Kia Rio X-Line

Kia Rio X-Line at a glance

The X-Line took the hatchback of the fourth-generation Rio built for Eastern Europe and China (factory code FB, also UC) and gave it a taller stance. Kia raised the suspension, added black wheel-arch and sill cladding, silver-look skid plates, roof rails and a twin-pipe exhaust finisher. The car was shown first as the Kia KX Cross at Auto Shanghai in April 2017; the X-Line followed in October 2017 and went on sale in mid-November.

This Rio differs from the European Rio of the same years. The European car (code YB) is 4,065 mm long and was built in South Korea; the FB hatchback is longer and was developed with the Chinese K2. For the Rio family as a whole, see the page on the third-generation Kia Rio and the history of Kia.

Kappa and Gamma petrol engines

Both engines are naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol units with multi-point injection, 16 valves, twin overhead camshafts and a timing chain. The 1.4-litre G4LC from the Kappa family has dual variable valve timing and a variable-length intake manifold. The 1.6-litre G4FG belongs to the older Gamma family, which Kia updated for this generation with new camshafts and pistons and a variable intake system.

Each engine came with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. Power always goes to the front wheels.

Acceleration, top speed and fuel figures are the factory data published at launch. In the mixed cycle the 1.6 automatic uses about 6.8 l/100 km, or roughly 35 mpg US. The 1.6 is the better match for the automatic, because the 1.4 loses almost a second to 100 km/h with it. Divided by the kerb weights, the 1.4 carries about 15–16 kg per kW and the 1.6 about 13–14 kg per kW, a gap you can check for any pair of cars in the power-to-weight calculator. A yearly fuel bill for either engine takes a minute in the fuel cost calculator.

Size, cabin and boot

The X-Line is 4,240 mm long, 1,750 mm wide and 1,510 mm tall, which makes it 175 mm longer, 25 mm wider and 60 mm taller than the Rio hatchback it was derived from. Ground clearance is 170 mm, about 20 mm more than the standard car. From 2019 Kia fitted new springs and 16-inch wheels; according to the old 1cars text, the top Premium version then reached 195 mm.

Inside, the dashboard is the Rio's, with a centre screen of up to 7 inches, round analogue dials and a small trip-computer display. The rear bench splits 60/40 but does not fold flat, and the floor hides a full-size spare wheel. Two adults sit comfortably in the back; the centre passenger has a tall floor tunnel to deal with. Higher trims added rear air ducts and heated rear seats.

Chassis and the 50% high-strength body

The platform uses MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear, with anti-roll bars at both ends and electric power steering. Front brakes are ventilated discs; lower trims have rear drums, upper trims discs all round. According to the old 1cars text, high-strength steel makes up about half of the body, against 13% in the previous Rio.

Comfort, Luxe, Prestige AV and Premium

Four trim levels were offered: Comfort, Luxe, Prestige AV and Premium.

• Comfort: front airbags, ABS, stability control and hill-start assist, tyre-pressure monitoring, air conditioning, electric windows, heated electric mirrors, roof rails, a four-speaker audio system and 15-inch steel wheels.
• Luxe: adds LED daytime running lights, fog lamps and cruise control.
• Prestige AV: a 7-inch touchscreen with six speakers, side and curtain airbags, rear disc brakes, a front armrest, projector headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, a light sensor and a reversing camera.
• Premium: LED tail lights, artificial-leather seats, keyless entry with push-button start and built-in navigation.

Kia also fitted mud flaps, extra underbody anti-corrosion treatment and a larger washer-fluid tank as standard. No official euro prices exist, because the car was never sold in the EU.

Safety equipment and crash tests

The X-Line was not tested by Euro NCAP or any other independent body. Its safety kit includes ABS with brake-force distribution, stability control linked to the steering (VSM), hill-start assist, emergency-stop signalling, tyre-pressure sensors and a built-in emergency-call system. Front airbags are standard; side airbags and curtains came with the Prestige AV and Premium trims.

What to check on a used Rio X-Line

Both engines use timing chains, so there is no belt change to budget for. A buyer should still check a few things that matter on any car of this type:

1. The service history, with oil changes at the intervals Kia specified.
2. The automatic: it should shift smoothly, without jolts, when cold and when warm.
3. The rear brakes on lower trims: drums need adjusting and can be overlooked at services.
4. The cladding and sills: scrapes show whether the car has been used off the tarmac.
5. The underbody and the spare-wheel well for corrosion, despite the factory treatment.

Rio X-Line against raised hatchbacks and SUVs

The X-Line was the best finished of these cars and had the most complete safety kit in its top trims. The Duster and the Creta offered all-wheel drive and more clearance, so they suit owners who leave the road. You can line up the figures in the 1cars comparison tool.