I’M not sure what it is about the Kia Rio but it has always attracted my attention in the way that should only really be reserved for rather more stylish and expensive motors, writes Alyson Marlow.

But having thought long and hard about why it provokes such interest I realise that being an 80s chick it is probably as much to do with Duran Duran as it is with the car itself.

I can’t quite picture Simon Le Bon at the wheel of the car belting out one of the group’s early hits but fast forward more than 25 years to the current incarnation of Kia’s Rio and while not as alluring as Le Bon in 1982 it’s not a bad mover in its own right, perhaps more Dollar than Duran Duran.

What you get is an extremely economical B-segment car, a choice of engines, easy-to-understand trim range with Rio, Rio 2 and Rio 3 and a sporty option with the 1.6 litre engine I sampled.

The Rio is a good size for the sector and transported a carload to Bristol and back in comfort. This is thanks to the 1.6 litre engine together with the relatively large wheelbase, tall roofline and a wide cabin which is such a bonus when your front passenger insists on reading a newspaper!

I’m not sure the 1.4 litre version would have been quite so easy to pedal on long inclines but was pleasantly surprised at how capable the larger 1.6 engine was.

As the top of the range you do have expectations from the 1.6 Sport but with fuel economy of more than 43mpg and a 0-62mph of just over ten seconds the Rio has plenty to commend it.

The silver colour was hardly breathtaking but the Sport does have alloy wheels, rear spoiler, flashes of red in the interior trim and its good to see climate control and a trip computer as standard fare.