The Kia Rio has been the Korean automaker's subcompact offering since 2000. Redesigned in 2006, the Rio is getting a bit long in the tooth, and sales have reflected this. However, the 2012 Rio will likely catapult the car into the small car spotlight as it's set to compete with the best of the best in the market. These images have been released ahead of the upcoming Geneva Auto Show.
Powerplants will range from a 1.1-liter diesel for Europe to larger gas powerplants for the U.S. I've read that it could be the 1.6-liter direct-injection Hyundai four-cylinder making 138 horsepower/123 ft./lbs. of torque.
The third-generation Rio will be two inches longer, one inch wider, and a half-inch lower than the current generation.
I happen to think the car looks fantastic, and bet it will be a major contender in the rapidly growing and increasingly competitive U.S. subcompact market.
3 comments:
IMHO the current line of Kia's visually look really good! Every time I come up to a Forte I'm impressed. That Rio looks pretty good as well. I can't say anything about quality since I've never touched one, but if I were in the market, I'd go for a test drive.
I agree on all counts, David. The latest crop of Kias is really nice. Soul is a good car; Forte is great (especially with the 2.4 liter engine); the Optima looks awesome in person and will be great to drive, I'm sure.
It's likely the rio will be a hit, too.
The car looks good. The back end looks like a Seat...
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