Exterior
Longer and lower than its predecessors, the new Kia Rio has a much sleeker and sporty appearance. The tiger nose grille, rounded design and clean and smooth edge are definitely some of the defining qualities of this vehicle. With a longer wheelbase, bonnet and front overhang and a lower roofline and compact back end the Rio is noticeably more muscular and stable.
Dimensions
- Wheelbase 2580 mm
- Length 4065
- Height 1450 mm
- Width 1993mm
Sculpted, smooth and aerodynamic, the upgraded all-new Kia Rio boasts more ingenious design than ever before. The new, low, squat and athletic stance of the Rio gives it some newly found bold and striking looks, a look that is continued through into the smallest details.
Adding new twists to its award-winning design, a noticeable update would be the more slender and wider ‘tiger-nose’ front grille, perfectly balanced with the bi-function headlights and d-shaped daytime runners. Kia has successfully refined an already popular design, giving it a more mature and sophisticated appearance. These smooth lines not only add to the overall appearance but also to the actual aerodynamics of the drive, but we’ll get into that later. The exterior is distinguished by its smooth and sculpted surfaces and its sharper lines, and depending on the model it is available in seven different colours.
Interior
This smooth and easy-on-the-eye design continues on into the interior, a really well laid out and well-designed cabin space. The straight and smooth lines of the exterior are evident in the styling which whilst emphasising the space separates the controls up nicely. Matte finishes on contrasting colours and contouring of the trim give the Rio a really eye-catching and unique appearance, really different from the grey interiors of close competitors. Gloss finishes are a very aesthetically pleasing addition, and the centre console is dominated by a new touch screen infotainment display. The introduction of the touch screen means a reduction in the number of buttons and therefore makes for a much neater dashboard and tidy and uncluttered appearance!
Increased leg and shoulder room is among some of the best in its class, the new proportions have also made a massive difference where the boot is concerned with a 13% increase in capacity! The boot is now 325 litres, with the seats up, a great size for you and all the family, the seat also have the welcome 60:40 split which will give way to a super generous 980 litres!
Infotainment and Connectivity Technology
The interior has been designed around the infotainment and connective technology.
- Apple CarPlay
- Android auto
- 7” Touchscreen
- Satellite Navigation
- Smart key with engine start stop button
- Heated Steering Wheel
- USB charging ports in front and back
With additions such as the well placed and massively intuitive steering wheel controls the driver is always easily connected to the car. The designs inclusion of charging ports throughout the car are a really good example of how Kia have kept the passengers in mind with implementing tech features.
Driving and Safety Tech
The all-new Kia Rio is packed full of intuitive technology to help keep you safe, with a load of active and passive systems to help you along the way and give you the best driving experience.
The active systems are:
- ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
- Brake Assist System (BAS)
- Cornering Brake Control (CBC)
- Straight-Line Stability (SLS)
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) (City, Urban and Pedestrian)
- Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
- Emergency Stop Signalling (ESS)
- Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
- Motor Driven Power Steering
- Intelligent Stop and Go (ISG)
- Gear Shift Indicator
- Low Rolling Resistance Tyres
The Passive systems are:
- Twin Front Airbags
- Front Passenger Airbag Cut-off Switch
- Twin Side Airbags (Front)
- Twin Curtain Airbags
- All-round Height Adjustable Head Rests
- Front Seatbelt Pre-tensioners & Load-limiters
- Front Seatbelt Height Adjusters
- All-round 3-Point Seatbelts
- Seatbelt Reminder Warning
- ISOFIX Child Seat Top Tethers & Anchor Fixings
- Impact-sensing Auto Door Unlocking
- Grab-type Exterior Door Handles
Engines
With a wide range of engines, Kia has something for everyone and some even come with the addition of Idle Stop and Go (ISG).
Petrol 1.25
- 83 bhp
- 5 speed manual
- Top speed = 104 mph
- 0-60 mph = 12.9 sec
- CO2 emission g/km = 115
- MPG = 56.5
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Petrol 1.25 ISG
- 83 bhp
- 5 speed manual
- Top speed =103 mph
- 0-60 mph = 12.9 sec
- CO2 emission g/km = 109
- MPG = 60.1
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Petrol 1.4 ISG
- 107 bhp
- 6 speed manual
- Top speed = 114mph
- 0-60 mph = 11.0 sec
- CO2 emission g/km = 114
- MPG = 56.5
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Petrol 1.4
- 107 bhp
- 4 speed manual
- Top speed = 106mph
- 0-60 mph = 12.7 sec
- CO2 emission g/km = 147
- MPG = 44.8
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Diesel 1.1 CRDI ISG
- 74 bhp
- 6 speed manual
- Top speed = 99 mph
- 0-60 mph = 15.9 sec
- CO2 emission g/km = 94
- MPG = 78.5
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Diesel 1.4 CRDI ISG
- 89 bhp
- 6 speed manual
- Top speed = 105 mph
- 0-60 mph = 13.4 sec
- CO2 emission g/km = 98
- MPG = 74.3
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Specifications and Grades
Starting at Grade 1 the new Kia Rio is extremely well equipped and works it’s way up to the realms of luxurious by the time you reach First Addition.
Grade 1
- Air Conditioning
- Bluetooth® with Music Streaming
- 3.8" Radio display with RDS
- USB & AUX Port
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)
- Twin Front, Side & Curtain Airbags
- Steering Wheel Mounted Controls
- Bi-Function Projection Headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights
- Body Coloured Bumpers
- Door Mirrors & Exterior Door Handles
- Front Electric Windows
- Remote Central Door Locking with Fold-away Key
- Electrically adjusted heated door mirrors
Grade 2
- Grade 1 plus
- Autonomous Emergency Braking and Lane Departure Warning system
- Bluetooth® with Music Streaming
- 5" Colour Display with RDS & DAB plus USB & AUX Ports
- 6-speaker Audio System
- 15" Alloy Wheels
- Electrically Folding, Adjustable & Heated Door Mirrors with LED Indicator Lights
- Leather Trimmed Steering Wheel & Gearshift
- Cruise Control and Speed Limiter
- Front & Rear Electric Windows
- Reversing Camera with Dynamic Guidelines and Rear Parking Sensors
Grade 3
- Grade 2 plus
- Autonomous Emergency Braking
- Lane Departure Warning system
- 7" Touchscreen Satellite Navigation
- RDS & DAB
- Automatic Air Conditioning
- Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™
- 16" Alloy Wheels
- Black Faux Leather Upholstery
- Bluetooth® with Voice Recognition and Music Streaming
- Cruise Control and Speed Limiter
- Rain Sensing Front Wipers
- Heated Front Seats and Steering Wheel
First addition
- Grade 3 plus
- Autonomous Emergency Braking
- Lane Departure Warning system
- 7" Touchscreen Satellite Navigation
- RDS & DAB
- Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™
- Smart Key with Engine Start/Stop Button
- Black and Red Faux Leather Upholstery
- Heated Front Seats and Steering Wheel
- Automatic Air Conditioning
- 17" Alloy Wheels
- LED Rear Lights
- Cruise control and speed limiter
Driving Experience
The Rio is undeniably characterised by its smooth and sculpted design, but this new sportier look is more than just a new appearance. The smoothness continues into the actual driving experience, the improved sculpting and aerodynamics have enhanced the quality of the drive as well as the fuel economy. A more rigid body shell and improved suspension deliver a much more captivating handling experience, add this to the reduced cabin noise and roomy cabin and you’ve got a real winner when it comes to an enjoyable ride. Kia has firmly acknowledged that one of their main priorities was to improve the driving experience and make it a key element of their new vehicle.