In December 2012, we told you that the Kia Rio will be launching this month, and Naza Kia Malaysia has now confirmed the date – January 30.
“2012 was a strong year for Kia in Malaysia with sales growing 13% to 12,309 units. For 2013, we expect our sales volume to expand by double digits and the all-new Rio will play an integral part in achieving this target,” said Datuk Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar, COO of Naza Kia.
“The all-new Rio was Kia’s best-selling model outside of Korea in 2012 with 466,826 units sold, and we are confident it will be just as successful in Malaysia,” he added.
Key features of the B-segment Rio include LED daytime running lights, sunroof, LED rear lamps, Arkamys audio system, motor-driven power steering (Hyundai and Kia’s term for EPS), electronic stability control (ESC) and six airbags. Click here to read more about the Rio’s specs from our previous post.
The hatchback is powered by a 1.4 litre MPI Gamma engine. The DOHC with CVVT unit makes 109 PS and 136 Nm of torque. Naza Kia Malaysia is keen to highlight the car’s trendy design – it has won the International Design Excellence Award in the USA and the Product Design Award at the 2012 Red Dot Design Awards in Europe.
Specs and pics can be found in our previous post.
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AI-generated Summary ✨
The comments mainly express excitement and positive anticipation for the Kia Rio launch, praising its stylish design, safety features, and excellent equipment, especially considering its affordable price. Many highlight its safety ratings, airbags, and modern features, viewing it as a strong competitor in the segment. Some concerns are raised about the car's engine power, 4-speed transmission, resale value, and after-sales service, with a few critics questioning the engine's performance or comparing it unfavorably to other models like the Vios or Proton. There's also discussion about pricing expectations, with many hoping for a competitive price point around RM60k- RM73k, and some expressing interest in sedan variants. Overall, the mood is one of enthusiasm, with cautious notes on performance and service aspects.