The all-new Kia Rio has gone on sale with prices starting at £11,995.
Now offered in five-door guise only, the latest model features a striking design and more upmarket interior.
The South Korean manufacturer have created the car to go head-to-head against Ford’s mighty Fiesta – a new version of which will be here around late summer – so it needs to impress.
Highlights include a higher quality and more spacious interior, improved infotainment, a new lightweight three-cylinder engine and ride and handling that are claimed to be improved over the current model.
There are 10 versions of the new Rio in five trim grades – 1, 2 and 3 – as well as a limited-run First Edition model sitting at the top of the range.
All models come with air conditioning, electric front windows, keyless locking, electric door mirrors, Bluetooth, 3.8in infotainment screen, auto lights and LED daytime running lights. Safety features include Electronic Stability Control, Hill Start Assist and Vehicle Stability Management.
The next grade up, 2, starts at £13,745 and gains kit including 15in alloy wheels, a DAB radio and larger 5in screen. Rio 3s start at £16,295 and add 16in alloys, a 7in screen, rain-sensing wipers, sat-nav and Apple Carplay/Android Auto to the mix.
Top of the range at launch is the First Edition. It gets 17in alloys, a smart key entry system, stainless steel pedals, black and red faux leather upholstery and LED rear lights. Prices for this start at £17,445.
Headlining the engine range in the new Rio is a new three-cylinder 1.0-litre turbocharged unit, which is tipped to be the best seller. It’s offered in 99bhp or 118bhp power outputs. There’s also a 1.4 litre diesel with 76 bhp or 89bhp, a 1.25 litre petrol with 83bhp and 1.4 litre petrol with 98 bhp.
The new model is 15mm longer with a 10mm longer wheelbase to improve interior space. Kia says ride and handling are both much improved, with the VW Polo the target for the former and Ford Fiesta the benchmark for the latter.
