Kia Rio

Kia Rio 3 at a glance

The Rio is Kia's smallest mainstream car in Europe, positioned below the Kia Ceed. The third generation won two car-of-the-year awards in its first year on sale. Kia's story is told in the history of Kia, and its range, from the Kia Soul to the Sportage, is in the Kia catalogue.

European engines

All European engines except the smallest petrol use a six-speed manual gearbox. A four-speed automatic was offered with the 1.4 petrol in the five-door. In the United States, the Rio used a 1.6-litre GDI petrol engine with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox.

Fuel economy and ISG stop-start

The 1.1 CRDi was the most economical Rio: it emits 85 g/km of CO₂ and achieves up to 88 mpg (UK) on the EU combined cycle, about 3.2 litres per 100 km. Kia's Intelligent Stop & Go (ISG) system, which switches the engine off when the car is stationary, was optional on almost all trims and engines, with the exception of the 1.4 CRDi.

Design and bodies

The third Rio was designed at Kia's studio in Irvine, California. The three-door hatchback was sold only in Europe, alongside the five-door hatchback and the saloon. According to the old 1cars text, the saloon has angular headlights, boomerang-shaped lights below them, an air intake between the fog lights and rear lights with LED elements after the facelift; 16-inch wheels fit in the arches.

Interior and equipment

The old 1cars text describes a practical, rational cabin with a small central display, a trip computer below the instruments, soft-touch plastics at the front and well-lit dials. Depending on version and market, equipment included a height-adjustable driver's seat, a heated steering wheel, heated washer jets, automatic high beam and a split-folding rear seat back. The glovebox holds 10.7 litres, and the rear bench seats two adults comfortably, with three possible for shorter trips.

The 2015 facelift

The facelifted Rio went on sale in Europe in January 2015. According to the old 1cars text, the update brought subtle changes to the front end, new rear lights with LED elements, new wheel designs, chrome door trim, new colours and minor interior updates such as revised door panels and new cup holders.

Euro NCAP and ANCAP results

Awards

The third-generation Rio won Semperit Irish Car of the Year in November 2011 and the Australian CarsGuide Car of the Year in December 2011.

Rio sales during the UB years

These figures cover all Rio models sold in each market in those years. Global Rio sales reached 466,826 in 2012 and 466,573 in 2015.

Kia Rio 3 in the United States

In North America the third-generation Rio was sold as a five-door hatchback and a saloon with a 1.6-litre GDI direct-injection petrol engine, paired with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox. US sales of the Rio peaked at 40,742 in 2013 and fell to 28,700 in 2016, the last full year before the fourth generation arrived. In South Korea, sales declined each year from 16,380 in 2012 to 4,158 in 2016.

Successor

The fourth-generation Rio (YB) was presented at the Paris Motor Show in 2016 and replaced the UB from 2017. During the changeover year of 2017, European Rio sales reached 70,309, the highest figure of the period, while global Rio sales fell from 445,404 in 2016 to 252,327 in 2017. With the new generation, the Rio remained Kia's entry model in Europe, positioned below the Ceed hatchback and estate range.

Rivals: how the Rio compares

The Rio 3 competed with superminis such as the Volkswagen Polo, the Ford Fiesta and its sister model, the Hyundai Accent. Its strengths are five-star Euro NCAP safety, very low CO₂ emissions with the 1.1 CRDi and a choice of three bodies. According to the old 1cars text, its weaknesses are limited side support in the front seats and limited space for three adults in the rear.