It’s been weeks since the second quarter of the year has ended, but Naza Kia appears to be finally ready to bring the new Kia Rio into Malaysia. The company has released its first teaser video of the car, adding that the fourth-generation B-segment hatchback is coming soon.
Longer, wider and lower than before, the new Rio sports new, more mature styling, plus a classier interior that is said to be more ergonomic. Interior space has been increased thanks to the larger body and improved packaging, and the boot is also larger despite a shorter rear overhang. Under the skin, there’s a stiffer bodyshell and a retuned suspension system for more stable and responsive handling.
Despite being completely revised inside and out, however, the Rio will soldier on in Malaysia with the same engine and transmission as before – a 109 PS/137 Nm 1.4 litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed automatic gearbox. Kia has said that a five-speed auto is in development, but has yet to confirm a timeline for its introduction, and added that there might be an increase in price.
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Old engine with old 4-speed auto and possibly a price increase?! Is Naza Kia stupid or is Naza Kia stupid? There are many other hatchbacks that are competitively priced and offer a better package, for instance the facelifted Jazz, Mazda 2, Golf, Peugeot 208 turbo.
Proton Iriz, still the Game-changer.
Iriz is the game changer all right. Especially the tag line Betul Betul Onz!
What a great tag line!
They shud have just use new tag line: Rear Axle Kekal Ada.
What is iriz got to do with kia. Bash for nothing
Hyundai Sime Darby, you should drop the Rio line.
That cluster reminds me of VW. I wonder why
I hope they don’t surprise us with Indonesia spec interior…
I hope kia malaysia will bring in the Stonic as well.
2 variants.
Base from RM86,988
High-end from RM99,888
Like that, pipu will run to iriz lor…
Ya right. Still using the old running gears on the new Rio will definitely kill off the model. Who in their right mind would pay Japanese car prices to drive a low specs Korean car? It just doesn’t make any sense Naza?
i am driving in town area 99.9% all the time and hardly i go beyond 4th gear. I don’t need more than 4 gears in the car. Please don’t comment on the low specs. have you seen the specs in the previous RIO before ? Some of the features you can only find in more expensive cars. Some of the japanese cars i know still comes with low specs compared to the RIO.
The only justification for maintaining old powertrains is exceptional economy or performance. The 1.4 and 4spd auto has neither. Anyone who buys this is ignorant…
The exterior design of KIA are top notch but the engine technologies never convinces Malaysians yet to chooses over the Honda City or Toyota Vios.
This type of car must have option of manual transmission or paddle shifters.
Other markets will get a 1.0l Turbo direct injection and 6 speed auto gearbox. Why Malaysia gets the same 1.4l engine 4 speed auto gearbox?
Either Kia does not trust Naza technically to managed new technology or Naza is not technically aware of other car specification here in Malaysia..
i met a current owner who is complaining that it needs more gears. the handling is ok.
4 speed auto cannot sell, better develope 5 speed auto before introducing here. We still remember the first batch Kia Forte is 4 speed auto, later batch 6 speed. First batch owners including some audio journalist regretted buying the 4 speeder. At present only Perodua models, Almera and affordable models have 4 speed.
Even our Iriz have CVT gear box. If this new Rio comes with 4-speed box, it is dead on arrival(john famous word)
Nope it’s BASHER famous word, knowing who always starts the fight first
I’m rather interested in that overly colourful ad
Might as well Naza just throw in the towel & let others run the Kia franchise. Tycoon sons are not interested and too busy with their lives overseas & also wrangled in multi million dollar legal lawsuits.
The rio is really not bad in its class. But that 1.4 is quite loud when you rev it and as well thirsty.