Kia Rio generations

The perfect urban car. That's exactly how you can describe the Kia Rio, without adding anything more. The Kia Rio consistently ranks among the most popular compact cars for the city. This format is especially valued in Israel. The small Korean hatchback is chosen for its compact size, stylish design, high level of safety, fuel efficiency, and accessibility to a wide range of car enthusiasts. In 2023, the fourth generation of this popular city car, following its 2020 facelift, is available in Israel.

The small front-wheel-drive car has been produced since 2000 in sedan and 5-door hatchback body styles. The very first Rio was initially conceived as a compact and comfortable car for the city. While the first generation wasn't particularly notable, starting with the second, the famous designer Peter Schreyer worked on the 2009 updated version; as a result, the Rio began to look fashionable and modern.

The third generation of Kia Rio, launched in 2011, was revolutionary: the car changed platforms, a new Gamma engine lineup was introduced, and the interior and exterior design changed. The car fully met all modern requirements: high-performance but fuel-efficient engines, air conditioning, modern safety systems, and automatic door locking. In the EuroNCAP rating, the Kia Rio received 5 out of 5 stars.

The fourth generation Kia Rio from 2016, in addition to modern exterior and interior design, got increased dimensions. Due to the increased wheelbase, the interior became more spacious and the trunk roomier. Additional features included folding rear seats and an automatic trunk opening system.

In 2020, the Rio was updated and is now offered in this form on the Israeli market. During its development, special attention was paid to improving the base configuration, driving skills, and the practical component of the model. After the scheduled facelift, the car looks fresh and modern and, in our opinion, can attract many Israeli car enthusiasts, including younger audiences.

The base equipment of the 2023 Kia Rio includes LED optics. The body colors offered in Israel (silver, blue, red, black, white, and gray) have been supplemented with two new shades, and new 16-inch alloy wheel rims have been added.

Inside, there's the latest generation media system with an 8-inch touchscreen, voice control, navigation, Bluetooth, and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The resolution of the onboard computer display has been improved (the size remains the same at 4.2 inches). Equipment includes: automatic cruise control, air conditioning, rear parking assistance, 6 airbags, active lane keep assist, automatic braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection.

In Israel, the new 2023 Kia Rio comes with a 1-liter turbo engine producing 100 hp and 175 Nm of torque. The transmission is a 7-speed dual-clutch DCT7. According to the manufacturer, the updated engine is 8-11% more fuel-efficient. The Rio's fuel consumption is 4.8 liters per 100 km in combined cycle. The drive is front-wheel.

Purchasing a Kia Rio in Israel guarantees comfortable and safe driving on Israel's roads. The car is perfect for both city driving and long trips.