Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the Kia Rio YB’s RM3,559 premium buys a 325-litre boot instead of 288 litres, 17-inch wheels, reverse camera, automatic climate control and keyless push-button start. It is the more useful daily hatchback, despite giving up 8 hp and 4 Nm to the Kia Rio UB. The UB’s 107 hp and 137 Nm make it the stronger choice on paper, and its four rear parking sensors and full-size spare suit longer trips. Both retain a 4-speed automatic, front-wheel drive and six airbags.
Pick the Kia Rio UB if you want the stronger 107 hp/137 Nm drivetrain, a full-size spare wheel and four rear parking sensors.
Pick the Kia Rio YB if you want the larger 325-litre boot plus a reverse camera, automatic climate control and keyless start.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Rio UB RM71,822; Kia Rio YB RM75,381.
- Output: Kia Rio UB 107 hp and 137 Nm; Kia Rio YB 99 hp and 133 Nm.
- Boot space: Kia Rio UB 288 litres; Kia Rio YB 325 litres.
- Wheels and tyres: Kia Rio UB 16-inch alloys with 195/55R16 tyres; Kia Rio YB 17-inch alloys with 205/45R17 tyres.
- Fuel tank: Kia Rio UB 43 litres; Kia Rio YB 45 litres.
- Parking assistance: Kia Rio UB has four rear sensors and no camera; Kia Rio YB has two rear sensors and a reverse camera.
UB
- 107 hp and 137 Nm, versus 99 hp and 133 Nm.
- Full-size spare tyre.
- Four rear parking sensors and Tiptronic control.
- Smaller 288-litre boot than the YB’s 325 litres.
- No reverse camera, front foglamps, automatic climate control or sunroof.
- Manual-key entry and start instead of keyless operation and push-button start.
YB
- Larger 325-litre boot and 45-litre fuel tank.
- Reverse camera, automatic climate control and keyless push-button start.
- 17-inch alloys, front foglamps, auto wipers and a tilt-and-slide sunroof.
- Lower 99 hp and 133 Nm outputs than the UB.
- Only two rear parking sensors, versus four on the UB.
- Space-saver spare tyre instead of a full-size spare, and no Tiptronic function.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM71,822✓ | 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 | 195/55R16 | 205/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 195/55R16 | 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 | 16" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 16" 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 | Manual air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Sunroof | — | 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 | Manual Key | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | 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 vs YB FAQ
Is the Kia Rio UB or Kia Rio YB better?
The Kia Rio YB is better for daily use because it adds 37 litres of boot space, a reverse camera, automatic climate control and keyless start. Choose the Kia Rio UB if its 107 hp/137 Nm output, full-size spare and four rear sensors matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Rio YB costs RM3,559 more than the Kia Rio UB. That extra outlay brings the larger boot, 17-inch wheels, reverse camera, automatic climate control, keyless start and sunroof.
Which Kia Rio has more luggage space?
The Kia Rio YB has the larger boot at 325 litres, a 37-litre gain over the Kia Rio UB’s 288 litres. Its wheelbase is also 2,580 mm, compared with 2,570 mm for the UB.