Kia Rio

The Kia Rio is a subcompact car manufactured by Kia from 1999 to 2023. Body styles have included a three and five-door hatchback and four-door sedan, equipped with inline-four gasoline and diesel engines, and front-wheel drive.
The Rio replaced the first generation Pride—a rebadged version of the Ford Festiva—and the Avella, a subcompact sold as a Ford in some markets. A second generation was introduced in 2005 in Europe and in 2006 in North America, sharing its platform with the Hyundai Accent, a subcompact manufactured by its sister Hyundai Motor Company in South Korea.
In August 2023, the K3 was introduced as its successor in several markets such as Mexico and the GCC countries.

First generation (DC; 1999)

The first generation Kia Rio was offered in both four-door sedan and five-door station wagon body styles. When released, it was the least-expensive mass-produced car to be sold in the United States. While the Rio's styling and affordability were well-received, it was derided for its poor build quality and driving experience.
The station wagon was marketed as the "Rio Cinco" in the United States, "Rio RX-V" in Canada, and "Rio Look" in Chile. The sedan/saloon version was not sold in the United Kingdom, and the station wagon/hatchback was known as the "Rio" there. In Greece, both versions were sold as the "Rio". In South Korea, this was the only generation to use the "Rio" name, as the "Pride" name was used from the second generation onwards.
The first generation Rio offered only one engine for each model year in the United States: a 1.5-litre DOHC I4 gasoline engine from 2001 through 2002. Then a larger version appeared, a 1.6-litre DOHC four-cylinder rated at used for model years 2003 through 2005. All years offered a choice of a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed F4A-EL automatic. An alternative of a 1.3-litre SOHC four-cylinder/eight-valve petrol, producing was offered in some other countries, including the United Kingdom and most of continental Europe. The USA-version five-door featured power steering and a tachometer, optional on the sedan. The European version was marketed under several trim levels; standard equipment for all trims included a driver airbag. Additional features were available for promotion in Greece, including leather seats and car alarm. In Europe, the various national markets received different selections of the three engines.
The domestic Korean market versions did not include the 1.6-liter version, as the South Korean taxation system heavily penalizes cars of more than 1,500 cc. Claimed outputs for the domestic versions were higher, at for the little 1.3 and for the DOHC 1.5. For the SOHC 1.5 was claimed. The first generation hatchback was marketed as the Rio RX-V in South Korea.
Safety features included seat belts and an airbag for the driver. ABS was available as an option for entry-line cars but fitted by default for top of the range models.
There was a version called the Sports-Pac, which featured a bonnet scoop, a rear wing, golden wheels, and blue paint, all inspired by the Subaru Impreza WRX STi. Mechanically the Sports-Pac was identical to regular models, with the exception of lowered suspension.

Facelift

In 2002, the Rio received a mild redesign including upgrades in engine, suspension, brakes, and new exterior and interior styling. After this 2002 facelift, the entire range received the "Rio SF" moniker in the domestic South Korean market, with "SF" standing for both "Science Fiction" and "Safety First".
In Europe, the facelifted Rio received minor changes in external look and engine improvement of the 1.3 from to at 5,500 rpm, and at 3,000 rpm.
Iranian production of the facelifted Rio by SAIPA began in 2005. The cars were not equipped with ABS or airbags until 2012, powered by a version of the 1.5 litre engine which produces at 5,500 rpm and torque at 4,500 rpm. In early 2012, the production ended.

Second generation (JB; 2005)

Kia introduced the second generation in early 2005 model year in Europe and for model year 2006 in North America, based on a redesigned platform shared with the Hyundai Accent. The engine was upgraded to a 110 hp 1.6-litre DOHC four-cylinder "Alpha II" engine now also shared with the Hyundai Accent. Other changes include a new exterior design, an increase in exterior size and interior volume, increased safety features and fuel economy. The station wagon was dropped with this generation in favor of a new 5-door hatchback.
Kia offered the 2006 sedan as the Rio and Rio LX, the LX trim included power steering, air conditioning, and CD player. The Rio5 is offered simply in SX trim level with leather-covered steering wheel. As in the first generation, only the five-door hatchback version was offered in some European markets. Three engines are available; a 1.6-litre DOHC engine with, a lesser 1.4-litre version with and a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine with 109 hp. However, in the US market only the 1.6-litre gasoline engine is offered, in two body styles: a four-door-sedan and a five-door hatch. The European version's common rail diesel engine produces.
In 2007, an SX trim level was added to the Rio sedan with the same features supplied with the Rio5 SX.
In 2007, the South Korean government began testing approximately 4,000 pre-production Rio hybrid-electric models, with parent company Hyundai Kia Automotive Group later announcing and subsequently withdrawing anticipated release dates for the hybrid model.
For 2008, Kia offered the LX trim level for the Rio5 and a limited production of Rio5 SX Tuner models, featuring Falken FK452 tires, Tanabe strut tower brace and Eibach Federn lowering springs.
For the 2009 model year, all Rio and Rio5 trims received standard Sirius Satellite Radio and radios with USB port & auxiliary jack, the auxiliary jack substituting for a Bluetooth mobile phone connection for devices with an earphone jack. The Kia Rio ranked 5th in the "20 least expensive 2009 vehicles to insure" list by Insure.com. According to research, the Rio is one of the least expensive vehicles to insure.
For the Malaysian market, the second generation Rio was launched on the 7 September 2005 available with only one trim level with only the hatchback body style and powered by a 1.4-litre 16 valve DOHC engine with a 4-speed automatic gearbox and was fully imported from South Korea.

Facelift

For the 2010 model year, the models received a facelift in late 2009, adopting Kia's new Tiger nose grille. In addition, the steering wheel receives the same design as the Kia Soul and Kia Forte, featuring optional Bluetooth hands-free phone operation, and the gauges cluster receives a new red backlit design. The headlights were modified slightly, with a darker appearance and parking lights and side-marker lights sharing the turn-signal housing. Side moldings on the car became narrower and body-colored. For the UK version, the Rio looks exactly the same as the US version, except that only the hatchback variant is sold there. It has Kia's new 'Tiger Nose' grille and is powered by a 1.4-litre DOHC four-cylinder 16-valve petrol engine, or a 1.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder 16-valve diesel. They both have a five speed manual gearbox.
This facelifted Kia Rio was never being sold in the markets of Central and Southeastern Europe, apparently due to dismal sales, as well as due to the insufficient production capacities.

Safety

;IIHS
The 2006 Rio received Poor to Average ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Test	Rating
Overall:
Moderate overlap front:	Average
Side:	Poor
Roof strength:	Average
Head restraints & seats:	Poor

;Euro NCAP
Euro NCAP test results for a LHD, 5-door hatchback variant on a 2005 registration:
;ANCAP

Third generation (UB/QB; 2011)

Starting from the third generation, the Rio was split into two different models, one being the global model, and the other is a specific model for Russia and China.

Global version (UB)

The global third-generation Rio debuted on March 1, 2011, at the Geneva Motor Show, again based on the Hyundai Accent. It was designed at Kia's design studios in Irvine, California. The vehicle feature sloping shoulder lines and wedge-shaped exteriors, which is inline with other Kia models at the time such as the 2011 Optima and Sportage. The Rio also feature its own interpretation of Kia's signature grille known as the "Tiger Nose", which is slimmed down to connect to the headlamp design. The new design includes a larger air intake. Its extended wheelbase of improves passenger and cargo space.
The Rio in Europe also receives a 3-door model. It is mechanically identical to the 5-door, though its longer doors give it a more sporting appearance that appeals to younger audiences. The 3-door is also noticeably cheaper than the 5-door.
In November 2011, the third-generation Rio was awarded Semperit Irish Car of the Year and in December was awarded Australian CarsGuide's 2011 Car of the Year award as well, triumphing over many other vehicles including the likes of the Range Rover Evoque and the recently facelifted Ford Territory.

Powertrain

The UB Rio featured 1.4-litre or 1.6-litre Hyundai GDI Gamma engines. The European market also received the option of a 1.25-litre petrol engine, as well as a 1.4-litre or 1.1-litre CRDi turbo-diesel engine - the 1.1-litre engine having the lowest CO₂ emissions and highest MPG of any non-electric or hybrid car currently on sale at time of writing; up to 88 mpg on the EU combined cycle and emitting only 85 grams of per kilometer. This market, however, lacked the 1.6-litre engine, with the 1.4-litre being the most powerful on offer.
Transmission options included a 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic for the American market, with the European market receiving a 5-speed manual for the 1.25-litre Petrol engine, a 6-speed manual for the 1.4-litre petrol, 1.1-litre and 1.4-litre diesels and a 4-speed automatic for the 1.4-litre petrol "2" spec model in 5-door configuration. Intelligent stop & go was an option on almost all available trim and engine levels.