2018 Kia Rio Revealed With All-New Design
Kia has pulled the sheet from the new fourth-generation Rio before the small car makes its worldwide debut at the upcoming Paris Motor Show.
The new Kia Rio gets an all-new look that features the brand’s tiger nose grille along with a new set of bi-function projections headlights with new U-shaped LED lighting.
The new Rio is slightly larger than its predecessor, growing by 0.19 inches (5 mm) in width, 0.4 inches (10 mm) in wheelbase, and 0.6 inches (15 mm) in overall length.
SEE ALSO: Kia Rio GT Hot Hatch Spied Testing a Sporty Front End
Inside, Kia calls it a driver-focused cabin, with horizontal straight lines that run the length of the dashboard trying to give the interior a wider feel. The dashboard and center stack controls are now angled towards the driver, while Kia’s new infotainment interface allowed the number of buttons on the center console to be cut down.
Black or grey upholstery is available inside along with black or grey artificial leather while a new Red Pack brings along red accents throughout the inside.
Details on the powertrain and driving technology are still in the dark, with Kia simply saying that the new Rio will have “class-leading practicality and safety technology.”
The fourth-generation Rio will begin production at the end of 2016 for Europe. It is expected that the small car will arrive in the U.S. as a 2018 model, sometime in 2017. Watch for all the details when the car is fully unveiled on September 29.
Discuss this story at our Kia Forum
Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
More by Stephen Elmer
Comments
Join the conversation
It looks like a VW Golf.
Now Kia needs to complete the cycle by offering a GTI challenger in both performance and price, the latter of greater importance, of course.