It’s the best selling model in the range for Kia in Australia but it’s also the oldest and finally it seems the Kia Rio, called Pride in Korea, is about to get a revamp.
The revisions have already surfaced on Korean websites and the most extensive details have surfaced on blog site Kia World including Korean screen shots of the interior of the Korean market models.
Styling updates bring the car a whole new front fascia design, that incorporates the now trademark Peter Schreyer grille, and enhancements made to the interior.
Called Kia Pride in South Korea, the current Rio has been on the market since 2005, and has been one of the top five selling Kia cars globally. Now, roughly four years after its introduction, the Light Car segment Rio receives a much-needed facelift.
The revised Kia Rio gains a host of changes and upgrades outside and inside. The sheet metal updates up front include a completely redesigned front fascia with different front bumper and signature grille.
The combination of a redesigned front bumper, which incorporates larger air-intake and updated fog-lights, and Kia’s new H-shaped signature grille give Rio more character and more distinctive exterior look.
The whole exterior set up now looks much more attractive and a lot closer to the latest Kia offerings.
As for the interior, the Rio facelift packs a subtly revised centre stack with new controls and upgraded audio system with Bluetooth connectivity.
It also features new steering-wheel design and slightly updated gauges on the instrument panel.
The Kia Rio is expected to go on sale domestically in Korea next month, while Australian sales should begin by the end of this year.
Updates inside include a completely redesigned, three-spoke multifunction steering-wheel, revised centre stack with new audio system, redesigned instrument clusters with new orange-red lightning, new climate control knobs. There’s also a trip computer and a few other details such as aluminium pedals and redesigned headrests for the front seat.
In addition to styling updates, Kia Pride/Rio also gets revised diesel and petrol engines for the domestic market.
Information on the engines in the revised Rio indicates that they are more fuel efficient than in the past. Whether the diesel option will be offered in Australia remains to be seen but Kia could be innovative and offer it
