2017 Kia Rio Revealed

MANILA: Kia is looking to upgrade its line-up across different markets and it is quite evident from the series of teasers and sketches that the company has released in past few months. It is not long that the company revealed the sketches of 2017 Kia Rio and now the company has finally shed the covers off from the upcoming hatchback. Kia’s B-segment entry level hatch looks ready to take on the existing competitors in different markets. The fourth-generation Rio will be showcased at the 2016 Paris Motor Show and revealing it before the showcase looks a perfect plan for the brand.

Considering the changes, the front continues to feature the prominent “tiger nose” but, a bit trimmed down to give a sporty touch. The headlights are slimmer as well, which are integrated with bi-function projectors and U-shaped LED signature lights. To give a wider look, the fog lights are positioned slightly outwards within the front bumper. On the sides, the upcoming Kia also features a well-defined shoulder line from the tip of the headlight to the taillight. The rear has got a touch of refreshment and now features thinner C-Pillars, thinner lamps with new arrow-shaped LED lights. Considering the dimensions of the Rio hatch, it is 4,065 mm long, 1,725 mm wide and 1,450 mm tall.

The changes are not only restricted to exterior styling but, there are some tweaks within the cabin as well. To point out some are a bigger touchscreen which is the center for controlling the audio, navigation and different connectivity systems, trapezoidal aircon vents and a wraparound dashboard. To improve the ergonomics, the center console has been tilted towards the driver a bit and features ‘Floating HMI’ to provide important information related to the drive.

The South Korean automaker has yet not revealed the engine specifications of the upcoming 2017 Rio hatch but we expect that it will feature a range of updated Gamma as well as Kappa engines. It is likely that the detailed specifications of the 2017 Kia Rio hatch will be revealed at the 2016 Paris Auto Show. There are no hints by when the production of this hatch will start but, according to speculations it may start by the end of the year for the European markets.

For the Philippines market, Kia has not revealed any plans of bringing the updated Kia Rio but, Filipinos might get it anytime in the next year.