2021 Kia Rio arrives in Oz

The 2021 Kia Rio has arrived in Australia, bringing a fresh exterior design, upgraded infotainment and more standard equipment including better safety for some variants, alongside price hikes across the range.

Now available after prices were announced in July, the facelifted Kia Rio hatchback range continues to comprise three model variants spanning two engines and three transmission choices.

Prices now start at $18,090 plus on-road costs (up $600 from $17,490) or $18,990 drive-away for the entry-level Kia Rio S manual.

The mid-range Kia Rio Sport gets the biggest price increase and is now priced at $19,590 plus ORCs (up $1300 from $18,290), or $20,990 drive-away.

An automatic transmission adds $2300 to the list price of both models, putting the cheapest Rio auto at $20,390 plus ORCs and the Rio Sport at $21,890 plus ORCs.

However, drive-away launch deals for the most popular auto variants see the base Rio S priced at just $19,990 drive-away ($400 less than the list price) and the Rio Sport at $21,990 drive-away (just $100 more than the RRP) – see the full price list below.

Again topping the line-up is the Kia Rio GT-Line auto, now priced at $23,990 plus ORCs ($400 more than before), or just $500 more at $24,490 drive-away.

These prices continue to make the Kia Rio a rival for budget-priced light hatches priced from under $20,000, including the Honda Jazz, Mitsubishi Mirage, MG3, Suzuki Swift, Renault Clio, Skoda Fabia and Volkswagen Polo (the Mazda2 starts at $20,990 and the new Toyota Yaris at $22,130).

Major changes to the fourth-generation Kia Rio hatch including revised front-end design including a new front bumper and grille, upgraded multimedia for all models and new driver assistance systems for mid- and high-spec variants.

All versions of the Korean compact car are fitted as standard with an 8.0-inch central touch-screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic headlights, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors.

All grades also come with six airbags, traction/stability control, anti-lock brakes and three top-tether and two ISOFIX child seat anchorages.

Kia has now added a few more advanced safety features, including lane keeping and following assist and driver attention alert, but these are only found on Sport and GT-Line variants.

The Kia Rio also misses out on things like adaptive cruise control and road sign assist, which is offered in the new Toyota Yaris and in Rio vehicles in other markets.

The entry-level Kia Rio S also misses out on autonomous emergency braking (AEB) but the entire model range retains its five-star ANCAP safety rating from 2017.

The Rio S and Sport models are powered by a 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (74kW/133Nm) hooked up to a six-speed manual or conventional six-speed automatic transmission.

GT-Line flagships get a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol mill (74kW/172Nm) that pumps through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

There is also a three-cylinder mild-hybrid powertrain dubbed Smartstream, but this is not offered in Australia.

As well as the bigger 8.0-inch infotainment screen and wireless smartphone mirroring functionality, entry-level Rio S models get manual air-conditioning, cloth-upholstered seats (six-way manually adjustable for the driver’s seat), a six-speaker stereo, USB-A ports for front and rear passengers and 60:40-split folding rear seats.

Mid- and top-spec models also gain a 4.2-inch colour display as the centerpiece of the instrument panel, plus heated and power-folding exterior mirrors, cruise control and 17-inch alloy wheels.

In addition, top-spec GT-Line models add automatic climate control air-conditioning, automatic windscreen wipers, a sports steering wheel, alloy pedals, faux carbon-fibre cabin highlights and an automatic de-fogging system.

Exterior add-ons for the Kia Rio GT-Line include a sports body kit, LED daytime running lights, LED fog lights, a rear spoiler, unique grille, black mirror cowls and tinted windows.

The only option is metallic paint for $520 and seven colours will be offered for S and Sport models (six for the GT-Line).

Sales of the Kia Rio are down by 22 per cent thus far in 2020, in line with the overall COVID19-affected market slump. The Rio has found 3467 homes so far this year, accounting for a 15 per cent slice of the light car pie.

The top-selling vehicle in the segment is the MG3 with a 17.9 per cent market share (4138 sales), ahead of the Toyota Yaris with a 15.7 per cent share (3624 sales) and the Rio.

How much does the 2021 Kia Rio cost?
S manual – $18,090 ($18,990)
S auto – $20,390 ($19,990)
Sport manual – $19,590 $20,990
Sport auto – $21,890 $21,990
GT-Line auto – $23,990 $24,490
* Prices exclude on-road costs (drive-away prices in brackets)