In the past couple of years, on the streets of almost every Russian city, you can see a tangible increase in Korean cars. Most of the cars of this manufacturer pleases consumers relatively, in comparison with more popular foreign models, with good driving parameters and an attractive extraordinary interior. Among these cars are Kia Rio and Hyundai Solaris. It is quite difficult for a person who wants to buy a Korean horse to choose between these vehicles, in the article we will find out which car is better and more practical. Despite the fact that it is very difficult to draw a dividing parallel, due to their belonging to the middle class cars.

At first, we can only say that the Kia Rio, which got into mass production, entered the world market before its rival, however, this circumstance did not allow it to take a leading position. Presentable Hyundai Solaris has surpassed its counterpart in terms of sales in a short time. Hyundai was received with special trepidation by the citizens of the CIS countries, which have become its main consumer category. It is not known what influenced this demand, because the models are so similar that for a comparative analysis, cars will have to be disassembled almost for parts.

The main difference between these machines, of course, is their appearance. The Hyundai Solaris is characterized by an athletic exterior with an alluring sporty touch. Kia Rio, in turn, attracts solidity and attractiveness. It should be noted that both cars have such an appearance, which makes the optimal ratio of price and quality. Hyundai Solaris and Kia Rio are decent vehicles for city driving, their owners often emphasize the presentability of the car. Cars specially created for the Russian market have gained increased ground clearance (16 cm) and a spacious front glass washer reservoir, the volume of which has reached 4.6 liters.

Technical characteristics of power units

To find out which is better Hyundai Solaris or Kia Rio, we will carry out a comparative analysis of the bodies. Solaris, as practice has shown, has a slightly longer service life than Kia, which directly depends on the presence of galvanizing on the device. Korean sedans and hatchbacks are bought mainly by young and middle-aged consumers, which indicates that these cars can be excellently recommended for those involving an active vacation of the owner.

As far as engines are concerned, the matter is quite simple. Both cars, both Hyundai Solaris and Kia Rio are equipped exclusively with gasoline power units, which are equipped with the latest innovations of direct multipoint injection "Gamma". The Koreans have a volume of 1.4 liters and 1.6 liters, and the output and torque are equal to 108 liters. with. / 136 Nm and 124 hp with. / 156 Nm, respectively. More recently, Hyundai Solaris and Kia Rio were equipped with the same type of gearboxes, the device was equipped with a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. More recently, Hyundai's design engineers have made significant changes to the original car, installing a six-speed automatic or manual transmission in it.

Interior decoration and interior

As for the interior decoration of the Kia Rio and Hyundai Solaris, it is impossible to single out someone who is better than their Korean counterpart, since both cars in the interior have the same material, which is high-quality plastic of not the most expensive price segment. It is worth noting the fact that all the seams and joints on the panels are neatly fitted, the average cost of the equipment is at a decent level.

Of the significant shortcomings that the outwardly fashionable Kia Rio possesses, it should be noted the backlight with a red tint, which inharmoniously fits into the overall interior of the car.

The manufacturing organization does not limit its potential customers by purchasing a budget version of the car, everyone can additionally replenish it with the following original accessories:

• various kinds of alloy wheels;
• extraordinary front and rear wheel arch liners;
• specialized plastic hinged protection designed to preserve the thresholds and two bumpers;
• a radiator grille, attractive textile rugs that can fit not only in the interior, but also in the trunk;
• a specialized container installed on the roof of a car, which greatly simplifies the transportation of bulky goods;
• original navigation system;
• parking sensors;
• proprietary underbody treatment to prevent rotting and rust formation.

Both models under consideration (Kia Rio and Hyundai Solaris) have, in many respects, fundamental similarities. However, over the past two years, the sales level of Hyundai Solaris has been much higher. Oddly enough, Kia during its existence was only a few steps ahead of the Russian Lada Granta.

Kia Rio salient features

Kia Rio, which cannot yet boast such popularity as the Hyundai Solaris, has many attractive features, the main of which are:

• appearance with clear sporty features;
• high-quality assembled parts that allow the owner to move freely on the paving stones;
• simple affordable repair that does not require fabulous investments;
• high-quality running gear, which allows you to hold the car steadily even on strong irregularities (the car does not have the "Bad road" option);
• a huge number of specific options;
• medium-sized luggage compartment;
• good ground clearance provided from the rear-view mirrors;
• fuel economy.

One of the downsides is the inability to fundamentally change the car model. Every 120,000 km. you will have to revise the climate control, which can only be serviced with high quality in branded service centers, which imposes on the owner of the vehicle the need for additional work.

Hyundai Solaris personality

There is a certain list of details that puts the Hyundai Solaris above the Kia Rio. A list of the elements that make Solaris better:

• elegant appearance;
• good average ergonomics;
• high-quality engine and gearbox PP, which provide the owner with the ability to squeeze maximum power out of the car;
• excellent indicators of dynamics of acceleration;
• good equipment even for the simplest basic version (for modest money, the car owner will receive airbags, ABS, power steering, the ability to electronically adjust the seats and front double-glazed windows). At the request of the buyer, an electric power steering and additional heated mirrors can be installed.

Despite the fact that only 16 years ago, in the near 2000, when Korean cars first appeared on the world and, in particular, the Russian market, most Russians treated them with some caution, questioning the quality of these cars, today the situation has changed fully. Korean cars found consumers in the form of buyers from South Korea and Ecuador, the Philippines and Indonesia.

It is noteworthy that the best designers who worked on the design of the world-famous Audi, Mercedes and Volkswagen were involved in the creation of the unique design of the Kia Rio and Hyundai Solaris.

Cons of Kia Rio

People who have been using this car for several years note the following malfunctions that occur during operation:

• the appearance of an indefinite knock heard near the front damper of the strut as a result of a run reaching 10,000-14,000 km;
• breakage of the air conditioning hose, which often bursts as a result of passing 50,000 km;

Conclusion

As shown by a comparative analysis between Kia Rio and Hyundai Solaris, the cars are in many ways similar, which makes it very difficult to choose the one who is better than his brother. The only thing that can be said with certainty: the Kia Rio will save some of the money, and the Hyundai Solaris will give you additional comfort and prestige.

As some have already guessed, the topic of the survey is two South Korean car brands that are part of the same group, called the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group. We will not specifically list the technical characteristics of cars, our goal is to find out the attitude of people towards these car brands. We will just briefly touch on the history of brands.

Kia

Kia Motors Corporation is a Korean car manufacturer, the second carmaker in South Korea and the seventh in the world. Almost 2.75 million KIA vehicles were sold in 2013. The official slogan of the company is “The Power to Surprise”. The name KIA stands for, not much, not a little, like "Leaving Asia to the whole world" ("Entering the world from Asia"), and they succeed. In terms of price / quality ratio, cars are in many ways superior to European, and even more so American cars.
The company was founded in 1944, was part of the Kia Group, from which it was separated only in 2003. The company was originally called KyungSung Precision Industry, and it was not until 1951 that it received the name KIA Industries. The main activity was the creation of individual means of transportation - bicycles and motorcycles. The production of trucks and cars was established only in the 1970s. The millionth car rolled off the assembly line in 1988. In 1998, the company plunged into a financial crisis caused by a sharp decline in sales. The result was a loss of independence: Kia Motors was acquired by the Korean carmaker Hyundai Motor. In 1999, the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group was established. In 2006, the German Peter Schreyer, who previously developed the design of Audi and Volkswagen cars, became the chief designer of Kia Motors. From 2008 to 2011, Kia's annual global sales increased 81% to nearly 2.5 million vehicles per year.
In 2005, the SOK group of companies at the IzhAvto plant launched a project for the production of Kia Spectra cars, in 2006 KIA Rio, and a little later KIA Sorento. In 2009-2010, the production of Korean cars at IzhAvto was discontinued. In the summer of 2011, for several months, IzhAvto resumed production of limited batches of old Kia Spectra (1,700 units) and Kia Sorento (800 units). Assembly is also carried out in Kaliningrad. In 2010, for the first time in Russia, the KIA brand occupied the first place in car sales among foreign manufacturers for several months, and at the end of the whole year it took the second place, having sold more than 100 thousand cars.

Hyundai

Hyundai Motor Company - "modernity" is translated. South Korean car manufacturer. The largest car manufacturer in the country and the fourth largest in the world. The company was founded in 1967 by Chung Joo-yeon. It was part of the Hyundai Motor Group, from which it was spun off in 2003. In the 1960s, the company was engaged in the production of several passenger cars and one truck model of the American concern Ford.
In 1972, the South Korean government gave the right to produce cars to four companies, one of which was Hyundai. By 1980, the concern was supposed to produce up to 50,000 vehicles a year with localization of component production up to 91%, which was done. The first generation of the popular and nowadays Sonata sedan appeared in the fall of 1988, in 1996 the sports model Coupe went into production.
In 1998, Hyundai took over the Korean carmaker Kia Motors (already mentioned above).
The correct Russian transliteration of the word "Hyundai" is Hyundai. The official website of the company uses the spelling "Hyundai", but we are still accustomed to calling it "Hyundai", all the more so less like the Japanese automaker "Honda".
The company owns a number of car factories in South Korea (including the world's largest car assembly plant in Ulsan), Turkey, North America, China, India, the Czech Republic, Russia and Brazil.

Korean car giants do not get tired of delighting their fans with practical and balanced cars in an affordable price niche of the market. Next, we present an overview of two popular "Koreans" and try to compare in detail, and understand which is better from the presented cars, Kia Rio or Hyundai Solaris.

Let's touch on the body and interior

Many potential car buyers do not know what to choose from the presented Kia Rio or Hyundai Solaris models. Both rivals have a stylish and advantageous exterior appearance compared to other competitors. Compared to the 2015 Solaris, Rio looks more presentable. To help you understand which Kia Rio or Hyundai Solaris is actually better, we suggest comparing the selected cars. And perhaps in the end you will decide what to choose.

The body of Hyundai, on the contrary, is endowed with youth and partly sports lines. The body panels are galvanized, which guarantees a sufficiently long period of operation without the threat of corrosion foci.

In general, both models are aimed at the young category of motorists and are equally suitable for both sexes, but the question remains open, what to choose from the Kia Rio or Hyundai Solaris models?

Looking into the salon of these "Koreans", we find the quality of the panels and the modern design of their constructive solutions.

The Rio dashboard is implemented in stricter colors, as evidenced by the backlighting of the red tint scales, and the devices themselves are analog in type. In comparison, the Solaris panel is characterized by backlighting in blue tones, which tend to be modern in style.

Both representatives boast comfortable seats for the driver and his front companion, the rear backrests have the ability to fold, following the proportion: 60 to 40. We continue the comparison to understand which is better from the Korean cars Kia Rio or Hyundai Solaris.
The controls for the comfort and safety systems are quite ergonomic, which increases the usability, requiring a minimum of attention while driving.

The luggage compartments have a similar volume, allowing you to move some oversized luggage. The boot lid release handles are also quite practical.

Both cars are designed taking into account adaptation to Russian road conditions, as evidenced by the clearance increased to 160 mm. Therefore, in this regard, what is better cannot be defined.

Performance data

If we compare the Kia Rio and Hyundai Solaris suspensions, we should note the inexpressive operation of the Solaris running gear, which in the first generation was characterized by a tendency to breakdowns into drifts. Now this defect has been eliminated by the manufacturer, which provided the car with the possibility of confident maneuvering and stability.

Rio has a stiffer chassis, but this does not affect the ride quality.

Both models are capable of meeting the needs of rational owners. The rest of the points associated with the peculiarities of the suspension of both rivals do not have significant differences.

Moving on to the engine range available for both the Rio and Solaris, we find the presence of a 1.4-liter 108 hp unit in the first version and a 1.6-liter engine capable of delivering 124 hp. with. at Solaris.

Transmission units also cannot please with their variety, since only two versions are available for the "Koreans" in question:

• 5-speed classic "mechanics";
• 4-level proven "automatic machine".

In comparison, the updated Solaris modification is now capable of boasting more progressive boxes:

• "Mechanics" for 6 speeds;
• 5-speed "automatic".

The motors are quite economical and able to please with moderate consumption, equal to 6.6 liters (manual transmission) in the combined cycle.

The speed and dynamic parameters of both "Asians" are similar and are (2nd generation):

• speed - 190 km per hour;
• acceleration - 10.3 seconds to the first "hundred" ("mechanics") or 11.2 seconds (with "automatic").

Price

The eternal question - which is more expensive: Kia Rio or Hyundai Solaris? At the time of the formation of our article, the price limit for the designated cars in accordance with the information posted in the official dealer network was 612 thousand rubles.

The initial warranty service can "come out" to the owner in 7-8 thousand rubles.

Features proved during operation

According to a scattering of owner reviews, cars for a solid period of operation have acquired the following aspects:

1. The lack of the possibility of deep tuning.
2. After 120,000 mileage, there is a need for serious and expensive maintenance of the air conditioner.
3. Over time, the sound insulation of the salon space deteriorates.

Hyundai:

1. Front suspension struts require close attention in terms of monitoring their performance.
2. Failure of the wheel bearings of the front axle shafts after a 100-thousandth run.
3. The need for more intensive monitoring of the condition of the tubes of the air conditioning system and the power steering unit.
4. With high mileage, more frequent monitoring of the condition of the manual transmission is required due to the tendency of the synchronizers of this unit to breakdowns.
5. Premature signs of wear on the luggage compartment seals.

Reviews

For a more complete picture of the merits and negative aspects of the rivals we are considering, we recommend that you carefully read the presented reviews, which will help you decide on the difficult choice of a suitable option.

Dmitrievsky Vyacheslav, Korolev, owns since 2015

I made a choice for a long time. The main desire was to purchase a spacious sedan suitable for a family. Considered a used version after 2008 release. In 2015, I looked at about 60 used cars until I realized that it would not be possible to buy a comfortable and prestigious foreign car for the available amount. I had to look among the new ones and for the given price. Wandered around the "Americans" and "Europeans" - it's expensive. Began to look after the "Koreans" - I liked Elantra: good equipment, but the price "bites", more than 1.3 million rubles. I looked - next to Solaris. Sat down inside - not bad. Has gained. The 1.6-liter engine surprised me unexpectedly. "I am" already "140", and the car is just beginning to catch the trajectory. I brake when cornering - there is a slight tendency to drift, due to the light body. The salon is thought out in terms of ergonomics and without unnecessary frills. The expense turned out to be sane. The trunk is spacious. I did not notice any incidents with reliability. So far, if you compare, then Solaris is undoubtedly the leader. I'll go again, then unsubscribe.

Sagalevich Vitaly Isaakovich, Rzhev, has been operating Rio since February 2015.

What is best for me to operate in an urban environment? Hatchback. Choosing the right car in the middle price range is a very difficult task. Renault seemed boring and Skoda more expensive than expected. There is still hope for the "Koreans". Compared Rio to Solaris. I had to work hard to find some significant differences. I noticed that Solaris are more common on the streets, so I decided to buy Kia. I took it on "mechanics". Despite my solid weight and dimensions, I feel comfortable driving. The visibility is good. Repair does not "hit" the budget, and spare parts are not a problem.

Semyon Udovenko, Omsk, owns since 2016

I have never played the role of a secondary owner and am not eager to be one. Got into an accident, although not to blame. However, it doesn't matter. There was enough money only for a domestic copy or for a budget "Korean". Crisis, what can you do. A friend owns Kia, let me steer one day - I liked it. Comparing Rio with classmates, it turned out, as for me, better. Acquired a complete set "comfort". The shortcomings, although they appeared, did not carry the scale of the disaster. The main thing is to carefully break in the car. The consumption turned out to be higher than the manufacturer stated. The brakes work flawlessly. Faced minor problems in the air conditioner. The light is decent, although he himself later installed halogen lamps in a circle.

Simonov Nikodim, Astrakhan, has been operating since 2015.

I own Solaris for over a year. In addition to the usual oil and brake pad changes, there were a few other things to fix. At the height of the summer of 2016, I discovered the creak of the pedals, I had to lubricate it. The air conditioner let down a little - I immediately went to the service. In winter, you can move around without problems, although the car is light. It is not difficult to get out of a skid on a slippery area. Here's a comparison.

Summing up

We compared Korean cars Kia Rio and Hyundai Solaris. When comparing two competing car brands, each future owner comes to the understanding that the difference will definitely be present. The correct choice implies not only taking into account the technical capabilities of a particular modification, but also the price factor. Therefore, each person, through analysis, decides what is better and what is worth choosing for purchase. A useful measure would be to get acquainted with the reviews of the owners who have already purchased such a car. Only by inclining towards careful all-round analysis can one make an unmistakable choice.

Recently, the streets of cities are filled with foreign Korean cars. This phenomenon is easily explained by the affordable price and excellent adaptation of cars to city roads.

After reading this article, the reader will be able to figure out which car model is preferable for him, Kia Rio or Hyundai Solaris... Here are the main differences in the characteristics of the two representatives of the Korean automotive industry. Since both models are representatives of the middle class, and outwardly they look almost the same, then at the end of this article the reader will understand which car is better.

Although Kia Rio was the first to leave the assembly line, it did not give him a significant advantage. Some time after its appearance in the CIS countries, Hyundai Solaris overtakes its competitor in terms of the number of sales. The reason for this demand is very vague, since it is impossible to determine the leader by a simple comparison of passport data, it is necessary to compare cars by decomposing them into parts.

First, you should pay attention to the appearance and interior of the presented models, and say with firm confidence that both cars look pretty decent.

It looks like a salon Kia Rio

Since Kia is more presentable and solid, and inside the cabin it is restrained, its opponent has more sporty features. A separate word must be said about the interior trim, it is made in modern traditions. The Kia Rio dashboard has a strict look and red backlighting.

And this is the Hyundai Solaris salon

You should not single out a favorite, only taking into account the interior, because both salons are made conscientiously from high-quality plastic from the middle price range. All joints and seams are neatly made and fit as tightly as possible.

Engine and transmission

The next parameter for comparison is the engine and the gearbox. Both cars are equipped with gasoline engines with a displacement 1.4 , and 1.6 liters equipped with direct multi-point fuel injection. The torque is - 124 h.p. / 156 Nm and 108 h.p. / 136 Nm.

The engine compartment of the Kia Rio

Not so long ago, the transmission had the same characteristics, the manual transmission had 5 steps, and the automatic transmission had 4. The later Hyundai Solaris models acquired one more step, respectively, the mechanics have 6, and the automatic 5.

Hyundai Solaris engine compartment

Speaking about the acceleration intervals to the maximum speed, they are not significant, the fuel consumption per 100 km differs in a small amount.

Features in operation

We smoothly move on to important features and disadvantages during operation... To begin with, Hyundai Solaris has a rather thin layer of paint, weak bumper attachment and poor quality rubber seals that deteriorate quickly. After the first two thousand kilometers, a group of front hub bearings may fail, which is simply absurd. It is worth paying attention to the power steering, to the front pillars of the condensation system.

In turn Kia Rio will disappoint you the impossibility of making a complete tuning. The sound insulation in the cabin will quickly deteriorate, a weak air conditioner may fail after several thousand kilometers and the low lighting will have to be replaced. Having gained speed over 120 km, you will feel some uncontrollability of the car.

To the pluses of Hyundai Solaris can be safely attributed to the reasonable price and reliability, the appearance of the interior and exterior and the security system. The salon will greet you with unobtrusive grace. The pleasant geometry of the seats creates a particularly comfortable ride. Any weather conditions will not create any problems for you in driving. Build quality is one of the strengths of this model.

In turn Kia Rio is an economical car with a low market value. The minimum fuel consumption applies to both urban driving style and on the highway. Climate control should be noted separately, which, depending on the season, heats or cools the air in the cabin in a matter of minutes. In addition, the car quickly picks up speed and slows down smoothly. High ground clearance, airbags, a roomy trunk and the ability to refuel 92 with gasoline only complement the overall picture.

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Having compared all the indicators, each motorist should note for himself certain qualities of a particular car. After all, one likes a sporty style, while the other prefers austere body features and comfort. It is from these indicators that the choice will depend on which model.

Like Alpha and Omega, like Bonnie and Clyde, the famous Korean automakers kia and hyundai work in close cooperation with each other. These 2 world giants have joined the general rhythm followed by other automakers that have enjoyed great popularity for decades, both in the European, Asian and American sales markets. But if close cooperation between these companies develops positively for themselves, then a simple buyer who is interested in kia or hyundai cars gets into a mess, because he cannot choose, torn between very similar brands. We will try to figure out which cars are better than kia or hyundai, what is the difference between these Korean cars?

Hyundai Solaris or Kia Rio

To begin with, let's take the most popular kia car models as a basis and find an alternative from hyundai. Of course, the sales leaders will be hyundai solaris and kia rio, as the most affordable and practical cars in their class. Speaking specifically about these cars, before they were exactly the same, at least for the price, at least for the configuration. But with the release of the new kia rio model, the situation has changed. This car has become more youthful, and thanks to a completely new design, Rio eclipsed Solaris. However, external superiority is not such a great advantage. The choice is of much greater importance, and the choice is provided more by hyundai solaris. A range of engines with different displacement, manual transmission and automatic transmission to choose from, a wide range of additional options - all this is offered by Solaris. Rio has not so many choices and for many it is a minus. Finally, if we compare the initial configuration of cars, the hyundai solaris is slightly cheaper than the kia rio.

Hyundai i30 or Kia Ceed

Another pair of cars popular not only in Russia, but also in other CIS countries is the hyundai i30 and kia ceed. And again, Kia comes out a little more expensive than its competitor, but! The main advantage of the kia ceed is a wide choice of bodies: it is a hatchback, a station wagon, a version of a 3-door hatchback, and a sports version of a kia ceed. The Hyundai i30 cannot boast of such an abundance. As for the technical part, both cars are available to the buyer in versions 1.4. and 1.6. gasoline engine, as well as 1.6. diesel engine. Of course, manual transmission or automatic transmission to choose from. Based on all this, we can safely say that, albeit with a slight advantage, but still, the hours of the scales are tilted in favor of the kia ceed.

Hyundai ix35 or Kia Sportage

And a really interesting comparison is the comparison of two SUVs: the hyundai ix35 and the kia sportage. If in the two previous examples the Kia car turned out to be more expensive, then in this case, you will have to pay more for the hyundai ix35. Both of these cars belong to the "K1" class and are available in both full and front-wheel drive configurations. But what can I say, even the clearance of the models is practically the same: 172 mm for Kia, versus 170 for Hyundai, but these 2 millimeters do not play any role. Despite the fact that the line of engines is slightly different for the models we are considering, nevertheless, the indicators of torque, acceleration dynamics and fuel consumption are in the "same weight category". From this one could conclude that if you are interested in hyundai ix35 or kia sportage, choose the one that you like best externally, but there is one important nuance - this is service! If you believe the words of the owners of Hyundai and Kia cars, then the service and offer are much more profitable from the latter, from Kia.