The KIA Rio gets a refreshed design

The KIA Rio Gets a Refreshed Design

By Murali Naidu

The KIA Rio first entered the market in 2005, replacing the once-popular KIA Pride. Since then, the Rio has spanned over six generations, becoming a recognizable model for the brand. As we approached the end of 2020, KIA introduced a refreshed and revised KIA Rio range. These updates not only enhance the vehicle’s exterior design but also increase standard specifications across the range. For more insights and reviews on KIA models, visit KIA Reviews on AutoAdvisor.

Clean and Updated Exterior Design

The KIA Rio now boasts a much cleaner exterior design, with most updates focused on the front. While the iconic tiger-nose grille remains, the grille's redesign is paired with a lower, wider front bumper and new fog lamp housing. Intelligent design goes beyond aesthetics; the KIA Rio's body shell incorporates 51% Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS), providing structural integrity that keeps occupants safe in the event of an accident. Two new exterior colors—Perennial Grey metallic and Sporty Blue metallic—add to the fresh look.

Engine Options: 1.25-Litre and 1.4-Litre MPI

The KIA Rio is available with two engine choices:

1.25-litre MPI petrol engine: Produces 61 kW and 120 Nm of torque, paired with a five-speed manual transmission.
1.4-litre MPI petrol engine: Produces 73 kW and 135 Nm of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Minimal Interior Enhancements with Modern Tech

The interior of the KIA Rio receives minimal enhancements, focusing on user-friendly features. The highlight is the upgrade of the colour touchscreen interface from 7 inches to 8 inches, now standard across the Rio range. Front passengers benefit from USB and auxiliary-in ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. A 12V power socket is also available to charge additional devices. Steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free telephony come standard.

Safety Features and Specification Grades

The refreshed KIA Rio maintains its four specification grades, offering key safety features such as:

Driver’s and passenger’s airbags (including side and curtain airbags in the TEC model)
Front seatbelt pre-tensioners with load limiters
Side door impact beams (front and rear)
ISOFIX child seat anchors
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) (from LX grade onwards)

Warranty and Service Plans

All KIA models come with KIA’s Unlimited Kilometre/5-year warranty. The KIA Rio 1.2 LS includes a 2-year/60,000 km Service Plan, while the 1.4-litre models come with a 4-year/60,000 km Service Plan. The refreshed Rio models are available at KIA Motors dealerships across South Africa.