New Rio to be More Stylish, Sportier and Roomier than Predecessor

At $9,740, the Kia Rio remains the least expensive 4-door sedan in the U.S., and other than the 5-door Chevy Aveo at $9,455, the cheapest set of wheels money can buy. Yet despite being inexpensive it offers attractive styling and unexpected features for the subcompact class.

Yet despite being inexpensive it offers attractive styling and unexpected features for an entry-level car. While sales have been strong throughout its first five years on the market, an update is necessary to keep the tiny sedan at the forefront of the subcompact

The very affordable and popular Kia Rio is getting an update, necessary to keep the tiny sedan up to competition in the subcompact segment. (Photo: Kia Motors America)

An all-new 2006 Kia Rio is forthcoming, scheduled to be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month, on January 11th. According to Kia, it will be "sportier, more powerful and roomier."

Teasing would-be buyers Kia released two official

The updated 2006 Rio is scheduled to be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month. (Photo: Kia Motors America)

In a press release Kias Senior Executive Vice-President

Kia released two official sketches on December 14, 2004, showing a much more stylish Rio. (Photo: Kia Motors America)

The South Korean automaker also states that the 2006 Rio will offer more room than the outgoing model inside, with greater front and rear legroom and higher levels of comfort overall.

The new design is based on Kias Sport concept car that debuted at the Paris Motor Show in September of this year (see Concept archives

The new design is based on Kias racy Sport concept that debuted at the Paris Motor Show in September. (Photo: Kia Motors America)

In North America the 2006 Rio will get a 1.6-liter gasoline powered four-cylinder that Kia only says "boasts additional torque and horsepower compared to its predecessor." The current Rio features a 104-horsepower 16-valve, DOHC 1.6 liter engine, with 104 lb-ft of torque.

Being that Kia is wholly owned by Hyundai, when its Spectra was upgraded for this year the automaker chose to adopt the general architecture and drivetrain from the next-generation Elantra, to cut costs through economies of scale and arrive at a higher quality

If the production 2006 Rio is similar to the concept, it should be a hit with the sport compact tuner crowd. (Photo: Kia Motors America)

Relatd Vehicle Listings