Kia Rio (2011 – 2017) Review

March 2011

Kia Rio goes on sale

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 - greatly enhancing passenger space and cargo capacity.

Manufactured for the first time with a choice of 5-door and 3-door bodystyles, the new KIA Rio is intended to sell in substantially greater numbers than the the previous third generation Rio.

To lower fuel consumption and help achieve Rio's class-leading emissions, Kia engineers have carried out an extensive programme to shed weight across a broad range of components. As a result, although new Rio is a significantly larger car than the third-generation model with extra equipment, its weight-gain has been kept to a minimum.

The 5-door version of new Rio will go on sale in the UK from September with the all-new 3-door model on sale from early 2012. Both versions will be manufactured exclusively at Kia's Sohari plant in Korea.

Features available on new Rio cars for the UK market will include smart-key entry system, RDS radio CD player with MP3 compatibility plus AUX, iPod and USB connections, Bluetooth handsfree (with voice recognition available from December 2011), climate-control air-conditioning, heated front seats and LED daytime running lights.

The new Rio's cabin is more spacious. The base of the windscreen is moved forwards by 156 mm and up by 18 mm, while the 70 mm longer wheelbase and 25 mm wider bodyshell bring space benefits for all occupants and luggage capacity. Front legroom is increased by 45 mm, front headroom by 8 mm.

In the UK the new Rio will offer customers a choice of four highly efficient three- and four-cylinder engines - with a 70-to-109 ps power range - and a CO2base-line rating from just 85 g/km, plus fuel consumption as high as 88.3 mpg.

In many countries, diesel power is the preferred option in this segment and Rio will be available with two versions of Kia's 'U2' power unit - both fitted with 16-valves and a Waste Gate Turbo. The 1.4-litre generates 90 ps and 216 Nm of torque, while the 1.1-litre produces 70 ps and 162 Nm. Both engines deliver maximum torque from just 1,750 rpm.

Buyers who prefer their new Rio powered by petrol can select from a 1.4-litre Gamma or 1.25-litre Kappa engine.

With maximum output of 109PS and peak torque of 136 Nm, the 1.4 engine powers the fastest Rio - accelerating to 62 mph in 11.5 seconds.

The 1.25-litre engine in Rio delivers 85 ps and 117.8 Nm of torque, while achieving fuel economy of 58.8 mpg.

Standard transmission for both diesels and the larger petrol engine will be a six-speed manual gearbox, while the 1.25-litre 85 ps petrol engine has a five-speed box. A four-speed automatic gearbox will be available as an option on the 1.4-litre 109 ps petrol engine.

January 2012

Rio prices revealed

April 2014

Rio 4 now tops the range

Adding to the existing ‘3' specification with a smart key with engine start button, a power sliding and tilting sunroof, black leather upholstery and a heated steering wheel. Rio ‘4' is available in petrol and diesel engine variants. At £15,495 the 1.4 four-cylinder 107bhp petrol version features a six speed manual transmission, emissions of 124g/km and an insurance group of 9. The six-speed manual transmission, 91PS 1.4 CRDi diesel variant produces 105g/km and is priced at £16,595 with an insurance group of 7.

Kia Rio ‘3' Automatic is also available only as a five-door model, has a 109PS 1.4-litre petrol engine producing 137Nm of torque at 4,200rpm and costs £15,100. Standard equipment matches that of other Rio ‘3' versions, but with the deletion of the ISG engine stop/start system fitted to manual-gearbox models. Combined fuel economy is 44.1mpg, withemissions of 150g/km. The car accelerates from 0-60mph in 12.7 seconds and has a top speed of 105mph. Previously, the four-speed automatic was offered only on the Rio ‘2'.

January 2015

Facelifted Kia Rio goes on sale

Redesigned front and rear bumpers have given the Rio a sharper, sportier appearance; changes to the upholstery of most models and to the centre fascia trim have raised perceived quality to new heights; while new items like touchscreen satellite navigation, electrically adjusted and heated door mirrors, a DAB digital radio, tyre pressure monitoring and a luggage net and undertray - depending on model - add to the well-being and convenience of owners.

A striking new Urban Blue colour option, replacing Electric Blue, is available on second- and third-tier models, and there are distinctive new 16 and 17 inch alloy wheels for all but the two entry-level grades. The 16-inch wheels on grade have 195/55 R 16 tyres, while the 17-inch rims on level 3 and 4 models are shod with 205/45 R 17 rubber.

The new Rio is offered in a total of 19 versions based on three- and five-door body styles, five trim grades (1, 1 Air, 2, 3 and 4) and four engines. Most manual versions have Intelligent Stop & Go (ISG), Kia's fuel-saving, emissions-reducing engine stop/start system, which contributes towards the 1.1-litre diesel model achieving an official fuel economy figure of up to 88.3mpg - better than any non-electric car on sale in the UK, including hybrids and eco specials, at the time of its introduction in the car

All versions have smart new high-gloss black embellishments on the centre fascia, replacing the metallic effect formerly found on grades 2 and above, and a chrome handbrake button. Grades 1 and 1 Air have new black cloth upholstery, while grades 2 and 3 have new premium black cloth upholstery. Grade 4, which was introduced to the Rio range at the start of 2014, continues with black leather upholstery with faux leather sections.

New equipment includes 7-inch touchscreen satellite navigation system now standard to grades 3 and 4. It includes European mapping and a Traffic Messaging Channel (TMC), and also features an integrated reversing camera. (These models no longer fitted with a CD player with MP3 disc compatibility.)

DAB digital radio is now standard on all versions of the Rio, delivering excellent sound through a wide selection of channels. For convenience, the name of the chosen radio station is indicated on the radio display.

Grades 1 and 1 Air now have electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, while in grades 2, 3 and 4 these also fold electrically and have LED indicators. Grades 3 and 4 also now have a luggage net and undertray, providing more secure storage for small items.

January 2015

High value SR7 version launched announced

Every SR7 has a higher specification than the 2014 VR7 special-edition models. LED daytime running lights, cornering lights, front foglights, automatic headlight control, privacy glass, UV-reducing solar glass, dual-zone automatic air conditioning and roof rails are the highlights of the equipment additions, depending on model. There are also new alloy wheels and colour options.

The Rio SR7 is available as a three- or five-door with an 84bhp 1.25-litre petrol engine, or as a five-door with a 1.1-litre diesel featuring Kia's ISG stop/start system. In each case the SR7 sits between the normal ‘1 Air' and ‘2' grades in the line-up.

The Rio SR7 features automatic headlight control, privacy glass on the rear windows and tailgate and UV-reducing solar glass in addition to the highlights from last year's VR7 of air conditioning, reversing sensors, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearshifter, Bluetooth, USB and AUX ports, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors and electric windows (all four on five-door versions). It has the same premium black cloth upholstery fitted to the latest ‘2' and ‘3' trim grades, and bespoke 15-inch alloy wheels. The five colour choices include the new solid Lemon Zest on petrol models. Bright Silver is specific to the diesel.

July 2016

Rio specification upgraded

The new five-door Rio ‘1 Air’ now includes air conditioning yet is offered at the same price as the former grade ‘1’ model from £10,945.

The new ‘SE’ is available with a 1.25-litre petrol engine or a 1.1-litre diesel, priced from £12,995 and £14,295 respectively. The ‘SE’ features all the equipment which was standard on the former ‘SR7’ plus a significant package of extra items – automatic air conditioning, front foglights, a supervision instrument cluster, a rain sensor, cruise control and speed limiter, electrically folding, adjustable and heated door mirrors with integrated indicators.