Kia Rio 2021: exterior update and mild hybridisation

After 20 years on the market, the fourth generation of the Kia Rio receives an update. It is a city car 4 metres long that competes strongly in one of the most crowded segments of the market. In Spain it sells more than 3,200 units a year and it is one of the brand’s main entry-level models, also backed by a seven-year or 150,000 km warranty.

The shape of the new Rio does not change much from the previous edition, although it incorporates some modifications that refresh its image, such as the LED daytime running lights, the new bumpers and the more streamlined front grille. It also gets new alloy wheels in 15, 16 or 17 inches, depending on the trim level. New colours join the palette, such as Perennial Grey metallic and Sporty Blue metallic, bringing the total number of options to seven.

Inside, the new dashboard design stands out, conveying a greater sense of quality and fitting a larger 8.0-inch central screen, as well as a higher-resolution 4.2-inch screen in the instrument cluster. A new interior customisation option is now available, the Sport Pack, which adds a touch of colour to the seat bench, the dashboard and the door armrests. All versions come standard with height adjustment for the driver’s seat and, optionally, for the passenger’s.

Kia Rio 2021: three trim levels

The new Rio is offered in three trim levels: Concept, Drive and GT Line. All of them include alloy wheels, automatic lights, on-board computer, Bluetooth and air conditioning. The Drive trim adds automatic climate control, 16-inch alloy wheels, the UVO Connect navigation system, fog lights and cruise control, among other features.

The GT Line versions have a sportier look, with 17-inch wheels, LED lights, specific bumpers, and a steering wheel, upholstery and pedals with a sporty design. Three equipment packs are offered for each trim level, called Style, Sport and Premium, which enhance and complete the standard equipment.

The UVO Connect system can connect two Bluetooth devices at the same time and is able to pair Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wirelessly. It provides real-time information on traffic conditions, weather, fuel prices and car parks, lets you locate the car from your phone, send navigation routes from your phone, lock and unlock the doors remotely, and warn the driver if the vehicle has been left running or with a door open.

Kia Rio 2021: driving assistance

Among the safety and driving assistance systems it can be fitted with are a forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian, vehicle and cyclist recognition, lane keeping assist, driver fatigue detection, blind spot collision warning and rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist for parking manoeuvres. The lane keeping assist can be activated up to a speed of 180 km/h and uses camera and radar sensors to maintain the distance from the vehicle in front.

It also offers a leading vehicle departure alert, an innovation in this category. When the car is stopped in traffic, it issues an alert if the driver has not noticed that the vehicle ahead has started moving. This helps avoid the possible impatient reaction of other drivers in such situations. It is equipped with six airbags and ISOFIX anchor points for child seats.

Kia Rio 2021: new, more efficient engines

Available with three petrol engine options, it starts from 13,600 euros (not including possible financing discounts). The entry version features the naturally aspirated 1.2 DPi engine producing 84 CV. On the next step up is the 1.0 T-GDi MHEV version in 100 or 120 CV variants, turbocharged and fitted with 48-volt mild hybridisation, which allows it to carry the DGT ECO label.

This 1.0 engine is paired with an electric motor that allows the petrol engine to start, provides extra torque during acceleration and recovers energy during deceleration and braking. The 100 CV variant is available exclusively with a 6-speed manual gearbox with electronically managed clutch, while the 120 CV can also be fitted with the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Both offer three driving modes: Eco, Normal and Sport, which adjust steering, engine and gearshift settings.

The new iMT manual gearbox has a clutch with electronic management, capable of disconnecting the gearbox from the engine, and allows the automatic start-stop system to shut off the engine when the driver lifts off the accelerator before the car comes to a stop. It also cuts the engine when the driver presses the clutch and brake simultaneously to come to a halt. The engine restarts when both pedals are released and the car is put back into gear by the driver, thereby improving fuel consumption (a CO2 emissions reduction of between 8.1 and 10.7 per cent is promised).

Kia Rio 2021: ideal for the city

Given the dimensions and technical characteristics of the new Rio, the model’s natural environment is urban use. At four metres long and with good interior and cargo capacity, it is easy to manoeuvre and moves around the city with ease.

Both the automatic clutch system (on versions with a manual gearbox) and the leading vehicle departure alert are especially useful on congested stretches of road. The steering is very precise and fairly quick, with 2.7 turns lock to lock, while the suspension tuning, which is not especially firm, is suitable for conventional use.

During the first drive of the 120 CV 1.0 iMT we had the chance to test its operation and, according to the data shown by the trip computer, the consumption figures were really low on a mixed city and road route (5.7 l/100 km).

It is barely noticeable that it is a three-cylinder configuration: it vibrates little and is not very noisy. Almost from idle it delivers a good dose of torque and picks up very easily when more power is demanded. Now, with the six-speed gearbox, it allows more relaxed driving, with lower noise levels and more moderate consumption.