For the second year running the Kia Rio has been shown by the RACQ to be the lowest cost car to buy and run in Australia with an average weekly running cost of $102.71.

"Coming as it does on the eve of the launch of the new Kia Rio in Australia, there could be no greater reminder of the value for money that has made the Rio such a success over the past five years," says Dinesh Chinnappa, General Manager of Kia Automotive Australia.

"We have consistently worked to reduce the running costs of the Rio, whether its been giving it driveaway pricing - identified by the RACQ as major cost reduction factor - or reducing parts prices, which has a beneficial effect on running and insurance costs. This work has continued with the new Rio, which goes on sale in Australia on 1st September 2005. The new Rio, once the improved specification is taken into account, costs less than the original Rio we launched five years ago, demonstrating just how hard we are working to cut ownership costs" says Mr. Chinnappa.

The RACQ's comprehensive survey covered calculations for vehicle operating costs and included five years of ownership traveling 15,000km per year and RACQ comprehensive insurance for a driver 25 - 60 years of age, living in a medium risk suburb. The total on-road cost of the vehicle (including air conditioning on all vehicles) is financed with RACQ Finance, with monthly repayments over five years and the RACQ used its own road test data to represent the cost of fuel. Replacement tyres are the original brand and specification.

Nor is the Rio the only Kia to top the list of cars that cut ownership costs.

The Kia Carnival, as well as being Australia's number one people mover, is also the cheapest to buy and own for the second year running, reveals the RACQ. The Kia Carnival came in at $173.06 a week. The Kia Carnival is also cheaper to own than the full-size V6 sedans and all the four wheels drives tested, further proving it to be the ideal choice for families looking for economical transport.

"With the Kia Carnival, its worth remembering that not only is it the lowest cost people mover to own, its also just a little over $70 a week more than a Rio, which is remarkable considering its seven adult-sized seats, V6-power and lavish equipment," says Mr Chinnappa. "Our policy at Kia is to make our products the best value not just to buy, but also to own and the RACQ has proven that when it comes to value for money, our policy delivers the goods!"

All-New Kia Rio Arrives In Australia 23rd August, 2005 The Kia Rio, consistently one of Australia's top three most popular small cars, has been replaced by an all new-model that delivers ..... more

New Kia Optima To Premiere in Frankfurt 10th August, 2005 Kia has released initial details and photos of its all-new Kia Optima which will make its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show ..... more

ROAD TEST Suzuki Swift 5th August, 2005 Smart And Stylish ..... And Sensational Value! ..... more

Fiat Cars Are Coming Back To Australia 29th July, 2005 The new Punto Grande will herald the return of Fiat cars to Australia. It will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and arrive in Australia in late 2006 ..... more

New Barina and Viva For Holden 23rd June, 2005 Regular readers will recall that the Editor said last year that GM was good for Daewoo and that Daewoo was good for GM. The new Barina and the new Viva, together with the as yet unannounced small AWD (petrol and diesel), are proof that Daewoo was an excellent acquisition for General Motors ..... more