Verdict
The Kia Rio UB Facelift costs RM82,383, RM7,002 more than the Kia Rio YB at RM75,381, and its 1.4-litre engine brings 107 hp and 137 Nm against 99 hp and 133 Nm. It also has Tiptronic shifting, four rear parking sensors and a full-size spare. The YB counters with a 325-litre boot, 37 litres more than the UB’s 288 litres, plus a reverse camera and a 45-litre tank. Both are five-door CKD B-segment hatchbacks with a four-speed automatic, front-wheel drive, six airbags and stability control.
Pick the Kia Rio UB Facelift if you want the stronger 107 hp/137 Nm engine, Tiptronic control and a full-size spare.
Pick the Kia Rio YB if you want to save RM7,002 while gaining a 325-litre boot, reverse camera and 45-litre fuel tank.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Rio UB Facelift RM82,383; Kia Rio YB RM75,381.
- Output: Kia Rio UB Facelift 107 hp and 137 Nm; Kia Rio YB 99 hp and 133 Nm.
- Boot space: Kia Rio UB Facelift 288 litres; Kia Rio YB 325 litres.
- Dimensions: Kia Rio UB Facelift 4,045 mm long and 2,570 mm wheelbase; Kia Rio YB 4,065 mm and 2,580 mm.
- Fuel tank: Kia Rio UB Facelift 43 litres; Kia Rio YB 45 litres.
- Parking assistance: Kia Rio UB Facelift four rear sensors and no reverse camera; Kia Rio YB two rear sensors and a reverse camera.
UB Facelift
- 107 hp and 137 Nm from the 1,396 cc engine.
- Tiptronic function on the four-speed automatic.
- Four rear parking sensors and a full-size spare tyre.
- Costs RM7,002 more.
- 288-litre boot is 37 litres smaller.
- No reverse camera.
YB
- RM75,381 price saves RM7,002.
- 325-litre boot and 45-litre fuel tank.
- Reverse camera, ambient lighting and ContiSportContact 5 tyres.
- 99 hp and 133 Nm trail the UB’s 107 hp and 137 Nm.
- Only two rear parking sensors.
- Space-saver spare tyre and no Tiptronic function.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM82,383 | RM75,381✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM70 | RM70 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,396 cc | 1,368 cc |
| Horsepower | 107 hp✓ | 99 hp |
| Torque | 137 Nm✓ | 133 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 77 mm | 72 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 4-Speed Automatic | 4-Speed Automatic |
| Gears | 4 | 4 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | Hyundai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,045 mm | 4,065 mm |
| Width | 1,720 mm | 1,725 mm |
| Height | 1,455 mm | 1,460 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm | 2,580 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,162 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 43 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 288 litres | 325 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/45R17 | 205/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/45R17 | 205/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Continental ContiSportContact 5 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen projector | Halogen Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-Folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 2 front | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 front | 2 Front |
| Audio | Radio with CD, MP3 and AUX, 6 Speakers | 5" Floating Screen with 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used cars for sale
UB Facelift vs YB FAQ
Is the Kia Rio UB Facelift or Kia Rio YB better?
The Kia Rio UB Facelift is better for engine output, Tiptronic shifting, four rear sensors and a full-size spare. The Kia Rio YB is the better practical buy if its 325-litre boot, reverse camera and RM7,002 saving matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Rio UB Facelift costs RM82,383 and the Kia Rio YB costs RM75,381, so the UB Facelift is RM7,002 dearer.
Which Kia Rio has the larger boot?
The Kia Rio YB has the larger 325-litre boot. The Kia Rio UB Facelift has 288 litres, leaving the YB with 37 litres more luggage space.