Rio is a compact sports utility vehicle offered by the Premier Ltd. This also happens to be one of the low priced SUV's available in the country's automobile market. It is available in a few variants that are offered with quite a number of styling as well as advanced features. One of the best things about this vehicle is its compact size, which makes it easy to drive even through the congested traffic roads. And it also has a ground clearance of 200mm, which is rather good compared to other models in this segment. It has eye catching exteriors that can easily lure a buyer. In the front, it features a perforated radiator grille that is surrounded by a large headlight cluster. On the sides, there are B-pillars and outside mirrors, which are also integrated with side turn indicators. The wheel arches equipped with a set of alloy wheels, further adds style to its side profile. Meanwhile, its rear end looks quite decent with a wide windshield including defroster and bright tail lamps. Moreover, a spare wheel is also offered in the top end variants along with a body colored cover, which is attached to its tail gate. In terms of interiors,it is blessed with a roomy cabin that is decorated beautifully with a two tone color scheme. Its cockpit looks pretty decent with a few equipments that are fitted to its dashboard. Some of these include a power steering system with a three spoke design, and a stylish instrument panel that displays various notifications. Besides these, it also includes a CD player that lets its occupants listen to their favorite music, while traveling. Comfort is best ensured through its seats, which are wide and well cushioned. The rear bench seat comes with folding facility, which is useful in making more space for luggage inside. There are also a few utility based aspects offered like cigarette lighter, cup holders, removable ashtray and a few others. The cabin also features a proficient air conditioning unit, which is operated manually. The company has loaded it with some vital protective features for an enhanced security of its passengers. The list includes child lock safety on rear doors, brake assist, front and rear seat belts, and high mount stop lamp to name a few. This vehicle is equipped with an award winning multijet diesel engine that is integrated with a common rail direct injection system. It is a 1.3-litre motor that belts out 71bhp along with torque of 183Nm. It also comes with a 1.5-litre diesel mill that has the ability to displace 1489cc. Meanwhile, the automaker has also offered it with a 1.2-litre petrol power plant, which is compliant with the Bharat Stage IV standard emission norms. Both the petrol and diesel motors deliver an impressive performance, while giving better fuel efficiency. All these features together, makes it one of the finest compact SUVs that is fun to drive on Indian roads.
Exteriors
The outer appearance of this compact SUV is quite decent. It has a rigid body structure that comes fitted with some notable aspects, which adds style to its overall look. To begin with its front facade, it has a wide tinted windshield that provides a better view to the driver ahead. This comes fitted with a couple of intermittent wipers that comes with 2+1 speed setting. The sleek bonnet that has a few visible character lines over it, which makes it look attractive. Then, there is a large perforated radiator grille that is garnished with chrome. It also features a black colored strip, which is further embedded with an insignia of the company in its center. Surrounding this grille, is a large and well designed headlight cluster. It is integrated with high intensity headlamps and turn indicators as well. The frontage also includes a black colored bumper that is fitted with an air intake section, which cools the engine in no time. It also includes a couple of round shaped fog lamps and a protective cladding beneath it. The side profile of this vehicle is quite appealing. It includes aspects like black colored B-pillars, door handles as well as outside rear view mirrors, which are further integrated with side turn blinkers. Besides these, it has neatly carved wheel arches that are equipped with a modish set of alloy wheels. On the other hand, its rear end features a few interesting aspects like a wide windscreen that includes a defogger and wiper. It also has a sporty spoiler, which is integrated with a high mount stop lamp. This windshield is flanked by large tail lamps that are equipped with turn indicators. A spare wheel is also offered along with a cover and this comes fitted to its tail gate. Then, there is a well sculpted black colored bumper that is further equipped with a pair of fog lamps. Besides these, it also features roof rails, which gives a complete look to this vehicle.
Exterior Measurements:
All the variants of this model series come with same exterior dimensions. The company has designed it with an overall length of 3970mm. It has a total width of 1570mm along with a height of 1730mm, which is rather good and offers enough head space inside. Coming to its wheelbase, it measures 2420mm, which is quite spacious and indicates to roomy internal section. The front and rear track of this vehicles comes to 1305mm and 1310mm respectively. The best thing about this model is its ground clearance, which measures 200mm. This dimension is good enough to deal with challenges both on and off road conditions. Meanwhile, it comes with a minimum turning circle radius of 4.7 meters. The kerb weight of its petrol trim is 1080 kgs and the diesel variants weigh around 1145 kgs. Whereas, the gross weight of this vehicle comes to 1530 kgs.
Interiors
Editor's take : The interiors of the Rio have under go a lot of changes and now it is much better then before and so are the bells and whistles. The space in both the rows and the boot are sufficient. The quality is decent, and could have been better.
The eye catching interiors is one of the best parts about the model series. It is blessed with a roomy cabin that is decorated with an elegant dual tone color scheme. The firm has used fine quality materials to craft it and garnished a few aspects with chrome, which further gives it an appealing look. The dashboard is very well designed and comes fitted with a few equipments. It includes a steering wheel in a three spoke design and there is also the company's badge embossed on it. The instrument cluster looks quite stylish and features a tachometer. This panel also gives out a number of notifications for added convenience of a driver. The center console comes equipped with an air conditioning unit as well as a music system. Then, there are air vents, which spreads cool air in the entire cabin, while the glove box compartment has enough space to place many small things in it. The seats are pretty wide and well cushioned as well. These provide a maximum comfort besides good support to its passengers all through the drive. The front seats are integrated with head restraints, which are adjustable. While, the rear bench seat has 50:50 double folding facility, which is useful to bring in more luggage inside. There are pockets available on the front door trim and at the back of driver's seat. Apart from these, it includes a few utility based aspects like cup holder in console, cigarette lighter, and a removable ashtray as well that adds to the utility of its occupants.
Interior Comfort:
The automaker has loaded it with some interesting features that aids in enhancing the comfort level of its passengers. Starting with the cabin, it is quite roomy and gives ample head as well as leg room. It has a power steering wheel that gives very good response and makes maneuvering an easy task to a driver even on traffic filled roads. It is offered with sun visors, which comes with a vanity mirror on the passenger side. The adjustable head restraints provides additional comfort and the rear window defroster, further adds to their convenience. The central door locking system is available in all variants, which allows to lock or unlock doors at the touch of a button. Then, there is a stylish instrument panel that comes with a tachometer and speedometer as well. It displays a number of notifications like door ajar warning, reverse gear indication alarm and a few others. It has internally adjustable outside mirrors, while the headlight cluster comes with headlamp leveling device. The rear seat has a split folding facility, which is a plus point. It features energy absorbing type steering column, while there are front power windows whose switches are mounted on the door trim. Another interesting aspect is the music system, which allows its occupants to listen to their favorite music. Besides these, it includes a proficient air conditioning system that is manually operated. This unit comes along with a heater and helps in controlling the temperature inside. Meanwhile, the rear window includes a defogger, while the wiper is helpful in giving a clear view to the driver, especially during rains. In addition to these, aspects like a digital clock, removable ashtray, room lamp, day and night rear view mirror, floor mats, keyless entry, tail gate opener, luggage room lamp, remote fuel lid opener and a few other such aspects that offers additional comfort to its passengers.
Interior Measurements:
This model series is designed with a spacious cabin that can take in five people with ease. It offers sufficient front and rear head space, while the leg room is also quite good owing to its long wheelbase. On the other hand, the shoulder space is also good enough to make them feel comfortable. It comes with a boot compartment of 454 litres, which is pretty good and this space can be further extended up to 1158 litres by folding the rear seat. It is incorporated with a large fuel tank that is capable of carrying around 46 litres of petrol or diesel in it.
Acceleration & Pick-Up
Editor's take : The acceleration of the Rio is decent especially with the multijet now powering the compact SUV.
The firm has coupled all the three engines with a five speed manual transmission gear box. Its petrol mill enables the vehicle to attain a top speed of around 145 Kmph, and to accelerate from 0 to 100 Kmph in nearly 19 seconds. The 1.5-litre diesel motor propels it to cross the 100 Kmph speed mark in approximately 18 seconds. Meanwhile, the variants with 1248cc diesel power plant takes nearly 15 to 16 seconds to break the 100 Kmph speed limit. Both these mills enable it to achieve a maximum speed of around 135 to 145 Kmph.
Engine and Performance
Editor's take : The 1.3-litre multijet engine is the pick of the lot. Not only is it the most powerful, but is also the most fuel-efficient. Ofcourse, it is the most popular diesel engine in the country.
The stunning series is offered by the company with both petrol and diesel engine options for the customers to select from. It has a 1.2-litre petrol engine that is integrated with a multi point fuel injection system. It comes with a total displacement capacity of 1173cc and generates power of 75.6bhp in combination with 103.9Nm torque. The 1.5-litre turbo diesel mill has the ability to displace 1489cc. It delivers an impressive power and torque output, besides returning a decent fuel economy. This vehicle is also offered with a 1.3-litre diesel power plant that is integrated with a common rail direct injection system. All these motors carry four cylinders that are further fitted with 16 valves. These are skillfully coupled with a five speed manual transmission gear box that enables smooth transmission of gears in high traffic zones. The petrol mill, which is compliant with the BS IV emission standard norms has naturally aspirated air charging system, while the other engines have a fixed geometry turbocharger along with an inter cooler.
![Premier Rio Mileage]( "Premier Rio Mileage")
Mileage
Editor's take : The mileage of the Premier Rio is decent, especially the multijet and the TUD5 diesel engine.
The CRDi4 based diesel motor is capable of giving a mileage of around 21 Kmpl on highways and nearly 17 Kmpl within the city. The 1489cc diesel mill returns about 16 Kmpl on the bigger roads, which comes down to approximately 12 Kmpl in urban areas. On the other hand, the fuel economy offered by the 1.2-litre petrol engine ranges from 8 to 12 Kmpl approximately.
Power of Premier Rio
Editor's take : The power produced by the multijet is good and even the power delivery is linear. Power was the only missing weapon in the Rio armoury.
The 1173cc petrol mill generates a peak power of 75.6bhp at 5800rpm besides yielding torque of 103.9Nm between 3500 and 4250rpm. This vehicle also comes with two diesel engine options of which, the 1.3-litre motor churns out 71bhp at 4000rpm along with torque output of 183Nm in the range of 1800 to 2400rpm. Meanwhile, the 1489cc diesel mill is capable of producing 63.9bhp at 4000rpm, while its maximum torque comes to 152Nm that ranges from 2250 to 3000rpm.
Braking & Handling
Editor's t ake : The ride of the Rio is well sorted as the occupants do not jitter even at high speeds. However, the handling isn’t that good and the Rio lacks confidence on bends and corners.
This vehicle is incorporated with a reliable braking system that performs exceptionally well. The front wheels are fitted with a robust set of disc brakes, while sturdy drum brakes are used for the rear ones. This mechanism is further enhanced by anti lock braking system along with electronic brake force distribution. It has a proficient suspension system that comprise of McPherson strut and coil spring on the front axle and the rear one is affixed with a five rod system. Besides these, handling is made quite easier with the power assisted steering system that gives better response. It helps in easy maneuverability even during sharp turns and supports the minimum turning radius of 4.7 meters as well.
Safety & Security
Editor's take : The Rio gets safety features like ABS and also seatbelts as passive safety.
The company has also loaded this model series with a number of security aspects, which ensures maximum protection of its passengers and the vehicle as well. It has advanced features like anti lock braking system along with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist. It avoids the wheel lock up and protects it from skidding on slippery surfaces. There are three point ELR (emergency locking retractor) seat belts offered at front along with pretensioners, while standard seat belts are available in the rear. It has a strong body structure that comes along with side impact beams. It features child safety locks on the rear doors and includes central door locking system. The high mount stop lamp, which is integrated to the rear spoiler, is helpful in preventing collision. The instrument panel keeps the driver alert always by giving out important notifications like door ajar warning and a few others. This compact sports utility vehicle is undoubtedly one of the low priced vehicles available in this segment yet, it comes with some vital security aspects that keeps its occupants safe while on their journey.
Wheels
The neatly carved wheel arches of its DX and GX trims are equipped with a set of steel wheels, while the remaining variants are fitted with a modish set of alloy wheels. All these are further covered with tubeless radial tyres of size 205/70 R15, which offer an enhanced grip on roads, while ensuring high level of safety. Moreover, the firm has also offered it with a spare wheel along with a cover. It is attached to the vehicle's tail gate and comes with all tools that are required for changing a flat tyre.
Pros
1. Both the engines deliver an impressive performance.
2. Its high ground clearance is the major plus point.
3. Ample leg and head room offered to its passengers.
4. Spacious boot compartment allows storing a number of things.
5. Its braking and suspension mechanisms are highly reliable.
Cons
1. The noise and vibration of diesel engines should be reduced.
2. Security standards should be further improved.
3. Interior styling and designing can be made more appealing.
4. Mileage of its petrol engine is not up to the mark.
5. There is scope for adding many other comfort aspects.
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