model gets replaced every couple of years or so. By the time you'll get used to the car it'll be superseded.

Most car companies do this to make their lineup fresh. This kind of things don't happen in Aussie land??

As for the topic on hand, I haven't driven the VW so I can't comment. The Rio, on the other hand, I would recommend. I am not sure how features stack up, but the version here can be spec'd with a lot of bells and whistles not normally found in the segment. The car returns very good fuel economy, it rides well, and is a good driver.

[J-Tim]

Most car companies do this to make their lineup fresh. This kind of things don't happen in Aussie land??

Of course they do. It's just KIA and Hyundai do that more often than others. Volkswagen tends to keep their models for around 4 years.

[VRhooptie]

You want this
http://carsales.mobi/cars/details/?R=13281974


http://carsales.mobi/cars/details/?R=13328551

[J-Tim]

You want this
http://carsales.mobi/cars/details/?R=13281974


http://carsales.mobi/cars/details/?R=13328551

Not a bad car, but those are like flies, unless he is after a GTi version.

[Klim18]

VW just because I don't like telling people I drive a KIA.

[JettaGT8V80]

wait when did you move to Australia????

id go with the kia personally