Kia Rio GT-Line v Suzuki Swift Sport 2019 Comparison

The Suzuki Swift Sport is a car that punches well above its weight, but there are some who claim it's too close in price to other performance-focused light hatchbacks such as the Peugeot 208 GTi and the Volkswagen Polo GTI.

We don't agree, not when buyers might have to borrow that extra $4500 between the Suzy and the Pug. The question that then goes begging is whether a $5000 price gap BELOW the Suzuki makes the new Kia Rio GT-Line even better value than the Swift Sport.

It's time to find out.

The latest Suzuki Swift Sport has been a serious critical success in Australia, comprehensively winning over hard-bitten journalists participating in last year's running of Australia's Best Driver's Car.

It's plenty of car for the money. But there's now a more affordable rival, the Kia Rio GT-Line. The Kia comes powered by a turbocharged three-cylinder engine that's 400cc smaller in engine displacement.

Down on power and about 200kg heavier also, the Rio won't be taking out the Swift in a straight line, but can the Kia make up for that deficit in other ways?

Looking like Korea's answer to the VW Polo, the Kia Rio GT-Line is a more conservative design than the Suzuki Swift Sport.

Buyers will divide along those lines – the warm/hot-hatch buyers on a budget preferring the Rio for its clean, but staid styling, and others with a little more money to spend preferring the Swift for its significantly better performance.

We presume that buyers will be mostly younger singles who need a moderately practical car for the suburbs, but also enjoy driving. That's not to say these cars can't be enjoyed by older buyers also. And a major factor in their appeal is their practicality for daily driving.

Although Kia cites a retail list price of $23,090 for the Kia Rio GT-Line, there's currently a national 'drive-away' price of $22,990 on offer.

We've gone with the drive-away prices for this comparison, since Suzuki is selling the Swift Sport inclusive of on-road costs as well – but at $27,990 it's still $5000 more than the Kia.

For that money, the Swift Sport's specification advantages are eroded by the longer warranty for the Rio GT-Line: seven years versus three years. The service intervals favour the Kia as well, the Rio needing one service a year, versus one every six months for the Swift.

The Swift Sport goes really hard in a straight line, and it's amazingly frugal, using just 6.7L/100km on a test drive.

The engine has torque everywhere across the rev range and the (manual) shift is light enough to use with ease for commuting in traffic. Heavily bolstered seats in the Swift are excellent, the hip point is good for older drivers and there's room for adults in the back.

Dynamically, the Swift Sport delivers strong braking and secure cornering, with plenty of grip available.

In contrast, the Rio GT-Line can match the Swift Sport's dynamic competence and improve on it with better ride comfort, handling that's nearer neutral, better brake pedal feel and steering that's tighter at the straight ahead.

The Rio has a larger boot too, plus a full centre console and slightly more presentable instruments and infotainment systems.

Its warranty is much longer, as are its service intervals, and the price difference will offset the heavier fuel consumption over many years.

Boot space is stingy in the Swift – an adjunct of the Rio's 180mm added length. Neither car comes with a full-size spare. (space-saver for Rio, tyre repair kit for Swift).

There are no adjustable vents for rear-seat passengers in either car.

The Rio is short of engine output and the three-cylinder warble isn't as soulful as the Swift's four-pot powerplant. All that power and torque in the Swift can easily overpower traction in the dry, let alone the wet, and the Suzuki's traction just isn't in the same league as the Kia's.

The Swift's steering is light and prone to wander on centre, the ride quality is less compliant at lower speeds and the brakes don't react immediately to pedal pressure for the first centimetre or so.

The Rio's lights are literally overshadowed by the impressive headlights and high-beam assist of the Suzuki. While the seats are adequate in a more mundane light hatch they just aren't up to the task of holding the occupant securely when cornering forces build.

To start the Rio you have to turn a key in a lock barrel, unlike the Swift, with its push-button ignition.

When you consider the virtues and vices of both these cars, it's really hard to look past the Rio.

It's more affordable to purchase, its warranty and servicing provisions are better and in some eyes it's a more attractive car. It's also more comfortable and can match the Swift for most dynamic KPIs.

And yet... we gave the gong to the Swift Sport. The Suzuki takes out the prize mostly for its exceptional powertrain and light weight, both of which enhance performance and fuel economy (and therefore overall cost of ownership).

In point-to-point driving the Swift has the Rio's measure, and the excellence of the seats and headlights complement the straight-line verve and the Swift's ability to change direction and wash off speed.

In short, there's not much in it, but the Swift Sport is the appropriate choice for hot-hatch buyers.

For everyone else, the queue starts on the left for the Rio GT-Line.

How much does the 2019 Kia Rio GT-Line cost?
Price: $23,510 (as tested, drive-away)
Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 88kW/172Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 5.4L/100km (ADR Combined); 8.2L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 125g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP, 2017)

How much does the 2019 Suzuki Swift Sport cost?
Price: $27,990 (as tested, drive-away)
Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 103kW/230Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 6.1L/100km (ADR Combined); 6.7L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 141g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP, 2017)