It looks like the third-generation Kia Rio is getting very close to its Malaysian debut – reader Kevin spotted two silver-coloured examples of the five-door UB somewhere in the Klang Valley earlier today.
No idea as to what the chosen powertrain for this market is to be – globally, there are six engine choices, including a 1.6 GDI lump offering 138 hp right through to a 69 hp 1.1 litre three-pot diesel. Something like the 107 hp 1.4 litre petrol unit would be right up the alley locally, but guess we’ll have to wait and see.
The car, which was unveiled at last year’s Geneva show, is also available in sedan form, which is the Rio Sedan offered in the US market as well as the K2 derivative, which sells in China.
Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.
naza made the right bet. and now all naza kia car is going to sell like hot cake.
Pls do make sure there are some ready stock (or short waiting list) before just simply launch the new model..
look at the sportage, so many roadshow, test drive activities, but no stock can be sell.. what the …….
If the badge is fking NAZA and not KIA, then i will definitely not consider it!!!!!
dun wori.. salesman will give free KIA badges..
Why do you think Inokom Elantra Launching been delayed ? I think the govt had finally wake up to stop those fake National Car from been threat to P1 up coming model, so we may say bye bye to Naza Forte & Inokom Elantra, which mean they can have the original badge & sold under CKD pricing which is 10-25K extra.
Let see hows the Korean Junk been sold without uinfaired advantage, my guess 75% Sales drop at lease !
All the past generation Rio was a flop, wonder would this be any different ?
Anyway the real design showned are way below VW Polo or Golf beautiful design.
no idea what you trying to say man….but if you are saying that the rio looks worse compared to a Polo or Golf…buy some glasses….
Looks ok but the Polo and the Golf looks way expensive and better looking than this Rio…
polo and golf designs are very boring….read top gear a few issues back where they reviewed the rio….they will agree with me….anybody who thinks that the golf is better looking than this rio is blinded by the VW badge…I’m no Korean car snob…in fact am a VW fan….but I am not biased
I think VW Polo & Golf have more matured & Pro design unlike this wannabe Rio mix & match & here & there & going no where.
I am not VW car snob.. infact i am Korean car No.1 Diehard Fan, Look ! I even use Hyundai as my nickname.. i am not biased too.. I am just given constructive critics for Korean to made better car..
Sometime i wonder all this “i am not Korean Car Fanboy/Snob/Lackey commentor” think they are trying to fooled. LOL
.golf and polo is the most popular car in the europe 2011….
..”infact i am Korean car No.1 Diehard Fan” … or more like Paultan’s No. 1 Korean car troll … lalala
Please share your story. Why do you hate the Koreans so much? Did your girlfriend cheat you with a Korean guy? Leave you for one? What has happened to make you hate them so much?
kia has improved so much that people are comparing it to VW now!
Ford’s Korean cousin
Wahhh look like a shrunken Sportage!!! nice!!!
Great!! What is the estimated price for Rio ?
Love the front hate the back…
WOW NICE….GOOD BYE PROTON SATRIA NEO
wait til p1 start making neo cfe…who’ll have the last laugh…hahaha…
i do not care about the engine, but I care about design LOL
typical malaysian… always comment on the looks only, unable to comment on technical stuff..
my typical not your,my money not your…
will they make it or not that is other question…..but I dont think so.
keep on dreaming…
manyak tonggek ooo ini kereta..harge brp?
now Korean(K&H) car is better(design) than Japan(T&H)……proton..errmm mehhhh
back looks a bit like the Seat
Very true since VW DNA prominent in this brand
Lol, just my thoughts when I saw the Toledo post just above this!
This Korean Car spoiled the VW design by making this Copy Cat Crap Car.
do i care?
the direct injection GDI engine surely wont come to malaysia due to poor quality petrol with sulphur content.
so is 1.1 diesel… gues, just make do with a 1.4 engine. like the previous one. that failed miserably.
Seem like 1.4 is the only option that possible make into Malaysia market, it may filled the vacuum left by Getz, but this is a tough category as too many player.
But why? even 1.1 diesel cant sell in Malaysia? But then there are cars with turbo diesel being used in Malaysia.. eg Santa Fe 2.2 Turbo diesel. Our diesel should be good enuf. On a similar note are there no GDI petrol cars being used in Malaysia???
After browsing Paul’s site for sometime I would think most readers would be going for Cars with more tech (eg DIff engine tech) rather than the same old tech with bodywork/design changes only.
Personally I would not buy another car unless it’s Turbo something or GDI something…. else I’ll just keep my myvi.
Sell it at around RM60,000 for 1.4i if Naza wanna take some Lagi Best’s share. More than that defy the logic since C-segment Inokom Elantra MD around RM80,000.
Where is this world ‘cheap’ starting with RM60,000 mark?
Rear looks like mini sportage
Looks a bit like Renault Mehane
Oh sorry guys , I mean megane folks (The rear lights) .. Really sorry, jizzed in my pants when i saw mehane
You’re like this eh Jeremy?
wuhoo.. DAEBAK!!!! i can see the Kia power to suprise people.. Cannot wait for naza to launch this car… I think they should bring the sedan version also.. and Naza, please bring the new Picanto and Soul to Malaysian market..
new picanto n soul coming 2 malaysia this year..juz wait..
Know when new picanto will launch?
Kia Soul +10!!!
New Kia Rio design nicer than Ford Fiesta hatchback
i’m waiting for MPV by Peter Schreyer touch.
Nothing exciting. Same old specs will be brought in to this country.
1.6 Petrol, Auto and 1.4 Petrol, Auto
Priced at 65K and above.
Its getting boring and predictable.
Shit cant see the front headlamps,dunno got day time running lights onot.i expect this year’s automotive scene to be very interesting
Still waiting for veloster & focus titanium..launch it la..aduyai..
There wont be an ‘EcoBoost’ed Focus coming here laa.. Sooo disappointed.
6 speed manual tranny spotted..make it one of Malaysian car fan choice please..Clutches need to be pressed physically..not virtually..
i m still waiting for the Soul
competitive year 2012
New Proton P3
New RIO
New Optima
NV200
New Ezora Turbo
New Sunny
Prius C
New FOCUS
wonder why Blue Motion VW wont get tax rebate…it is hybrid..shud price it reasonably.
blue motion is not a hybrid.it’s a diesel with bodykit.
will naza bring in the sedan version?
really cant see the point to launch this car here
More information on specs here:-
http://www.kia-rio.com/
6 Speed Manual Tranny is a definite, but depending on Kia Malaysia to see if they’re bringing this specs in.
My best bet would be 1.4l – 4 speed auto would be the model Kia Malaysia bringing in.
The 1.6 GDI + 6 speed Auto is only available in US & AU only, but news is the Rio RS would be coming soon.
Been searching for a B-Segment car lately
Thats why the info ekeke..Would be lovely if its priced at 65k. 
too bad that even the best powertrain for this nice-looker is dissapointing.
Naza, please dun bring the RIO sedan, the looks like a cheaper version of Kia Koup, and will pour some ice to ur hot market now. Remember, the cheap look of Peugeot 207, yep no need such type of a model!
Wow. At first I thought it’s an older Seat. Like early 00s, late 90s…?
Wow. At first I thought it’s an older Seat. Like early 00s, late 90s…? I mean the rear.
Great to see Kia’s flood the market. Go Kia, Go!
i got too tired waiting for this rio and picanto, so i just go on and booked a myvi
will be signing the agreement tonite
n now comes this spyshot, what the heck :’(
rio………. such a lame name for a car….
eventhough this time, the rio comes in style, but the name is so lame, owning 1 is a freaking nightmare…
what car do u drive…?
forte!
ohhh… nice car! I like the rearview mirror with the built in lcd.
what car do u drive….?
rio..
oh really?….. :O
make it 1.6L to compete wit latio, ford fiesta, mazda hatchback
will they keep the car name rio or rio5?
wat about kia Venga (k-car)? or kia soul (too pricey for small car kot)
any idea when Rio 2012 launch..?
and will it comes with 7years warranty as per other countries get..?