I STILL find it amazing that years after Kia introduced its seven year warranty, other manufacturers have not matched it.

It's by far the best warranty available on a new car, and is transferable to any subsequent owners, giving them the remainder of the long security.

Now if Kia's cars were way behind the market in design and ability, the warranty might not be worth very much.

But they most certainly are not. They are in most ways just as good as the bigger selling competition from Europe and Japan.

One of the company's mainstays is the larger than average Rio supermini and the last model, built between 2011 and 2017, makes very good transport for a couple or small family.

Four engines were available, two petrol and two diesel. The petrols are a 1.25-litre with 83bhp and a 1.4 with 107, while the diesels are a 1.1-litre with 74bhp and a 1.4 with 89bhp.

All are reasonably smooth and quiet at speed, but with such power outputs, performance is fairly pedestrian.

That said, running costs are very reasonable, partly because of great economy across the board, but also due to low insurance groupings starting at 1.

That economy is exceptional. The 1.1 diesel is capable of no less than 78mpg on the official average, while the 1.4 is rated at 70.

The petrol 1.25 is rated at 60mpg, while the 1.4 has a figure of 56.

Now of course, these figures are only for comparison but mean that the diesels should both average over 50mpg in the real world.

Best performer is the 1.4 petrol, which can get from zero to 62 miles an hour in 11.3 seconds. The 1.1 diesel offers very poor acceleration, but of course, performance is not what people buy it for.

All drive through a slick changing six-speed gearbox, and with a light easy clutch and fairly informative steering, they are ideally suited to driving in town.

But they are also more than capable out on a twisting country road, with high levels of grip and good agility when changing direction. This helps them feel very safe and sure.

The cabin feels roomy and there's good leg and headroom front and rear. The back seats will easily accommodate two adults or three teenagers or children.

Comfort is right up with most of the opposition, with supportive seats and a supple ride, and road, wind and tyre noise are all reasonably suppressed.

Basic trim levels are 1, 1 air, 2 and 3, and lowest order cars come with body coloured bumpers door handles and mirrors, stability control, headlamp levelling, height adjust driver's seat, electric front windows, MP3 compatible stereo with USB and aux in and Bluetooth.

Top 3 models have alloys, cruise, heated front seats and a cooling glove box.

Pay about £4,800 for a '13 13-reg 1.4 five door in 2 spec, or £8,700 for a '16 16-reg ‘3' five door 1.4 CRDi diesel.