The latest Kia Rio is a subcompact car that is manufactured by the South Korean automaker. As unveiled by Malaysia’s local distributor Naza Kia, the Kia Rio now enters its 4th generation and will build on the outgoing model’s key strengths which are sporty design, low running costs and good practicality.

Naza Kia has introduced this amazing car in its upgraded version with only one variant, the Kia Rio 6-AT. It has a retail price of RM 79,888.

The measurements are 4,065 mm length, 1,725 mm width, 1,460 mm height, and weigh 1,162 kg with a wheelbase spanning 2,580 mm.

The Kia Rio 6-AT exudes a sleek and sporty exterior that has a distinctive front layout. The centre-positioned Kia badge is set against a scalloped design hood and paired with the trademark design that is the tiger-nose radiator all-black grille. It also gets integrated with black cladding finish fog lights located at both corners of the bumper and a minimalist style black diffuser at the bottom.

At the rear, the Rio 6-AT gets a simple, non-cluttered design. It gets a slim roof-edge spoiler and large wraparound tail lamps. The rear bumper gets a clean-cut look, paired with slit-like fog lights integrated into a black diffuser that commands the whole lower bumper.

It gets a pair of sharp and slim angular-shaped projector headlamps paired with U-shaped LED daytime running lights and static bending light. The sharp design gives the front a more focused and athletic look.

At the back, the tail lamps get LED combination units with diagonal L-shaped light graphics. The large wraparound tail lamps are in a boxy shape and have a commanding presence of the whole layout. Overall it compensates the minimalist design approach well.

The side mirrors are power adjusted and power folded with LED side repeaters and blind-spot indicators.

The Rio 6-AT is equipped with 16-inch, 8 twin-spoke bladed design alloy rims with 195/55 Kumho Ecowing ES01 tyres. 

The dashboard design is sleek and has a business-like layout due to it being fitted with premium quality upholstery which is black in color. The detailing trims embellished with metal finishing enhances the overall appearance of the cockpit. Easiness for the driver, buttons and other controls for the system are placed clearly on the dashboard. 

The Kia Rio 6-AT gets an electroluminescent analogue instrument cluster paired with a 3.5-inch LCD screen supervision display.

The seats are finished in full black cloth upholstery. The front seats are manually adjustable and come with active head restraints and sliding center armrest.

The Rio 6-AT offers plenty of head and legroom thus front and rear occupants get ample space. The rear legroom is very spacious considering it being a hatchback.

It has numerous storage areas including medium sized door pockets, compartmentalized storage areas with a cavern space in the center console and a decent-sized glove box.

There are 2 cup holders located in the front center console. As for bottle holders, it gets 4 with each one located in the side door panels. 

The Rio 6-AT gets one 12-volt power socket located in the front center console. It also has 2 USB sockets with one in the front center console and one in the back part of the center console.

With 325-litres of boot space it is able to fit up to 3 pet carriers at the same time with ease. 

The Rio 6-AT features a new Blind Spot Detection System (BDS) along with Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist System (BAS), Traction Control System (TCS) and Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC) and Auto Cruise Control (ACC) with speed limiter.

Passive safety includes 6 airbags which includes front, side and curtain, seat belt anchors, reminders and pre-tensioners, front and rear parking sensors, front and rear view camera, ISOFIX, security alarm with immobilizer and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

The Rio 6-AT gets a 5-inch center-floating digital display that supports Hands-Free Telephone (HFT) function, Bluetooth and AUX connectivity.  

The Rio 6-AT’s new Blind Spot Detection System (BDS) will make driving on the highway a much more relaxing task.

Audio is routed through the Arkamys audio system with high quality six speaker set-up.

The 1.4-litre naturally aspirated, 4-cylinder 16-valve, Kappa MPI DOHC with CVVT engine produces 100 PS of max power at 6,000 rpm and 133 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. 

The Rio 6-AT is installed with 6-speed automatic transmission. 

Power is sent to its front wheels.

The Rio 6-AT can go from 0-100 km/h in 11.1 seconds and hit a top speed of 183 km/h. 

The fuel tank capacity is 45-litres and it is capable of delivering a combined fuel consumption figure of 5.9-litres for every 100 km.  

It has smart keyless entry with engine push-button start, remote powered boot operation, full auto temperature control (FATC) with cluster ionizer, multi-function steering wheel, steering tilt and telescopic functions, front and rear view camera with front and rear parking sensors, electro chromic rear-view mirror, auto defog function, advance glove box enclosing cooling and illumination function, auto headlights and wipers function.

Overall it is comfortable, spacious and the ride quality is good. The Rio 6-AT’s performance and handling are more refined, agile and is better suited for cruising.

The Kia Rio 6-AT has good sound insulation. The NVH aspects are well accounted for, hence outside noises are barely noticeable.