SPIED: Kia Rio five-door hatchback on trailer

2

Yet another sighting of the Kia Rio hatchback, this time on a trailer in Glenmarie. Word on the wire is that the third-gen car is to be launched sometime about the first quarter of next year and that it’ll most probably come with the 1.4 litre Gamma DCVVT and an automatic gearbox. We thank reader Nikko for the pictures.

An ad that’s popped up on oto.my suggests a RM70k-78k price range for the Korean B-segmenter, but of course we’ll have to wait a little longer for an official price. Unveiled at last year’s Geneva show, the Kia Rio is also available internationally in three-door hatch and four-door sedan forms.

Kia Malaysia had on display a very colourful Rio in an exhibition hall next to Asia Klasika 2012 last month. We also caught the car undergoing on-road trials back in March.

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Jonathan James Tan

While most dream of the future, Jonathan Tan dreams of the past, although he's never been there. Fantasises much too often about cruising down Treacher Road (Jalan Sultan Ismail) in a Triumph Stag that actually works, and hopes this stint here will snap him back to present reality.

 

Comments

  • the between-lower-middle-income people on Dec 14, 2012 at 11:54 am

    the korean golf gti

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 39 Thumb down 5
    • exactly! kia = lousy drivetrain, driving = no oopmh.

      how to compare to poli/golf?

      That’s why we call it Korean golf gti. :D

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 41
    • Jimmy on Dec 14, 2012 at 1:17 pm

      RM7OK, good/bad price depends on spec. Remember there are Fiesta and Sunny. Elantra and Vios are also very close.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 1
      • Throw vios out..its miserable, old tech, have u seen j specs its worst than myvi actually. Almera is cheap but fugly and 4 speedster.

        The ffugly fiesta sedan beats all. Kia with the specs im sure is a good buy. Preve too.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 3
    • javarchive on Dec 14, 2012 at 3:14 pm

      golf gti more affordable!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 33
    • Lolx when i saw that picture and i thought is a VW Polo !

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 2
    • VW polo on Dec 14, 2012 at 5:57 pm

      Chech/ Kia copy CAT. More potong steam with the lousy drivetrain.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 20
    • Kia fans on Dec 14, 2012 at 6:01 pm

      At UK, this car gives u 7 years warranty! I wonder if NAZA do that? or trying to rip us of with lousy 1.4L 100hp? oomg

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 2
  • Naice on Dec 14, 2012 at 12:01 pm

    This car is nice! But it’s expensive.. Based on price survey at US.

    at US,
    1.6L 138hp Kia Rio 5 door = 13,900 USD to 17,9000 USD
    2.0L 156hp Kia Forte Sedan = 15,400 USD to 17,800 USD

    When arrive to Malaysia: CBU Kia Rio 1.6L will definitely price similarly to CBU Kia Forte 2.0 at RM95k range.

    Thumbs up or down as you like, this is what it’s gonna happen. Kia Rio doesnt meant it’s cheap. In US, It’s not relatively cheaper anyhow.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 30
    • Naice on Dec 14, 2012 at 12:03 pm

      The price indicated at RM70k range sounds like it’s CKD version!

      Then, It’s too good to be true. It’s 1 very very nice car that the beauty can be compared to VW Golf.

      Great Demand for KIA RIO coming soon!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 22 Thumb down 2
      • Naice on Dec 14, 2012 at 12:05 pm

        furthermore, MAlaysian’s engine is a downgraded to 1.4L. Not as 1.6L 138hp like US version.
        RM70k is just 1 good price that KIA isnt ripping off from malaysia.

        Let’s give good support for beautiful car.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 4
      • This Kia can only compared with the lowest spec of the VW UP .

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 11
  • comrade on Dec 14, 2012 at 12:07 pm

    nice rims… hopefully they’ll allow special order for manual gearbox..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 6
    • This car engine 1.4L.. You need a manual for fun driving? lmao. Or you are hoping to get RM65k Manual version? Kia wont do this as it will bring down the image of the price of Kia Rio Hot Hatch,

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • This car looks too Floating from behind.

    AKA why the buttock so high lifted up? the skirt also cant cover much ady..

    It has made the car looks not stable from back view. BIG drawback!

    Naza have to add in bodykit to lowered the skirt. :D

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 5
  • Hyundai De La Junk on Dec 14, 2012 at 12:43 pm

    1.4 ltr 4 speed AT = RM 78,000 is a total ripped off, Naza is getting greedy, boycott it until the price go below RM 60K.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 12
  • Hyundai De La Junk on Dec 14, 2012 at 12:44 pm

    1.4 ltr 4 speed AT = RM 78,000 is a total ripped off, equal to Forte EX 1.6 price, Naza is getting greedy, boycott it until the price go below RM 60K.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 14
  • Honda lover on Dec 14, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    People will still prefer the City FL or Almera than this useless junk from Kimchiland that hv been delay delay delay…
    Rumours say early next year,but that time,Kia says tat they haven’t confirm a launch date yet.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 22
    • Honda lover on Dec 14, 2012 at 1:58 pm

      Unlike Honda Civic,it has been delayed due to the disaster happen in Thailand and Japan,but this rubbish has been delayed with no reason.
      Rubbish Kia n Naza.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 20
  • Pumpkins on Dec 14, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    Bye bye Preve Hatchback…too late lah this Rio Hatch will sapu the sales even before Protong launched the new Preve…Ha Ha Ha Ha it’s early bird catch the worm lah

    To ensure total failure for Preve, Naza Kia surely brings the Forte Hatch / ProCeed lah…Ha Ha Ha Ha mampus lah Protong beaten up by Kia in all directions Ha Ha Ha!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 30
  • harrith on Dec 14, 2012 at 3:04 pm

    Hurmm. I’ve seen this car(Kia Rio 2012) multiple times on the roads in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. How is that possible?? Could somebody shed a light pls.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • Must poorly designed.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 13
  • umnokakipitnah on Dec 14, 2012 at 3:28 pm

    ford fiesta 6 speed auto with 1.6 engine for 80k+ vs kia rio 4 speed auto with 1.4 engine..hmmmm

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 9
    • i don’t think they will be so silly to price it out of competition.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 1
  • pitymalaysian on Dec 14, 2012 at 3:53 pm

    wort so much for what..naza got local car status…so this car will be selling cheap too like forte……with naza badge

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Kio rio is good looking but seriously underpowered.

    1.4L for rm75k, not worth it

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 3
    • VW polo on Dec 14, 2012 at 5:59 pm

      Exactly! US Rio 5 sedan only come with 1.6L 138hp.
      This 1.4L is gonna only give u 100hp atmost. lmao.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • arroncyl on Dec 14, 2012 at 5:24 pm

    saw one kia rio on trailer in penang, beside kia sg. pinang service center…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • Wow i like it!
    toyota using 4speed too why u no say?!
    we just wait and see the real spec. but this car i truly amazing from kia. and really worth if compare to Myvi lagi best n ford fiesta

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 8
    • umnokakipitnah on Dec 15, 2012 at 10:07 am

      myvi i can brain..but more worth than fiesta?…really??..1.4 + 4 speed vs 1.6 + 6 speed + 7 airbags!..what??

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 3
  • civicEK on Dec 14, 2012 at 9:26 pm

    4 speed at 78k? LOLOLOL :D

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • NISSpengAN on Dec 15, 2012 at 8:19 pm

    Rio! go back to kimchi land.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 3
  • Kia fans on Dec 16, 2012 at 4:02 pm

    At UK, this car gives u 7 years warranty! I wonder if NAZA do that? or trying to rip us of with lousy 1.4L 100hp? oomg

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • tungguu on Dec 17, 2012 at 8:47 am

      in thailand its a 1.4l 100hp too :)
      n if u c the international brochure of this car..
      the option is 1.2 or a 1.4..its not a big car by the way…same category as vios that sorts…

      7 years warranty happens in UK or in US for a huge market countries, where they can honor warrant without going bankrupt, because that 7 years can push sales even more. u put 7 years in msia u telling me u gonna get even more sales surpassing toyota or honda?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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