The Rio is the smallest car in Kia’s lineup, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t pack a heck of a punch. The refreshed version of the fourth-generation Rio broke cover today delivering a host of upgrades.
The new model retains Kia’s signature tiger nose grille but updates it to fall into like with the new K5 and Cadenza sedans, among others. It pairs with a wider front bumper and new fog lamp housing. Full LED headlamps are standard. Kia has added Perennial Grey and Sporty Blue paint jobs to the roster as well as new 16-inch alloy wheels.
The car is now available with a Perennial Grey paint job.Photo courtesy of Kia Motors
Under the hood is a new turbocharged 1.0-liter mild-hybrid engine, replacing the current 1.0-liter powers-ant. It features the same 48-volt lithium-ion battery technology that is present in many mild-hybrid vehicles from the Ram 1500 to the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The new engine produces 100 or 120 horsepower, depending on the buyer’s choice, the same as the outgoing power plant.
European versions of the car will be available with additional engine options.
The car comes standard with Kia’s new clutch-by-wire manual transmission. It works with other car systems to activate Kia’s auto start-stop technology while maintaining traditional gearbox characteristics. The engine is automatically switched off when the brake and clutch pedals are simultaneously pressed as the car comes to a stop. When the pedals are released, the engine is turned back on.
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Kia has equipped the Rio with a Drive Mode Select system, giving drivers the choice of Eco, Sport, and Normal drive modes.
At the front, the car has design cues in line with the new Cadenza and K5.Photo courtesy of Kia Motors
The new Rio is available with an 8.0-inch infotainment touch screen. It has Display Audio or navigation, depending on vehicle specification. The list of standard features includes Bluetooth while wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are available when buyers opt for a model with the larger screen.
Buyers can also get “Phase II” of the UVO Connect telematics system, which includes live traffic information, weather forecasts, points of interest, fuel prices, and details of potential on- and off-street parking – including price, location and availability. It also features online voice recognition, supported by server technologies, which lets users give voice commands, hands-free, to search for nearby points of interest, addresses, weather updates, or send text messages.
The UVO App is compatible with Android and Apple smartphones, and allows owners to activate a range of functions and features remotely. Depending on country, users can remotely send route directions to their car before a journey, check the location of their vehicle, and access vehicle reports and diagnostic notifications.
More details about the system will be released closer to the car’s on-sale date.
In front of the driver is a 4.2-inch digital display.
The driver information screen displays information at a higher resolution than in the past.Photo courtesy of Kia Motors
Owners can choose from a number of interior customizations whose availability depends on the market. The color options add colored seat bolsters, dashboard, and door arm rests, as well as contrast stitching. GT-Line models are offered with a black single-tone interior with white contrast piping and stitching on the seats, and a faux carbon fiber dashboard.
Standard and GT Line Rio models are now equipped with driver and optional front passenger seat height adjustability.
The Rio is also available with a long list of safety and driver assistance features including forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian, vehicle, and cyclist detection, intelligent speed limit warning, smart cruise control, rear cross traffic assist, rear occupant alert, lane departure alert, and lane following assist.
New color options add contrast stitching to the Rio’s seats.Photo courtesy of Kia Motors
Pricing and an on-sale date will be announced later this year.
