What will I replace my Kia Rio with?

Hi,

I have a budget of about €7,000. I've been driving a 2009 Kia Rio for five years. I like how it handles, but I'd like a higher seating position and more clearance underneath because I live very rurally.

Things that matter to me: handling on curves and in bad weather, comfortable ride, fuel efficiency, ideally fold flat rear seats as I occasionally like to do DIY. Not too noisy (wind and road).

I do love to drive, and a bit of horsepower wouldn't go awry! But once it isn't crawling uphill, the other factors are more important. I rarely have passengers. Not concerned whether it's petrol or diesel, once it's manual.

Appreciate your advice!

Mary Alagna

Mar 2025 Filed under: choosing used car

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Expert answer

Hi Mary,

There's loads of choice on the market at that price level, and one car that stands out as potentially perfect for you is the Honda Jazz. Manual versions are rarer, but they do exist. The seating position should be a little higher than your Rio's, but it's still a car that handles well in the corners rather than a lofty SUV. The rear seats have loads of versatility built into them as well.

If you found your Kia dependable, a natural replacement could be the Kia Venga, a kind of tall hatchback. The Hyundai ix20 is effectively the same car, and they're not bad, though probably won't tick the "bit of horsepower" box for you...

Let me know if we're on the right track and if you need help narrowing down your search. 

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Advisor