Kia’s brand-new Rio small sedan was joined by the hatchback version of the sub compact model named Rio5 at this week’s New York Auto Show. Unlike the four-sedan that received its world premiere in the Big Apple, we got our first taste of the Rio5 at the Geneva Salon in March. The only visible styling changes over the European model, concern the colored turn signals up front and the market-specific trim options inside.
The 2012 Rio5 is available with a 1.6-liter GDI four-cylinder engine with the option of either a six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic. The direct-injection four-pot delivers 138 horsepower, and thanks to the addition of Kia’s ISG start-stop technology, it returns 30 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway.
Kia’s newcomer will be offered with a choice of three trim levels, LX, EX and SX. The base LX includes 15-inch steel wheels with 185/65R15 tires, driver's seat height adjuster, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a four-wheel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), which coordinates the car's ESC and ABS.
Moving up to the EX gets you standard power windows with automatic up/down on the driver's window, Bluetooth wireless technology connectivity with steering wheel-mounted voice activation controls, 60/40 split folding rear seats and leatherette door trim and power door locks with keyless entry.
Finally, the range topping SX trim adds 17-inch wheels with 205/45R17 tires, fog lamps, LED daytime running and rear combinations lamps, dual chrome tip exhaust, outside heated mirrors with turn signal indicators, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, maplight with sunglasses holder, illuminated vanity mirrors, trip computer, cruise control, UVO powered by Microsoft in-car hands-free communication and entertainment system with rear camera display, and chrome-coated accents throughout.
Pricing and availability in the States will be announced at a later date.
*Live Photos Copyright Carscoop / Phil Alex
25 Comments:
Surprisingly, the styling is quite good; inside and out.
This of Fiesta????? Let see prices, if this is less I may pick this. What do you guys think?
nice and clean design, I know most people think the design is a copy from other car makers, but the Japanese always copied the style. the important thing is that it's a good copy.
To above comment: This appears to have more rear seat room than the Fiesta. Also will be more powerful, and likely less expensive and lighter weight.
That rear end needs a rethink - I don't want people to think I'm driving a Golf.
And those headlights need to be toned down, way too large for a small grill like that.
Didn't realize this had LED rear lights...this is areally nice looking little car! not bad kia...not bad at all.
Nice. Kia's designers are turning out nicely styled products.
Yeah Kia certainly heading in the right direction. . they are pretty reliable cars . . A glass roof with blind would be a great option . .
Disagree with Alex completely.... Considering the enormous success and Golf sales numbers, you are clearly in a minority with regards disliking the Golf's styling. Therefore if KIA see fit to copy that style, I think they are onto a winner. Personally I think this is the best looking car Kia has produced to date by a long way and I love the front lights, really makes it stand out. Bravo Kia.
Looks good.
why do ford fanbois think everything looks like the fiesta
This is a toyota fanboi and I am sick of hyundai and kia making better cars then toyotas. Please toyota wake up. We are taking a bad licking here and all we get is duds while the hyundai kia fan bois get the best metal . oh to be a toyota fan boi is very hard when you best car to breg about is as bad a ford pinto
The new Kia Rio 5 is such a amazing car. I see no gaps inside or outside, what I do see is a contempory yet handsome flawless design inside and out. Kia and Hyundai is on such a impressive roll , I like this car so much.
A plus to Kia on this model.
this is what Honda should be making now and not that bazaar looking fit
the interior look decent enough, but the outside looks like a piece of shit!
The front end is hideous. It has been done so many times before (i.e., VW, Audi, Mazda3), but does not work here.
Parked next to a doublewide near you. God this looks cheap!
2012 honda civicParked next to a doublewide near you. God the civic looks cheap when next to this handsome RIO5
Is this really a KIA? I might have to check this out at a KIA dealer. I remember when Honda's used to be made good like this, but that was a long time ago.
Really the cheapest looking interior is that of a 2011 Scion tC. The damn thing looks like scion took a cavalier interior and inserted it in the new tC. Now this car is anther story, well crafted interior and very expensive looking but still priced like a cavalier of ya days.
RIO5 you have a new fan.
Those headlights are beautiful, only a honda or toyota lover would say they were ugly. Jealousy is the only ugly thing for real, OK well also most of the current Honda and Toyota line up. ; ) -
The front end is handsome and to the poster who said it has been done many times by VW, Audi, Mazda3, but does not work here, put on some glasses because your eyes are colored with hate .The whole car look great. KIA Has put together a well balanced design. The headlights yes are big but some how KIA design department show howvery talented they are because they managed to make them look right on the RIO5. KIA designs are pretty amazing and what we used to see from honda before they took on the new American big meets japs ugly style.
I know this is a KIA, but I am amazed at how well executed this RIO hatchback was designed. Just look at how tight the gaps in the sheet metal are around the hood and hood lights. The well balanced design of the head lights that follow the line where the front fender meets the hood is almost a piece of art. truth is this car's redesign is full of well craftsman's ship throughly thought out. The dashboard is almost tuxedo punk rock like with a very handsome lay out but also very edgy with the way the havoc controls are placed. You can see KIA really thought out this car. Well dona KIA .
I can see a lot of college students driving this car assuming the automobile market does not crash if gas prices keep raising till only the rich can afford to drive a car. of cause 30 mpg city and 40 mpg highway will go along way toward helping this car to be affordable. I hope in the not too far future KIA and other automobile makers can get cars to a point where they can achieve say 50 mpg city and 60 mpg hwy . If KIA could do this with out any hybrid tech then the
possibility do seem endless.
KIA is the new Honda that replaced Chevrolet. Hyundai is the new Toyota that replaced ford. Of cause ford is back in the game at the top again too. I do believe Toyota and Honda are at the bottom and cars like this, the ford focus just show how far the Americans and Koreans have passed the Japaneses. Even the new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu is worlds better then any thing Honda or Toyota offers now. Nissan has not made no new bread and butter models I guess like Honda and Toyota they have no ideal what the public wants, so their hanging onto old school models for their life. the smaller Japaneses auto brands are not even on the page no more.
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