Alongside the Kia Cerato Koup, the Kia On Tour roadshow in 1 Utama also saw the debut of the facelifted Kia Rio, which is now available in showrooms starting from today. The updated third-gen UB hatch is sold here in top-spec 1.4 SX trim only (retailing at the same RM79,080 as before, inclusive of insurance and GST), ditching the previous entry-level EX.
So what does one get for one’s money? The same as before, actually – standard kit includes projector halogen headlights with LED daytime running lights, LED tail lights, auto lights and wipers, keyless entry, push-button start, a Supervision instrument cluster, single-zone automatic air conditioning with a cluster ioniser, a multifunction leather steering wheel, a sunroof and alloy foot pedals.
The generous safety equipment from the outgoing model has also been carried over, so you get six airbags, ABS, stability control and Isofix child seat anchors on the outer rear seats.
Also unchanged is what’s under the bonnet – the 1.4 litre Gamma CVVT four-cylinder mill makes 109 PS at 6,300 rpm and 137 Nm at 4,200 rpm, sent to the front wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission.
What is new, however, is a redesigned front fascia with a broader lower grille, flanked by projector fog lights sitting inside reshaped surrounds with twin strakes. At the rear, a reshaped bumper incorporated a wider black insert with vertical fog lights, replacing the previous diffuser-like valence and horizontal fogs.
Like the facelifted Optima K5, the new Rio ditches the distinctive flat-dish wheels of old, going for a very Citroën DS-like four-split-spoke 17-inch design instead.
Inside, the changes are much more subtle – there’s a mildly-redesigned head unit with seek and folder scrolling buttons moved up to flank the monochrome LCD screen, allowing all the preset buttons to sit in one row (previously two). Next to it, you’ll notice that the previous cubby hole and seat belt indicator panel have disappeared; the latter now sits in between the middle air vents, which feature a new silver surround.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
A big reminder, KIAs can not be traded in after 2 years. Be very aware!!!
Any cars for that matter will have steep depreciation in the first 2 years. And why would you want to drive a car for only 2 years and change it? If you have such an itchy butt of course you’ll have to pay the price. People who keep on changing to the latest phone or gadget will lose money left, right and center, too
Owned one before, I am in phobia when heard about the name Kia.
I really don’t have to badmouth kimchi car. The owner will speak for themselves how good the car is.
New Honda City anyway better than this kimchi shit.
Honda City also shit. I bought in Feb, then sensor problem send back warranty for 3 weeks. My fren also CVT problem, another one absorber problem. Honda now made in Proton production line.Quality drop!
What happened to your Kia?
the pre-fl looks better, more sporty to me with the 5 spoke rims. And the rear bumper on the FL looks hideous at least in the pictures.
A very good package for 79k.
KIA is no good. Bad RV. Killed In Accident (KIA). Buy Toyota better.. good RV!
Toyota good RV ? That is why Toyota Overcharges You On
Their Accessories (TOYOTA) right ?
Bought the RIO four months ago. My decision is based on value for money , not on RV . Was surprise it came with static bending light which illuminates on the corner you are turning into. Anyway lots of features loaded into this B-segment car makes it a value buy. And i still drives a 11 year old Getz by the way. No regrets having two kimchi cars at home.
Not sure how a Honda City is better than this Rio when one is a sedan and the other is a supermini and different engine capacity.
I have had this Rio SX for more than 2 years now and have not encountered any problem whatsoever with it. Even the after sales service at the outlet just off the Fed Highway has been very satisfactory. Though slightly underpowered, the car still is nice to drive, both in the city as well as on outstation runs. Fuel consumption is reasonable too at 10l/100km purely in stop/start traffic. Not sure about RV though but have no intention of selling anyway so that’s not an issue.
10l/100km reasonable? lol
I tell you what is reasonable: Prius 4.5l/100km
When the fuel price comes to RM3, you will be crawling on the road to save fuel. Good luck!
You think RM3 is far? Think again! the oil price won’t stay USD60/barrel forever.
Please compare apple with apple…
Compare with Prius WTF? Why don’t you compare with Audi?
So frustrated with this facelifted model, what happen with Peter Shryer magic touch?
Went to the showroom today and yeah, the pre FL looks better and its only a cosmetic change for our local Rio.
Good spec but still not dare to buy.. Unless very very very cheap price.. Still cant beat japanese car after sale..
i own a 2006 Rio (second in the Kia Rio series) and up till today, i have not had any major problems with it. Its a very nice car to drive (granted a bit underpowered) and going uphill a bit of problem but apart from that, i am very satisfied with the car (its a CBU unit by the way). I am thinking of perhaps upgrading to the facelift Rio but a bit hesitant because its a CKD model but may at some point go for it anyway