The Kia Rio facelift has made an early appearance before its scheduled show debut in Paris later in the week. As Kia’s global best-selling model, the fourth-generation Rio is vital to the Korean carmaker’s immediate future. But as far as facelifts go, this is a very minor one.
On the front, the updated car receives a new front bumper with reshaped fog lamp inserts, as well as a refreshed grille with a piano black pattern. The headlights and the general shape of the tiger nose grille stay as before, though, forgoing the bolder face used on the Rio Sedan.
A redesigned rear bumper with a wider plastic insert – eschewing the faux-diffuser look of the outgoing model – and new, very Citroen DS-like wheels complete the exterior makeover. The latter drops the current car’s flat-dish design, following the same move on the facelifted Kia Optima K5.
Inside, the Kia Rio facelift receives a small update, with new chrome accents surrounding the air-con vents. The single photo provided of the centre console shows the optional 7.0-inch Kia AVN (audio-video navigation) head unit, so we don’t know how the standard version will look just yet.
As expected, no mechanical changes will be introduced. The 107 hp/137 Nm 1.4 litre engine stays, mated to either a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Kia’s optional automatic start/stop system (called ISG) will be available in Europe, but not elsewhere.
In Malaysia, the current Kia Rio was launched early last year, priced between RM73,888 and RM79,888 (both on-the-road with insurance). No news yet on when the updated version will arrive in our market. You’ll know more when we do.
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Damn Koreans, they giving every car manufacturers a run for their money.
Kia… moving backward.. the previous design more appeal..
Rear bumper looks ugly
KIA know how to design a new car but dunno how to facelift a car. KIA K5 proved it.
This is no nicer than Iriz.
Kia’s global best-selling model – Rio
Proton’s global best-dreaming model – Iriz
people appear to be saying iriz is a global car without much understanding about what that means. The Iriz is capable of going global but it is not yet a global car. The car must not only be accepted locally but also in other developing and developed countries. The engine for instance is not euro compliant, which is why Proton indicated that they may be sourcing a new engine for that particular market. So, no…Iriz is not a global car as yet. Whereas the Rio and even the daihatsu Sirion is..they are sold around the world.
Insane… MYR 73,888 ~ 79,888 for a Kia Rio small hatch ???
You can get a SUZUKI SWIFT from MYR 28,000 at INDIA.
Extra accessories installation is cheap out there with variety choice/brand/quality.
yeahh…so lets go move to India..
Amboi, compare the Rio price in Malaysia with Swift price in India.. prff…
Still a way to go as become a real operation manager ya.. lol
I thought the one who sets all the prices is MITI? Just like how Honda and the rest of the Japs wanted to sell cheap in Malaysia but can’t.
Hey bro, r u oK? here is not India…
FYI, Suzuki Swift full spec selling 77K over here with much less safety gadgets compare with a lowest spec RIO (73k).
thanks……
we have problem with typical 80% msian where fall under lower category —> lack of VISION
We have a problem with typical 80% msian where he/she though he/she is so high class, but actually good in talk kok only..
That the problems with the typical 80%
—> lack of VISION
compare KIA rio malaysia’s price with suzuki N year ago model Swift with india’s price.
seems legit
dual-tone colour interior is more suitable for the small car like this. Not look too dull.
Familiar-looking front bumper. Hmmmm~looks like a certain Malaysian hatchback.
i know u want to say “Copy”. But this is far more nicer in look and also something some of us said doesnt important.
copy what?
only minor update..anyway..still prefer the current rear bumper design…the FL looks like joker mouth..
In Brunei, Kia Rio was cheap like perodua myvi price, Kia sportage was only $28k-$33k, imagine the mnalaysia tax…
Fugly
Myvi far superior than this plastic Korean
are you mad? Superior in what way?? This is a euro Ncap 5star car! Technologically it’s the best hatch in the price segment. Even better than Iriz.
Myvi milo tin is so thick. Even NCAP cant test the thickness and how hard it is.
conclusion: KIA lose.
Exterior of existing model + interior of new FL = best la
The rear bumper should be put at the front and vice versa
Kudos KIA.it’s hard to deny that they have achieved what we hoped for P1 and P2.kindly correct me if im wrong,but once we are far far better than the Kimchis.just imagine that this Rio is a P1 product.im on leave today so i went to see iriz.i left speechless.and i think we will see a lot of axias very soon.Try again P1.im of to Australia next week and a friend has promised me a Holden GT.He said we shoud have it here.
Aren’t you even a tad embarrassed to your Australian friend that Malaysians would rather have axia over an iriz? Axia is so unattractive and with less safety features.
Can you enlighten us which aspect of the iriz that left you speechless? And what makes you think the axia is better? Apart from badge snobbery, of course. Thanks.
Because he is a p2 SA!
Lol
Honestly, the Rio is a good car just overprice in Malaysia.
Picanto is another choice if Rio is overprice.
Just Picanto’s look is not as good as this one and smaller in space.
At least who buy pre-facelift won’t get butthurt like Forte owner cause 4 speed transmission still retain..other minor update can retro-fitted at kedai brother’s …so good guy KIA
BORING
macam mana iriz nak jual kat luar kalau perlu bersaing dgn kereta2 mcm ni.. harga lebih kurang sama.