The fourth-generation Kia Rio is now available to order for leasing from Nationwide Vehicle Contracts with a May delivery date. Having been previewed at last year's Paris Motor Show, showing off high-tech new engines, improved fuel efficiency and emissions, greater space and style and the introduction of state-of-the-art connectivity and driver assistance systems for the first time, the latest Kia Rio offers a great driving experience.
Only available as a five-door model only, the new Kia Rio really is a grown-up small car.
There are 3 trim levels - badged for simplicity as Grade 1, 2 and 3 - with 10 versions - and there is even limited-run First Edition model as the pinnacle of the range, but you can rest assured that all KiaRio Grades are extensively equipped.
Grade 1
Grade 1 is fitted as standard with:
- Air conditioning
- Front electric windows
- Remote locking
- Electrically adjustable heated door mirrors
- A 3.8" display screen
- Bluetooth
- Automatic light control
- Bi-function projection headlamps and cornering lights
- LED daytime running lights
- Body-coloured bumpers
- Door mirror casings and door handles
- Steering wheel-mounted audio controls
- 60:40 split rear seats
- Four-speaker audio system
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)
- Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)
Grade 2
Grade 2 adds in to Grade 1 specification with:
- 15" alloy wheels
- Leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearshifter
- Front and Rear electric windows
- Electric folding mirrors with LED indicator lights
- Digital DAB radio
- 5" colour display screen
- Six-speaker audio system
- Reversing camera and rear parking sensors
- 3.5" premium supervision cluster
- Front and Rear USB charging ports
- Cruise control with a speed limiter
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system
- Lane Departure Warning system
- Chrome trim around the black radiator grille
- Premium black cloth upholstery
- Centre storage box
Grade 3
Additional features on Grade 3 include:
- 16" alloy wheels
- Automatic air conditioning with a defogging system
- Black faux leather upholstery
- 7" display screen
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Rain-sensing front wipers
- Privacy glass on the rear side windows and tailgate
- Satellite navigation
- Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity
- Bluetooth with voice recognition
First Edition Version
At the top-of-the-range, the First Edition version adds:
- 17" alloys
- Smart key entry system
- Engine start/stop button
- Stainless steel pedals,
- Black and red faux leather upholstery
- LED rear lights
Depending on model, the new Rio is available in a choice of seven exterior colours with Sienna Brown being the standard choice, with Clear White as a no-cost option and Satin Silver, Graphite, Midnignt Black, Smokey Blue and Blaze Red as premium options.
Driver Assistance
Autonomous Emergency Braking comes as part of Kia's advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and it makes the new Rio the first car in its class to feature it. It comes as standard from Grade 2 upwards, as does a Lane Departure Warning system.
Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian recognition uses data gleaned from the car's radar and camera to detect sudden and potentially dangerous braking by a vehicle ahead, and activates the brakes. It works at speeds from 5-50mph to bring the car to a complete stop, avoiding any potential collisions with other cars, as well as with any detected pedestrians who may wander into its path.
The Lane Departure Warning system, also uses a camera to recognise road markings, and can tell when the car is veering off course (when indicators aren't used) and will advise the driver via a warning sound.
Right across the range, the new Kia Rio features Straight Line Stability, a new system that helps keep the car straight when the brakes are applied, and Cornering Brake Control, which ensures "asymmetrical brake pressure when slowing in tight curves to counter loss of traction."
Connectivity
With in-car connectivity becoming increasingly important in a world that seemingly needs it, the new Kia Rio offers Kia Connected Services powered by TomTom and featuring Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration as standard on Grade 3 and the First Edition models.
Kia Connected Services with TomTom are accessed through a 7" touchscreen navigation system offering live traffic updates, weather reports, speed camera locations and local point-of-interest searches, and is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay through a suitable smartphone.
Space, Style and Comfort
Having bowed to customer demand in producing only a 5-door version, the new Rio therefore offers plenty of space. And if you add in the new suspension and steering along with a more mature and polished appearance, you can really state that the Rio has grown up.
Taking its lead from the award-winning styling that Kia has originated, the new Rio twists it slightly, with a more slender and wider 'tiger-nose' main front grille that integrates neatly with the new highly sculpted halogen bi-function projection headlights with U-shaped LED running lights.
Straight lines, smooth surfaces and revised proportions and balance give the Rio an adult look, accentuated by the longer wheelbase, bonnet and front overhang, and the more compact back end.
Inside we find increased leg, head and shoulder room, adding to comfort, and a larger boot than before of 325 litres. And that comfort is enhanced thanks to some extensive work on the suspension system.
Safety
When it comes to safety, the driver assistance systems are part of the prevention solution, but if contact does come, the new Kia Rio itself provides stability too.
The body shell is made of 51% advanced high-strength steel compared with 33% in the outgoing car, making it stiffer, enabling the suspension to not have to do as much work as well as reducing car weight.
The stiffer body shell also enhances crash safety by keeping the passenger cell intact in an accident while the front, rear and side crumple zones absorb impact energy.
The front suspension struts have improved rigidity and feature a raised torsion beam; revised springs and shock absorbers improve compliance and comfort; vertical rear shock absorbers and front shock absorbers with advanced new valve technology mean a more consistent response; and a repositioned power steering gearbox improves steering wheel feel. All these combined mean "more immediate handling responses and greater confidence for the driver."
T-GDi engines
Kia's 1.0-litre T-GDi (Turbocharged Gasoline Direct-injection) engines feature in the Rio for the first time and head a seven-strong powertrain line-up that includes revised versions of Kia's 1.25-litre and 1.4-litre petrol engines, and two versions of the European-designed and European-built 1.4-litre CRDi turbodiesel , with improvements in fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions over the outgoing Rio.
All manual versions of the new Rio have Kia's Intelligent Stop & Go (ISG) engine stop-start system
- The 1.0-litre T-GDi engine is available with either 99 or 118bhp, both offering 171Nm of torque. With 99hp you get fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of 62.8mpg and 102g/km, while the 118bhp version offers 60.1mpg and 107g/km. Both are capable of more than 50mpg in city driving, with a top speed of 115mph.
- The lesser-powered, 76bhp 1.4-litre diesel, a new option in Rio, is the most economical of all engines available. Both 1.4-litre diesels have a healthy 240Nm of torque and have CO2 emissions below 100g/km – 92g/km and 98g/km respectively – while fuel consumption figures are 80.7 and 74.3mpg.
- The 1.25-litre petrol engine develops 83bhp and 121Nm of torque, has fuel economy and CO2 emissions of 58.8mpg and 109g/km, and can accelerate from 0-60mph in 12.5 seconds on the way to a top speed of 107mph.
- The final option is a new-to-Rio multi-point injection unit with a capacity of 1.4 litres and power and torque outputs of 98bhp and 133Nm. This engine offers fuel economy of 56.5mpg, CO2 emissions of 114g/km, a 0-60mph acceleration of 11.8 seconds, and a top speed figures of 108mph. This engine is also available with a four-speed automatic gearbox.
Globally, the Rio is Kia's best-seller, with sales close to 475,000 a year, but in the UK it is overshadowed by our love for the Sportage and cee'd. But this new Rio is looking to rekindle our love for the little car that is now all grown up.
Contact one of our Customer Service Representatives to discuss leasing a new Kia Rio from Nationwide Vehicle Contracts.