When the latest Kia Rio was launched in Malaysia last year, it was saddled with a carryover four-speed automatic transmission, but even before that, the South Korean carmaker said that it was working on a gearbox with more ratios. That has come to fruition today, as local distributor Naza Kia has announced the availability of the fourth-generation YB model with a six-speeder.
The new transmission is paired to the same 1.4 litre naturally-aspirated Kappa MPI four-cylinder engine as before, producing 100 PS at 6,000 rpm and 133 Nm at 4,000 rpm, and it retails at the same RM78,888 on-the-road inclusive of the sales and service tax (SST) and without insurance. Included in the list price is a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.
Naza Kia also took the opportunity to revise the specs of the B-segment hatchback – it now comes with cruise control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and a Blind Spot Detection System (BDS) that the company says is the first in the segment. To fit all these items at the same price, something had to give, so the stylish 17-inch alloy wheels on the outgoing model have been replaced by 16-inch units, and there’s also no sunroof.
Otherwise, standard equipment is identical and includes projector halogen headlights with LED daytime running lights, front and rear fog lights, keyless entry, push-button start, auto lights and wipers, automatic climate control with cluster ioniser, black fabric upholstery, six speakers, a rear-view camera, six airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, stability control and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
GALLERY: 2017 Kia Rio 1.4 EX in Malaysia
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in euro, the Rio bested 2 of the most respected cars in its class, VW Polo & Mazda2
I am choosing either tha Rio or Mazda 2 mid spec. Have driven the M2 the handling is superb. Have yet to test the Rio
Please reduce price by 50%.
Cant afford dont complain. Get an Axia or Picanto instead.
Typical Msians. Owez harping on subsidi, bantuan & tuanan.
you mean typical melayu.
Betui
Learn from koreans, support local car. Get Iriz
Learn how not to be lazy?
Sorry, can’t do
Why just stop at 50% ask 90% discount la.
Ok. Thanks:)
Must as well you ask them to give you the car for free. Pakai lah otak sikit sebelum comment.
Free? Good idea:)
Cannot
The real game changer! Habislah Honda Jazz & Myvi! KIA will be great again!
Look like european, price like european but sadly it’s… Korean
Reliability like european as well.
I agree with your statement
More reliable than your japanese
If you never driven a new Korean car, then don’t simply comment. They can give the Japs a run for their money, especially Toyota.
Toyota? Toyota r deathtraps in our ASEAN region.
Ouch to those current owner
Kia’s on a roll. Now waiting for Hyundai to catch up.
Buy iriz better!
Why early buyers always get the worse deals
This is called improvement ma. one year already.
Still under power..
Want power get stinger la
True, but that applies to everything in the segment. at least now with more gear ratios, it would be less apparent. And probably get better mileage to boot.
When I spoke to the salesman previously, he said the new Kia Rio will use the exact same infotainment as Picanto which supports Android Auto & Apple carplay. Is it true?
Strong body but with a small output engine .
Still using old 1.4 Kappa engine ( No engine advancement by Korean for almost 10 year now) — really under power engine and perhaps heavy on fuel consumption too.
Same old recipe By Kimchi just that extra dosage of Kimchi added only
give a manual transmission should be a fun car. unfortunately no such option.
Why no 7 inch touchscreen with AA\AP?
No supercharged or turbo engine like VW or honda civic. so don’t want to buy. at least la, put in LED headlights.
they told me there will be larger infotainment screen, why it’s still the same?
My 3days old Kia Rio 2018 FULLY IMPORTED engine defect, flapping sound (they dont know due to what) and key chain sound (due to using RON95, they said the car is designed for RON97) from the engine or gearbox. Reported the case since 8/1/19 until now, no solution nor how they wanna fix this. Im aware KIA Motors Corp already got my case file.
KIA MALAYSIA Careline staff, Puan Labilah told me “currently our principle is busy with system upgrading, your car still can drive rite? If you wanna bring it to consumer affairs, thats your rights.” Ok, i will do that, Thanks.
So, if ur car still can drive, then u r not priority and ur case will be sitting on shelf somewhere. Manufacturing defect due to QC issue in Korea, not priority. If defects due to wear and tear, next year, I assume.
If u wanna buy Kia Rion 2018 6 speed and u wanna pump RON95, buy other cars unless u wanna enjoy key chain sound while driving. IT IS DESIGNED this way!
Kia Motors Worldwide Quality Control in seriously in question. A brand new imported car with engine defects, along come with other sounds.
Sorry for the delay.
Kia replaced my engine after 8months, with the help from MPV Batu cave. They shipped the engine from Korea. Now I’m happy. The knocking sound due to pumping RON95, after engine replacement, same issue still occurs, but after SC reset my system and I recalibrate base on driving style, with the continue pumping of Petronas RON95, I can say hardly hear the knocking sound now! I’m a happy Kia Rio 6speed owner now!
Has alexloh problem (he commented Mar 01, 2019 at 2:17 pm) been resolved?
Sorry for the delay.
Kia replaced my engine after 8months, with the help from MPV Batu cave. They shipped the engine from Korea. Now I’m happy. The knocking sound due to pumping RON95, after engine replacement, same issue still occurs, but after SC reset my system and I recalibrate base on driving style, with the continue pumping of Petronas RON95, I can say hardly hear the knocking sound now! I’m a happy Kia Rio 6speed owner now!
Kia made a mistakes when they launched the car with 1.4 underpowered mated to a 4AT, small HU screen, no padding on door arm rest, with that price point, people have various other model to choose from, hence Kia should be more precise and careful when making desicion what to put in their cars in our market (nobody really make decision on buying a car on a Sunroof alone, and just who really use it anyway?), not to mention their reputation and rv in our country, especially in a very competitive b segment hatchback market.
Not much of interest shown since new Rio has been in the market despite getting a lot of media attention. Two years after launch they upgraded to 6AT along with new HU i guess, however damage is done, most potential buyer have gone to competitors.
I guess lesson this a to be learn by Kia Malaysia, in fact, they should have learn from UMW Toyota case as before, (they can’t even get their position back even after much effort to fix the damage they had done), and the damage are worse to Kia since their sales numbers are low to even begin with.
Anyway, now, with 6AT alone, it is a much better car to drive now, hope you regain your customers’ trust back, cheers.
Sorry for the delay.
Kia replaced my engine after 8months, with the help from MPV Batu cave. They shipped the engine from Korea. Now I’m happy. The knocking sound due to pumping RON95, after engine replacement, same issue still occurs, but after SC reset my system and I recalibrate base on driving style, with the continue pumping of Petronas RON95, I can say hardly hear the knocking sound now! I’m a happy Kia Rio 6speed owner now!