There’s a good reason why European manufacturers are fearful of the rise and rise of South Korea’s car industry, and the latest Kia Rio shows why.
Whereas once it was a cheap and cheerful alternative for people who didn’t really like cars but needed to get from A-B, a Kia is now a stylish and desirable car.
The new Rio is a fine looking hatchback that will be able to hold its head up high next to the Fiesta and Corsa when it comes to the style stakes.
It’s slightly lower than the current Rio, but an inch wider and more than two inches longer, so interior space should be increased and luggage capacity jumps from 270 to 292 litres.
Power comes by way of a 1.2 litre turbocharged petrol or a 1.1 litre turbodiesel with 69bhp. This engine promises to be ultra efficient, with Kia claiming CO2 emissions of as low as 85g/km.
It’ll be on show at Geneva next month. The five door model shown here goes on sale in September, with a three-door version joining the range early next year.
