Kia Rio has consistently been among Kia Motors’ best-sellers and was their biggest-selling model globally in 2014 with a total of 491,613 units sold. First launched in Malaysia in 2013, the Kia Rio has sold more than 3,200 units to date. Now for 2015, Naza Kia Malaysia brings the enhanced Rio 5-door into our local market.
The Rio 5-door gets updated designs that add visual width and stronger presence. The revised front grille insert is broad with a large air intake and two matte silver bars on front fog light housing for a more muscular look. Likewise, the rear is contoured with restyled reflectors. There are also newly designed 17-inch alloy wheels that complements the overall look.
Kia’s signature ‘Tiger Nose’ twin tab radiator grille features a geometrical lattice pattern that sets off the Rio 5-door’s stylish profile along with projection-type lenses and LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL). Its automatic electric folding mirrors are aerodynamically sculpted with LED side repeaters while at the back, its LED rear combination lamps improve visibility and brightness. The new projection-type front spot-lights are mounted low for maximum penetration in foggy conditions.
When entering the cabin of the Rio 5-door, buyers will be able to find high glossy black finishing on centre fascia and gear console. The horizontal instrument panel sports a new design and more refined and easier to use. The audio’s design has been simplified and will be less complicated to use as well.
The Rio 5-door comes with a tilt and telescopic steering wheel with audio and hands-free functionality, push start ignition, and an audio system with 6-speakers as standard features. Besides Bluetooth, Auxiliary and USB connectivity, the audio system also comes with 860MB of memory to store MP3 music and phone book.
Other cool features available include a sunroof, a supervision meter cluster with a trip computer, auto air-conditioning with cluster ionizer and auto defog system, and rain sensor on the front windscreen that will automatically activate the front wipers when the sensors detect rain.
Underneath its hood, the Rio 5-door is powered by the similar powertrain found in the previous generation Rio; Kia’s Gamma 1.4 MPI DOHC Dual CVVT Engine which produces 109 PS and 137 Nm of torque, mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission with a shift gate for manual-style gear shifting.
There’s an array of safety features installed in the Rio 5-door. Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist System (BAS), Rear Parking Sensors, Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), rear ISOFIX lock-in child seats, as are a host of front, side and curtain airbags are all standard safety features.
Available in Deep Blue, Signal Red, Clear White and Bright Silver, the on-the-road price of the Kia Rio 5-door is RM79,080. This is the same price as the previous model and the price is inclusive of GST and insurance.
