The first-ever Kia Rio three-door hatchback is now available to order in the United Kingdom.
Brits love small and efficient hatchbacks, and this Rio is like the perfect choice for small families, or the 17-year old who is going to buy his or her first car. Prices start at £9,995 which is not bad for a new car, especially one as loaded and as well-made as this little Korean.
The lineup of two petrol and two diesel engines include the 1.1 CRDi with 74bhp and 170Nm of torque, which returns CO2 emissions of 99g/km or below and fuel economy of at least 74.3mpg. The other diesel 1.4 CRDi delivers 89bhp and 220Nm of torque, with 70.6mpg combined and just 105 g/km of CO2.
The petrol versions include 1.25-litre Kappa with 83bhp and 121Nm of torque, and 1.4-litre Gamma engine, developing 107bhp and 137Nm of torque.
The UK Rio 3-door model line-up and pricing
| Version | Power bhp |
Torque Nm | 0-60 sec |
Top Speed mph |
Comb. mpg |
CO2 | Cost |
| 1.25 ‘1’ | 83 | 121 | 12.6 | 106 | 56.5 | 114 | £9,995 |
| 1.25 ‘1’ Air | 83 | 121 | 12.6 | 106 | 56.5 | 114 | £10,795 |
| 1.1 CRDi ‘1 Air’ EcoDynamics | 74 | 170 | 14.9 | 98 | 78.5 | 94 | £12,095 |
| 1.25 ‘2’ | 83 | 121 | 12.6 | 106 | 55.4 | 119 | £11,895 |
| 1.4 ‘2’ | 107 | 137 | 11.1 | 114 | 51.4 | 128 | £12,495 |
| 1.4 ‘2’ auto | 107 | 137 | 12.7 | 106 | 44.1 | 150 | £13,495 |
| 1,1 CRDi ‘2’ EcoDynamics | 74 | 170 | 15.5 | 100 | 74.3 | 99 | £13,195 |
| 1.4 CRDi ‘2’ EcoDynamics | 89 | 220 | 12.6 | 106 | 70.6 | 105 | £13,595 |
| 1.4 ‘3’ | 107 | 137 | 11.1 | 114 | 51.4 | 128 | £13,195 |
| 1.4 CRDi ‘3’ EcoDynamics | 89 | 220 | 12.6 | 106 | 70.6 | 105 | £14,295 |
Kia Rio 3-door equipments and features:
Rio 3-door is offered in the same four easily understood trim grades – badged ‘1’, ‘1 Air’, ‘2’ and ‘3’ – as the five door version.
Even on entry level ‘1’, standard features include daytime running lights, body-coloured bumpers, door handles and door mirrors, speed-variable front wipers, headlamp levelling, front electric windows, 15-inch steel wheels, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, two-way steering column adjustment on the petrol model (height-adjustable only on the entry level diesel), a tachometer and trip computer, split folding rear seats, a boot light, a 12-volt power socket and an MP3-compatible RDS radio and CD player with USB and AUX ports. Bluetooth is also standard on the petrol entry model, and on all versions with other trim grades.
The ‘1 Air’ grade is for buyers who want the comfort of air conditioning without upgrading to level ‘2’.
The ‘2’ is distinguished by 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights and a chrome radiator grille surround. Inside, there is premium black cloth upholstery, a cooling glovebox, electrically adjustable heated and folding door mirrors with side repeaters, leather trim on the steering wheel and gearshift and a centre console armrest.
The luxurious level ‘3’ specification adds 17-inch alloys with low-profile tyres, LED daytime running and rear combination lamps, automatic air conditioning with auto de-fog, rain sensing wipers, cruise control, automatic projection-type headlights, heated front seats and six speakers instead of four.
