2018 Rio
The latest Kia Rio hatchback was revealed at the Paris Motor Show last year, but it has taken until now for the covers to be pulled off the sedan variant. Larger and more refined than before, the new B-segment four-door will go on sale in the United States later this year.
It certainly looks more attractive than its rather ungainly predecessor, with a longer front end, a flatter beltline, a lower rear deck and a shorter rear overhang contributing to more balanced proportions. The front end is shared with the hatch, with sweptback headlights flanking a closed off “tiger nose” grille, along with fog lamp enclosures that have been pushed outwards.
Moving towards the side of the car, a strong shoulder line visually lengthens the car, while a C-pillar appliqué gives the illusion of a longer glasshouse. At the rear, there are trapezoidal tail lights and a black rear valence with diffuser-like fins. One downside is that in the US, the Rio will ride on smaller 15-inch wheels even on the range-topping EX model, rather than the 17-inch rollers found in other markets.
2018 Rio
The dimensions go some way towards explaining the lengthened, widened look – it’s now 15 mm longer at 4,384 mm, and the wheelbase has also been stretched by 10 mm to 2,581 mm. The car is now lower and wider, too, mirroring similar developments on the hatch.
Inside, the Rio Sedan is pretty much identical to the hatch, with a horizontal dashboard design that enhances the overall sense of width. Kia says that the interior features upgraded materials and improved ergonomics, as well as redesigned front seats with a slimmer design but more cushioning and padding to minimise fatigue on long journeys.
Of course, being longer and wider, it’s also roomier, with Kia claiming best-in-class space. Both front and rear passengers benefit from increased leg- and shoulder room, and despite being lower, front occupants also get more headroom, thanks to a new headliner material. Reprofiled door cards and a reshaped dashboard also free up extra space. The boot remains tiny, however, measuring just 388 litres – a litre less than before.
2018 Rio 5-Door
In terms of infotainment, the Rio Sedan is available in the US with Bluetooth hands-free functionality, six speakers and a reverse camera, with the EX also gaining a UVO3 infotainment system with a seven-inch floating touchscreen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Safety-wise, the Rio comes with six airbags, ABS, stability control and hill-start assist, and is also available with autonomous emergency braking (AEB). Kia is targeting a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS).
In the US, the Rio gets just one choice of powertrain – an updated 130 hp/161 Nm 1.6 litre direct-injected four-cylinder engine. A six-speed manual or automatic transmission sends drive to the front wheels. Kerb weight is 1,201 kg for the manual model and 1,231 with the auto.
Under the skin, there’s MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle as before, but the geometry has been completely revised for more agile handling and improved ride comfort; there’s also a revised spring and damper setup for increased compliance and comfort. As standard, the car comes with 11-inch disc brakes up front and drum brakes at the rear, with the EX gaining 10.3-inch rear disc brakes.
Meanwhile, the structure uses advanced high strength steel for improved rigidity, durability and collision performance, while body sealing and bonding adhesives dampen sound pathways throughout the construction, reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).
Closer to home, the Kia Rio hatchback is coming to Malaysia in the second quarter of this year with a carryover 1.4 litre engine and four-speed automatic transmission, although there’s no indication of whether the sedan will also make it here.
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- 2018 Rio 5-Door
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Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
side profile remind me of the 90s, e.g. wira era.
Looks old outdated design like Gen2 Persona rear butt design. Pathetic Kia.
Gen 2 is the most beautiful car designed by Proton. Period
Quite true. Even others copying it, like BMW & mesidis
Amazing how working hard produces a great company. Kia is a very young company and yet, they sell millions of cars globally.
It pays to be hardworking and not lazy.
Kia is not a young company, Tesla yes..
Stop giving wrong information, people can google itself
I seriously think that Kia have assigned a new inexperienced designer to pen their latest batch of cars. KIA have taken a couple steps backwards in terms of their designs because their new cars are looking like what Korean cars looked like in the 90’s! Why is this happening? Can’t the chief designer Mr. Peter (KIA CEO) distinguish a good design from a bad one? All their latest offerings including the GT leaves a bitter after taste as far as car design goes. Come on KIA, you have paved the way for a bright future for KIA. Now don’t screw it up!
Can you elaborate little more in detail which part looks like 90s?….
One of the best looking b-segment car in the market. If you ever compares it to any current brand on the road now?
Agree. If they bring in the 1.6 with 6-speed, it will be the BEST in the segment especially with 6-airbags, ABS, stability control, hill-start assist & autonomous emergency braking (AEB). I will trade-in my older Rio too.
Sack the designer! Oh wait… kimchi overlord…
Should have hire Proton designer to design Kia’s car
Yup. At least got originality instead of cloning mish mash of a few brands.
As far as I know the present design of KIA’s cars are heavily influenced by VAG. Those KIAs of yesteryear are more like mix and match starting from Japanese in Sephia, Spectra and the first Station wagon Rio. The subsequent Rio more like a mix of certain French/ Italian with Japanese design. Your generalize comment on current KIA emulating the old Korean car of 90’s is really uncomprehending.
…6 speed manual and auto transmission…kat situ, smpai mampos pon 4-speed auto je krg dpt
I have no problem with my 4 speed Rio. Still can cruise at 140 Kph without any fuss on my weekly trip KL to Ipoh.
So damn ugly. Korean car cannot make it . Engine wise and design all lousy.
Said by the guy who smile looking at his myvi everytime he wash his car….
Even Perodua is better than KIA . Korean cars cant make it
look like Kia recycle the design especially tail light…
If the Saga is in the B-segment, this is how it might looks like. Looks like Kia is attempting to imitate VW’s concept of simple design.
At least KIA or Hyundai able to conquer North America market…Proton???
Conquer? Please define.
wording change a bit. “conquer” change to “penetrate”.
Don’t la Hantam/Whack my fren john like that. Hehehe.
Pls elaborate.
Are New Yorkers laughing or crying?
saga korean version