Naza Kia has launched the new 2017 Kia Rio – the fourth-generation B-segment hatchback has been redesigned inside and out with a bigger interior, a new engine but a carryover transmission. Available in a single trim level, it’s priced at RM79,888 on-the-road without insurance, nearly RM2,500 cheaper than before. Included is a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.
Designed in Germany and California, the new Rio differs from the rounded bean-like predecessor with a more conventional two-box profile and a longer bonnet. At the front, there’s a thinner and broader “tiger nose” grille with a gloss black cover, flanked by sharper headlights with U-shaped LED daytime running lights.
Meanwhile, the massive lower grille has been made to look more aggressive, and the fog lights pushed outwards to increase visual width. The rear end has been made more upright, and the C-pillar is thinner than on the current Rio. The tail lights are now trapezoidal in shape and feature arrow-shaped LED light signatures. Horizontal lines along the sides – including a strong shoulder line – emphasises the added length.
Inside, the Rio gets a more sculpted cabin, with horizontal lines making it feel wider. The centre console is angled towards the driver and sports a “floating” infotainment system with a five-inch colour display and Bluetooth connectivity, while the button count has been reduced; below it, the climate control switchgear also gets a more ergonomic concave design. There’s a rear USB charger, too.
Interior space has been improved, partly due to a larger body, but also due to clever repackaging such as reprofiled door trims, new headlining materials as well as a revised dashboard design; thinner C-pillars and new door mirrors relocated to the base of the A-pillar also improve outward visibility. Boot space has been increased some 37 litres to 325 litres, despite a shorter rear overhang.
Standard kit includes projector halogen headlights, front and rear fog lights, 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels, keyless entry, push-button start, a Supervision 3.5-inch multi-info display, auto lights and wipers, automatic climate control with cluster ioniser, a sunroof, black fabric upholstery, six speakers and a rear-view camera. Safety kit is the same as before – six airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist and stability control.
Power comes from a 1.4 litre naturally-aspirated Dual CVVT four-cylinder engine – despite the similar capacity, this is a completely different Kappa engine instead of the Gamma mill found before. Maximum outputs are slightly lower before but made at lower revs, standing at 100 PS at 6,000 rpm and 133 Nm at 4,000 rpm. A four-speed automatic transmission sends power to the front wheels.
Under the skin, there’s a stiffer bodyshell (increased use of Advanced High Strength Steel, up from 33% to 51%) and a retuned suspension system, with revised spring and damper rates giving the car improved compliance and comfort at all speeds, as well as more engaging handling. The front suspension struts and crossmember is more rigid, and the rear torsion beam has been raised for improved high-speed stability.
Elsewhere, there are new vertical rear dampers and front dampers with pre-loaded linear valve technology, providing more linear handling and steering response over rough roads; the repositioned power steering gearbox, on the other hand, improves on-centre steering feel. All these improvements are designed to improve handling response and inspire confidence behind the wheel.
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I work for Naza Kia and we wanted to sell this car for RM60k. But MITI told us to price it at RM80k.
I don’t know why the Government wants the rakyat to suffer with more loans.
Maybe Government wants the rakyat to suffer with more loans because they want to FEED MITI
Kia Picanto RM60k only
Come on Naza Kia. With that extra RM20k, why not spec our Kia Rio with features such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) which includes Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection and Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) like in other countries?
RM60k sure sounds like a more realistic price but it would position the Rio in direct competition with the upcoming Myvi and current Iriz.
It’s sad that MITI can dictate prices so plainly to create the illusion of choice for car buyers.
Basically every same segment like vios, city , rio can price at 50k-60k, but that will affect proton & perodua sales. So there must be no non-national car could be lower then 65k. This is a long old story la.
So good trying to sell it at RM60k. really can beat myvi if RM60k. hahaha. But Rm78k is ok enough for me
Four speed auto? Reduced power? Common what market is this car aiming at? The previous one was already massively underpowered ..at least turbocharged 1.0 would be significantly better for this size car.
At least design language is consistent.
VW Polo deglorified. Ha hah
first of all your buying a city car not a sport car. does it really matter that much? how powerful do u want? if u want a powerful car i suggust go for GTR u wont regret dont compare to a city B segment car which is design for city use not for racing .
well this is market for people driving in city and town and getting stuck in traffic jam most of the time. What do you mean underpower ? this is a 1.4 car and not a hot hatch . please do not simply bash . I am driving the car and it’s not underpower with 5 people onboard.
Good value!
Jazz. Best value!
Not going to sell!
I rather go buy a bigger honda city or toyota vios at cheaper price.
This car’s not bad but I really can’t think of a reason to buy at 80k. 1 more think … Naza is brainless, they really have no idea what the mass market wants. They can only gain via AP or luxury cars.
Another Kia new model bites the dust. 4 speed transmission? 1.4l? 80k price tag? Bye bye Rio and Hello Honda City!
Then you better get the Cerato 1.6 K3 @ RM88,888 OTR with insurance instead of Honda City.
Now 2017 July still 4speed gear box ….with RM80K , how to sell…., City V spec after discount almost 80K lah ….
Naza kia gips orso, after discount almost 65K
So Kia Rio finally fill in the vacuum that Vios just left, hail Kia Rio 4AT @ RM80k.
Only small 1.4 car, really need 17 tyre or not
4 speed auto….. Like we’re in the 1960
Yes….. even Proton use cvt.
Lol CVT is aame with 4 speed auto meh?
Irrelevant.
This Kia Rio is a good car by any standard. It sits 4 comfortably & can carry groceries from Tesco for a whole week.
However, the statement – “but a carryover transmission” meaning old 4-speed tranny is a BIG letdown. Is this how Kia/Naza treat its customers?!
Nice wheel. Who want trade in for my Kenari?
Still 4 speeds transmission Naza Kia?? 2017 already….
Hah! Still using Jurassic 4 speed auto????
Kappa more makan minyak than Gamma. Output is also shit, at least 120 hp lah.
my 1.8 HRV used 16″ wheels only..hahaha
Evry1 bought HRV and CRV. Who’s gonna buy P1 Boyue, habislah P1
Different segment
Please Kia, bring in Stonic as well.
anti-climax when i read it’s only 100bhp with 4 speeder.
if you stare at the center console long enuf, ..it looks like ET…with the 2 eyes wide open.. hack its 2 movies in 1. i sense the designers are cooky little fellows..
Rubbish car. That radio panel looks like they took it put from a 1990 KIA and reused it here.
Lousy engine and handling.
Freaking ugly. And its a KiA. Only really stupid ppl willl buy this car.
Jazz Hybrid is a way better buy.
Handling? You test drove it already ?
i think only stupid people make that comment. i mean there is no sense (as always when you bash with no reason) with whatever you said, not contributing any facts . Jazz hybrid is using different technology so the least you can do is compare something with the same technology. i can say maybe Tesla is much better than the jazz hybrid. Handling is so much better, sleek and sporty compared to the Jazz hybrid.
lousy engine and handling?
as far as concern, all the review i watch about this car, they give great comment about Rio comfort ability and quiet cabin. and its way stable than jazz. only the engine performance Jazz is way better
ugly?
its european kinda look, well if you dont like it, its because you just stick to jazz design.
Kia??
Kia consider higher market sale compare to honda in terms of world production. just in Malaysia Kia is a bit low sale.
from your comment, all i can say that, you bought the Kia car from the last model and having a lot of trouble..or??
you just love honda jazz very much…
that infotaiment system looks aftermarket and sticks out like a sore thumb….. yuck
Better buy a second hand Honda Accord with 80k…..Lots of luxury, safety feature and items and plenty of power too….
4 speed auto box is sooooooooooo outdated. It is more useless than a paperweight.
the reduced power output is likely in hopes of improving emissions ratings and fuel efficiency over the outgoing model.
globally speaking, these aspects are more important than outright power and Malaysia is a tiny market from a global standpoint. You’ll find much larger cars with around the same output in Europe, for instance.
for a relatively small market it’s unlikely they would setup another production line to meet M’sian configuration demands.
But seriously though, these aren’t hot hatches so why all the racket about power figures? Unless you’re one of those Myvi drivers who think they’re in a rally stage on public roads.
These are sensible city cars, drive it like one.
Except they guzzle gas like mad esp. in city. ~10km/l? 4 meters long, city car? Axia is a city car, this ain’t one son.
a city car is not based on the length lar…it’s more on the segment eg A segment , B segment.
Oh man the interior infotainment screen so freaking small. Other countries got the bigger size and with 2 tone interior coloured dash. Why here all with lousy spec…
This type of car must come with a manual option!
P1 bash, P2 bash, KIA bash, Hyundai bash, Toyota bash, Honda bash, VW bash – the negative comments in PT’s forums always over weights the positive comments. Most of it bashing for the sake of hatred. If you’re trying to get a car by reading all these comments/opinions, no car is worth buying.
Ugly dashboard. The MiD screen does not seem to fit the dashboard, it look thats someone just hang it there.
Good value for money and far better buy than Proton Suprima.
Different segment, size, features etc
1.4L NA / 100hp RM 80,000
Mabok ketum ke apa ?
This car very value for money for sub 80k..Great look great space thanks to bigger dimension and don’t forget decent safety equipment and other kits like sunroof althought not really useful just a plus selling point..Downsize is Naza Kia why bringing underpowered engine?? I thought they could bring 1.6 with 6 speed auto or more punchy 1.0 tgdi like europe rio…What a letdown..If are a person that want a something different from the others why not give a try on Rio..
4 speed auto…wow…oh…wow
They just have to ruin it with that UGLY infotainment system!!
Slap on apple carplay/android auto and replace with 6 speed 1.6 engine confirm sell like pisang goreng
When you say 4-speed auto, in my mind is the top-selling sedan: Perodua Bezza.
This one will be RM30k selling a year later
this car cannot sell…
Funny when everyone keep on rumbling about 4 speed and slow performance when our weather cant cope with high tech stuff. 4 speed might sound old but they cost less to repair and reliable as tank.
So much logic fail.
That’s true. I just can’t figure out why people keep complaining about having 4 speed. i mean if you are driving in city and town area 99.9% of the time and stuck in traffic you can’t even use higher than 4th gear.
The center console of this car are worse than Kancil. I so wish that there is a full spec that have a better center console. Sadly there wasn’t. Kia like to master car look from the outside, how about inside?
I am digging the retro dashboard look, and the blackish interior.. Looks nice, but pricey
I am digging the retro dashboard look, and the blackish interior.. 1.4 is okay as it is not for racing drivers.. Looks nice, but pricey
test drove it, worst acceleration, no power. handling was so so only. there was delayed response when you full throttle it. In postive side, I like the build in material and the workmanship. Otherwise, the car really not worth rm80k at all
Wow great looking! I think 79k is reasonable! Well done Kia!
I love that red colour kia rio.
4 speed is okay la, fuel efficiency. less gearbox problem also. suitable for me.hahaha
How can 4 speed is fuel efficient? This car only setup to look nice outside, nowhere near fuel efficiency. The small 1.4 NA engine + 4speed + 17 rim + heavy kerb weight not only underpowered but also will consume more fuel.
Fuel Economy: 12.2 km/litre (8.2 L/100 km), RON97, Mileage: 3,000 km/month
It’s impressive that you are getting thoughts from this post as well as from
our argument made here.
i brought this car at 69,888 with 10k rebate. the interior and exterior are supreme. I dont get it why lot of people complaining about this car. i able to speed up till 160km/h, and stability are excellent.120 to 140km/h cornering no problem. Only the cons i can comment are 3rd gear take a bit longer to gear 4 will feel underpower. 69k for this car is consider worthy, kia is my 1st choice.
Hi Tan, how did you get a 10k rebate? I would like to purchase this car. 70k is a really good deal :)
In the states (Redline Review), this car comes with 1.6 lire coupled with 6 speed autobox.
That tiny screen panel is this year’s funniest car joke
berapa lama pemandu fokus pada infotainmen display semasa memandu? display besar dan berwarna warni bkn keutamaan sebab pemandu wajib 110% fokus pd pemanduan, utk saya, ia mencukupi seadanya, yg penting ada connection dgn hp via bt.