New Kia Rio Ready for the Big Time

Sep 5, 2016

Kia has kept many details concerning the new Rio carefully under wraps, allowing only a trickle of information to reach the public. As the Kia Rio’s debut at the Paris Auto Show draws closer, the South Korean automaker is releasing more information regarding the fourth generation model of the popular subcompact car.

Recently released photos and information show the fourth generation Kia Rio as a sleeker, contemporary update for the subcompact. Kia has thinned out the vehicle’s grille, while retaining its striking look. The new Rio also has more streamlined headlights with a nifty U-shaped LED running light pattern. The new Rio is a little shorter and wider than its predecessor.

Most of the major changes to the Rio are updates to its interior, however. The Rio has a new and improved infotainment system that’s easy to use and conveniently located. The system extends off of the Rio’s dashboard, making it stand out. The infotainment system has several convenient physical buttons, keeping drivers from having to deal with swiping and tapping as they drive. An updated interior is also more stylish and makes use of better quality materials than previous incarnations of the Rio.

The Kia Rio is one of the automaker’s most popular brands on the international level, and sales have been improving in the U.S., despite a reduced demand for fuel efficient small vehicles because of lower oil prices. Recent sales figures show modest gains in Rio sales for 2016. Overall sales for Kia are expected to be strong, as the brand has built significant momentum in the past few years, thanks to its investments in improving design and build quality.

Rio History

The Kia Rio was released in 2000 as Kia’s answer to the Ford Festiva and the Hyundai Accent, a subcompact sold by Kia’s fellow South Korean auto manufacturer, Hyundai.

Bismarck Kia dealers

The first generation version of the Rio got positive press for its low price and attractive styling, but many auto industry experts criticize
d the Rio’s dependability and durability. In the 2000s, Kia began an intensive effort to improve the quality of its vehicles, and each following generation of the Rio reflected Kia’s progress.

The third generation of the vehicle, released in 2011, got rave reviews for having very low emissions and fantastic fuel efficiency. The fourth generation version of the Rio looks likely to continue Kia’s progress, as its build quality appears to be on track with Kia’s efforts to turn out better, more reliable vehicles.

The Rio, like other Kia vehicles, is backed by a 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty. This generous warranty reflects the confidence Kia has in the dependability and reliability of its vehicles.

Bill Barth Kia makes car buying easy for North Dakota consumers. With a convenient location, knowledgeable staff, and a helpful finance department, these Bismarck Kia dealers can make finding the right new or pre-owned Kia a fun and exciting experience. Visit our Kia dealership today to learn more about great Kia vehicles, like the new Rio.