Pricing, specs - Kia's refreshed Rio receives raft of changes for the South African market

• Kia's revised Rio range has been introduced in South Africa.

• The car is powered by the familiar 1.2- and 1.4-litre petrol engines.

• Pricing for the new Kia Rio begins at R280 995.

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Kia South Africa has introduced its refreshed and revised Rio range locally. The car features several enhancements across the board, inclusive of updates to the exterior, interior, and specification levels. The current Rio was introduced in South Africa in 2017 and is a competitive rival in the highly-contested B-segment of the local market.

Gary Scott, CEO, Kia Motors South Africa, says: "The Rio has been a popular and important model in the KIA lineup for nearly a decade. With a refreshed design aesthetic and better infotainment and connectivity features, we have opted to build on the Rio's key strengths and augment the inherent practicality and quality of the model.

"We are confident that the refreshed Kia Rio will exceed all expectations."

2020 Kia Rio

Supplied Kia Motors SA

All Kia models come standard with the automaker's unlimited km/five-year warranty - inclusive of five years' roadside assistance (also unlimited km). The Rio 1.2 LS, the entry-level model, includes a two-year/60 000km service plan, while all 1.4-litre models have a four-year/60 000km service plan. The refreshed Kia Rio is on sale through all Kia dealerships in South Africa from 1 December 2020.

Engines

For the revised model, Kia opted to retain the current crop of engines that were introduced in 2017. 

The 1.25-litre engine produces peak power of 61kW at 6000rpm and 120Nm torque at 4000rpm. The 1.4-litre engine produces 73kW at 6300rpm and 135Nm torque at 4200rpm. Both engines apply power to the front wheels, either through a five-speed manual transmission (on the Rio 1.2) or a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission (on the Rio 1.4-litre).

2020 Kia Rio

Supplied Kia Motors SA

Pricing

Kia Rio 1.2 LS Manual    R280 995

Kia Rio 1.4 LS Manual    R291 995

Kia Rio 1.4 LS Auto         R308 995

Kia Rio 1.4 LX Manual    R306 995

Kia Rio 1.4 LX Auto         R323 995

Kia Rio 1.4 EX Manual   R319 995

Kia Rio 1.4 EX Auto        R336 995

Kia Rio 1.4 TEC Manual R344 995

Kia Rio 1.4 TEC Auto      R361 995

The Kia Rio TEC may also be ordered with a factory-fitted sunroof as an option (R8000).