Kia Ray facelift revealed – updated looks, engine

Kia Ray facelift revealed – updated looks, engine

After teasing the car last week, Kia has finally pulled the wraps off the facelifted Ray. The Korea-only kei car-like box on wheels has been refreshed after six years on the market with a number of exterior and interior tweaks, plus a revised engine that is claimed to use less fuel.

The cutesy looks have been made even more toylike, with the signature tiger nose grille closed off (it’s now body coloured and features a dimpled pattern) and moved upwards to sit between the headlights, themselves featuring new graphics. There’s still an air inlet where the grille used to sit, and the one that sits below it has been made larger. The fog lights are smaller too, and sit within vertical pill-shaped surrounds.

In fact, Kia has gone to town with the pill shape, which adorns the new wing mirrors and the rear reflector cutouts. Meanwhile, the LED tail lights get C-shaped light guides, and a new garnish above the rear number plate recess mirrors the grille’s dimpled pattern. New 15-inch two-tone alloy wheels complete the look.

Kia Ray facelift revealed – updated looks, engine

The Ray retains the novel kerbside sliding rear door (the rest are normal portals), which opens up to the same upright cabin as before, with a 319 litre boot that can be boosted to 1,219 litres with the 60:40-split rear seats folded. There have been a few changes, such as moving from the previous Picanto’s distinctive two-spoke steering wheel to a new three-spoke item.

Also fitted a new gearknob and a redesigned centre fascia panel with a wider metallic bezel, while buyers now get the option of a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Safety kit has been increased with the inclusion of an emergency stop signal and a rollover sensor for the six airbags.

Kia Ray facelift revealed – updated looks, engine

While the 78 PS/94 Nm 1.0 litre three-cylinder engine has been retained, it’s been tweaked to produce a 2.4% improvement in fuel economy, with a combined figure of 13 km per litre; a four-speed automatic transmission sends power to the front wheels. There’s no word yet on whether the EV model will be retained.

Kia is also offering a range of customisation options from the domestic-market Tuon range, including contrasting roof, door mirror and tailgate garnish colours, plus a grille appliqué. On the inside, accessories include ambient lighting, LED room and sun visor lighting, carpets and door sill scuff plates, and there are also pet-friendly items such as a mobile cage, a fence between the front and rear seats and seat covers.

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • anonymous on Dec 14, 2017 at 8:58 pm

    we need this here in malaysia. Have it customisable. so ppl can use to carry products and work as a food truck

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
    • AhHock on Dec 15, 2017 at 1:25 am

      P2 Kenari. jz rebadge dan sell laa.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
      • Sulaiman Andak on Dec 15, 2017 at 9:52 am

        I wish Proton was like Kia and Hyundai. In the year 2000 the name of Hyundai and Kia was like butt jokes in Malaysia. Everybody laughed at Kia Sephia and Kia Sephora.

        Look at them now. They worked hard and transformed their bankrupt company to be No 1 in Australia and No 1 in USA.

        I wish we become like Koreans.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
        • Efforts starts from ownself. So start working hard at becoming the role model u wish to see.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
      • Sulaiman Andak on Dec 15, 2017 at 10:10 am

        Malaysians want time tested Toyota engines. This is why Myvi is selling well

        We only trust Toyota and Daihatsu engines.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Jaafar Karim on Dec 14, 2017 at 10:36 pm

    See how clever the Koreans are. They are hardworking and smart. That is why they can sell 8 million cars per annum (Hyundai Kia group)

    They never beg. They just work hard.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 12
    • Yeah so what?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 13
      • Zulrafiq on Dec 15, 2017 at 10:32 am

        This is why we never improve. Jaguh kampung think we are so happening.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 5
        • Effort comes from ownself. Successful pipu dun complain and just work at it. They dun let unconstructive criticism bring them down.

          Toyota was jaguh kampung for 50 years and were like shiet for 60. But despite the mocking, laughter, and derision, they just work at it and only turn around after 60 years of existence.

          Only small minded pipu/entities will allow unfounded negatives affect them, and even smaller minded ones to throw these at them.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
    • Powerbank on Dec 15, 2017 at 3:53 am

      But Kia is even much better than Hyundai because Kia design is nicer than Hyundai as Hyundai design are getting worst and not only that Hyundai sales are getting bad. Also, yesterday I proved that Hyundai Akon’s front facelift is copying from Citroen C4 Cactus

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
      • Powerbank on Dec 15, 2017 at 3:55 am

        For more info, I accidentally type Akon and actually is not Akon. It is Hyundai Kona

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • mousepad man on Dec 15, 2017 at 4:34 am

      Prove that Kia sales is even better than Hyundai because Hyundai design are getting worst when there is a new Hyundai vehicles, Hyundai Santa Fe and Hyundai i10 were so outdated until the new facelift haven’t launched yet but even Hyundai Santa Fe and Hyundai i10 new facelift design is getting worst as well where Kia is doing well and better which Kia vehicles are better design and even new generation of Kia Picanto will launches very very soon. Not only that new Kia Picanto is nicer design. So Hyundai showroom better get ready to close down

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
    • shoes socks shows on Dec 15, 2017 at 7:57 am

      Kia sales is even much better than Hyundai

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • Ah Kow on Dec 15, 2017 at 10:06 am

      I think they work smart more than hard :)

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Bernard on Dec 14, 2017 at 11:40 pm

    What a nice car. Can we have it for below rm30k?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 5
  • Will Mac on Dec 15, 2017 at 12:44 am

    love this car! Along with the Suzuki Ignis, this is my fav small car atm

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • productpositioning on Dec 15, 2017 at 12:45 am

    What a joke. Kei cars are supposed to be fuel efficient. Is this a joke Kia ? 13km/l ? Japanese are at 20+ km/l. If mixed is 13mk/l, city driving is what, 8km/l ? Might as well get a lorry.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Looks more like a “TOY CAR” than an acceptable real safe car

    I will pass it to avoid being laugh by everyone for driving and owning this little TOY !!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
  • azrai on Dec 15, 2017 at 8:07 am

    Kawai car from Korea.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • SoftbankSucks on Dec 15, 2017 at 8:30 am

    13km/l is not an impressive number in this class
    (22.5km/l for Perodua Axia)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
    • This car is bigger than kenari and myvi, 1.0 is not enuff. Sebab tu fuel consumption tinggi.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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