The KIA Rio in its third generation has been on our shores for about four years now and the Korean carmaker recently introduced a fourth model that clearly adopts a sharper rendition of KIA’s current design language.
Obtaining its design cues from the Soul, the hatchback gets a taller front end characterized by a thin grille that’s wider than before and connects sweptback headlights. Rear styling features an upright C-pillar with practical benefits in the additional headroom for the passengers sitting in the back.
Inside, the KIA Rio boasts a simple, flowing dashboard with horizontal lines that emphasize the cabin’s width. Next to the new three-spoke steering wheel the center stack is dominated by a large touch screen that runs the latest generation of KIA’s Uvo infotainment system. Let’s see if KIA South Africa manages to convince the big wigs that we are also worthy of modern infotainment systems.
Technical specifications still remain unclear at this stage but speculations suggest KIA will retain the current engine derivatives for the Rio.
The KIA Rio hatchback is tentatively scheduled to go on sale next year in South Africa.
What’s next?
The Rio sedan’s successor is still in the works, and we’ll likely see it either during the Los Angeles Auto Show or early next year at the Chicago Auto Show. Regardless, it will also go on sale next year as a 2017 model.
