Kia insists on not holding back any punches with its new lineup, and its fourth-gen Rio is no different. The new Rio is lower, longer, and wider, and looks all the better for it. With the added dimensions come more passenger space, more comfort, and more storage capacity. Kia will also offer a variety of engines and transmissions to suit your needs.
Featuring Kia’s trademark Tiger face and a distinctly “Kia” roof line, this B-segment contender can’t be confused for anything else in the parking lot. Inside, you’ll find a familiar Kia Rio interior but updated to fit into the new Kia family. Buyers can also expect to see a very modern selection of options and add-on such as iPod/USB ports, Bluetooth, heated seats, LED running lights, and automatic stop/start. One neat optional feature is the Emergency Stop Signal, which flashes the brake lights thrice to let drivers behind the vehicle know there’s sudden braking to be had ahead.
The new Rio model is longer (by 20 mm), wider (by 25 mm), and lower (by -15 mm) and features a wheelbase extended by 70 mm (to 2 570 mm), thus promising to offer improved passenger space and cargo capacity (+7% at 280-litres) over the previous model. Notably, it will also be available for the first time in both 3-door (in Europe) and 5-door body styles.
In Europe, the new Rio will offer customers a choice of three- and four-cylinder engines with outputs ranging from 52-to-81 kW, a CO2 rating as low as 85 g/km, plus fuel consumption as low as 3.2 L/100km. Diesel options include a 1.1-litre with 52 kW and 162 Nm, and a 1.4-litre with 67 kW and 216 Nm of peak torque. The petrol lineup comprises of a 1.4-litre with 81 kW and 136 Nm – that powers the fastest Rio from 0 to 100km/h 11.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 181 km/h – as well as a 1.25-litre unit producing 63 kW and 118 Nm with a combined fuel economy of 4.8 L/100km.
The regular Rio models will have a CO2 rating of 94-to-124 g/km, but in Europe, these figures can be further reduced by specifying Kia’s optional fuel-stretching ISG technologies (automatic stop-start, advanced alternator control, upgraded starter motor and low-rolling resistance tyres), which is available on all models. Equipped with Kia’s ISG, emissions will range from 85-to-114 g/km, and fuel economy from 3.2-to-4.8 L/100km.
Standard transmission for both diesels and the larger petrol engine will be a six-speed manual gearbox, while the 1.25-litre engine has a five-speed box. A four-speed automatic gearbox will be available as an option on the 81 kW 1.4-litre.
