The next-generation Kia Rio will receive styling to match its confidence as the brand’s best-selling vehicle.
The automaker released design renderings of the looming 2017 Rio today, in advance of the model’s world premiere at the Paris Motor Show on September 29. The sad sedans that once populated the back of used car lots are now a distant memory.
For the next-generation Rio, Kia tapped the talent of its U.S., German and Korean design studios for a top-to-bottom revamp of the subcompact hatchback.
If you haven’t noticed, straight lines are back, baby, and the Rio adopts them with enthusiasm. A longer hood and front overhang, flat surfaces, and upright C-pillar give the hatch some swagger, while the restyled front end now belongs in the “angry grilles” category.
Kia doesn’t elaborate much on the model’s content, but does say that the next Rio will contain “class-leading” safety and connectivity features, as well as upgraded handling and sportier ride characteristics.
There’s no mention of an updated drivetrain. Currently, the Rio sports a 137-horsepower direct-injection 1.6-liter four-cylinder.
Production of the Europe-bound Rio begins late this year. The automaker will announce production dates for other markets closer to the launch date.
Kia sold 473,000 Rios around the world last year, but sales slid in the North American market as the model — last updated for the 2012 model year — grew stale.
[Images: Kia Motors]
*facepalm*
Because when I buy an economy car, I want to buy rims & tires that cost only slightly less than the car itself and will dent if I look at them funny.
I thought I was buying the rims and getting the car for free?
It looks like they were about to send the render out and forgot the wheels and made the intern ‘shop them on.
Possibly. I think I have more rubber on my road bicycle.
Come on, guys. As if the renders or protos ever reflect the actual production wheel and tire combos.
Which begs the question: What’s the point of these renders? Every ugly car on the road looks amazing in the fantasy drawing version.
They’re to keep stylists busy and generate excitement on car sites, thats all I can think of.
What percentage of eventual Rio buyers will ever see this render? It’s irrelevant outside of the inner circle of design, who already know it is not indicative of the final product.
So it’s really an insider circle-jerk based on mutually understood bullshit, no?
“What percentage of eventual Rio buyers will ever see this render?”
I think most of them probably don’t have the internets on their Boost Mobile devices.
That body rendering is writing performance checks that the wheezy powertrain wont be able to cash.
When was the last time one of you saw a rendering minus the huge wheels/tires?
Almost all cars have gone with the big wheel big tire ,let the buyer worry about replacement cost route. I think it looks pretty good on the outside sort of the old Audi A3
Krampy Korean Klown Kar. With big klown feets!
Krusty the Klown approved.
Yeah, that pic up there is what they’re selling. This is what you’ll actually get:
http://perisoft.org/rio.jpg
Those wheels look almost normal, that can’t be accurate.
So the “no doorhandles” and “eight inch side windows” can be expected to make production?
Check the top pic – it’s got handles, but only on the passenger side. You have to scootch.
Door handles are an extra-cost option.
Windshield wipers, valve stems, radio antenna and fuel filler cap are available only on the top-of-the-line luxury trim version with the “Enhanced Functionality” option.
Stripper car fans will love the new Rio!
You know, when you say “stripper car fans,” I think that strippers need a car to get to work, and that there might be a few who are kinda into cars. But can only afford a cheap car. So there’s that.
I liked it better when they were cheeky enough to call the hatch/wagon version the Rio Cinco.
Or the lifted crossover version – the Rio Grande.
And, you know, that will probably be their BIGGEST seller.
I like the straight lines, I dont like the cookie cutter front end (seriously thats the best these three studios could do?), roof could be a bit too low on the production model.
Dealin’ in any RWD Volvos lately?
Nah, I’ve sold the rest of my RWD parts but thats about it. Only good local one is a 70s 245 thats a little more costly than the typical Volvo beater.
IIRC those earlier ones have so much to update its a meh unless very clean IMO. I do think they don’t have the biodegradable wiring harness though which is a plus.
That is true, the local one has small patches of rust, fairly clean otherwise but the price is $2600, has idle issues, on the upside the sellers at least picky about buyers (will only sell to Volvo buffs or experienced car guys).
Only other RWD models are a manual 245 for $2100, needs work and has 255k+ miles. A kinda junky 740 Sedan, and a ’94 940 wagon with a dead engine (how they killed a late redblock I dunno).
Of course theres like 3-5 850s with CEL issues.
If you had access to a shop (and the know how to do an engine swap) the 940 wagon may be an interesting pickup.
I’d also look at a manual 245 as a keeper, if I had room. From what I was told, the manual was rare in the wagon (at least in the 86+ period).
Put the 201 hp 1.6 turbo in a Rio SX.
That reminds me, I saw a new hatchback draped in coverings on the street last week. I wasn’t sure what brand it is, as everything was covered up, even the wheelcaps. But it did look vaguely German, and while the front of the car was covered up, when I crossed in front of it, I could see an oval logo through the mesh. It definitely wasn’t a Ford, so I’m thinking it was a Kia.
I snapped a few pictures, it still looks like a Kia to me. Is there a new Forte coming as well? It looked too long to be a Rio.
This actually intrigues, if not dare I say excites me. The Forte is cool, but there’s nothing like a lower curbweight and smaller footprint for driving fun. If they can combine:
– the interior space of the Versa
– the driving dynamics of the Fiesta
– Kia’s current interior/exterior design flair
– current Rio’s pricing
They will have a slam dunk. It could cannibalize the Forte actually. We will see what they do though. If they make a version with an IRS and the 1.6T I may have no choice but to get one. I am really feeling H/K’s potential.
You’re not going to get Versa-class space with that roofline. Trade-offs and choices, my friend.
Guys, relax, it’s an illustration! Sajeev, get in here and tell these people that “door handles”, “rooflines for people *with* necks” and “realistically-sized rims” don’t ooze the slickness required from these depictions?
Look at Tiger Nose! Almost closed-up. Gonna need Breathe Right nasal strips.
Wait, did we decide the last generation Rio was a bad looking car? I thought it was quite decent, especially in hatch form. It just had poor rear visibility and weird bouncy suspension that wasn’t exceptionally comfortable or fun to drive. Also, the plastics the Koreans use still strike me as unpleasantly cheap. But, you know, it looked good, so there was that.
Are you referring to this sputum goblet?
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5KRgbo_B34Y/maxresdefault.jpg
That’s almost as kiddie-car risible as a Fiesta.
So what subcompacts do you consider well designed then? Let’s disqualify the Fit (wonderful as it is), because lots of headroom does not make a car good looking.
No, the outgoing Rio is reasonably clean without being bland. Also, it’s not the Accent – I have no idea what Hyundai was trying for there.
You’re conflating well-designed with your personal opinion of good looking and you disqualified the only subcompact I would’ve enthused about, even in its present denuded config.
I’m goin’ home.
Fine, go full Vellum Venom on me – what’s so wrong with the Rio? It might be the only subcompact to qualify as anything approaching good looking (I include my own beloved little Mazda in there). It’s decently proportioned, neither bland or overwrought, it’s a handsome little car.
I’d still buy a Fit over it without a moment’s consideration (even if it is weird looking), but in discussing the forthcoming Rio’s looks, there was snark over the last Rio’s styling, and that didn’t seem right.
I do like the looks of this Rio. If Kia can keep that low wide stance on the front end and drop a turbo 1.6 to liven things up.
Good effort Kia you might have a winner here.
A “GT” version has been seen in spy shots that apparently has a ~180 HP turbo 1.6L engine.
It gives a better idea of the production car’s proportions and lines than the drawing as well.
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/08/kia-rio-gt-hot-hatch-spied-testing-a-sporty-front-end.html
Let’s hope they do something about the handling. The current model bump-steers so badly you’ll spear off the road if you run over a nickel.
I’m exaggerating of course, but barely. The current Rio looks OK and is cheap and well-equipped, but the suspension setup is atrocious. It’s the worst in the sub-compact segment.
If they put their 1.4L turbo out of the Eco models into this. Wow. Granted they would have to have talent in the handling area which no Kia/Hyundai product even remotely possesses. Oh well
Currently, if you want a Rio, you have to choose between cruise control and a clutch pedal. Kia USA will not sell you a Rio with both. Dunno why, but that knocked Kia straight off my list when I was shopping.
You can get a Forte5 SX with both