Already the new Rio looks like it's effortlessly made the leap from budget Korean also-ran to proper Ford Fiesta rival. It maintains the design language that makes the Kia cee'd a looker, but adds a rakish twist.
The five-door goes on sale later this year, following its Geneva debut next month, then hits showrooms as a three-door model early in 2012. No prices yet, but it's likely to be more than the outgoing car in keeping with a bump in quality and image.
It's 70mm longer than the current version too and a little taller, so it's more spacious, while its boot grows to 292 litres in capacity. That's not too far off a family hatchback's cargo area.
The entry level engine will be a 1.1-litre petrol with 70hp and CO2 emissions 'from as low as 85g/km'. That's remarkable, but we can't get too excited because Kia hasn't confirmed which engines are coming to Ireland as yet.
"This new model is a big step forward. The Rio has always been successful, and with this new incarnation we have a car that people will want to buy for its looks," says Soon-Nam Lee of Kia.
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