Kia · 1999–2023

Kia Rio

The Kia Rio (Korean: 기아 리오) is a subcompact car manufactured by Kia, produced from 1999 to 2023. Body styles have included a three and five-door hatchback and four-door sedan, equipped with inline-four gasoline and diesel engines, and front-wheel drive. The Rio replaced the first-generation Pride—a rebadged version of the Ford Festiva—and the Avella, a subcompact sold as a Ford in some markets. A second generation was introduced in 2005 in Europe and in 2006 in North America, sharing its platform with the Hyundai Accent, a subcompact manufactured by its sister Hyundai Motor Company in South Korea. In August 2023, the K3 was introduced as its successor in several markets such as Mexico and the GCC countries.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Kia Avella

All Kia Rio data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

First generation (DC; 1999)

The first generation Kia Rio (referred internally as the "DC") was offered in both four-door sedan and five-door station wagon body styles. When released, it was the least-expensive mass-produced car to be sold in the United States. While the Rio's styling and affordability were well-received, it was derided for its poor build quality and driving experience. The station wagon was marketed as the "Rio Cinco" in the United States, "Rio RX-V" in Canada, and "Rio Look" in Chile. The sedan/saloon version was not sold in the United Kingdom, and the station wagon/hatchback was known as the "Rio" there. In Greece, both versions were sold as the "Rio". In South Korea, this was the only generation to use the "Rio" name, as the "Pride" name was used from the second generation onwards. The first generation Rio offered only one engine for each model year in the United States: a 96 hp (72 kW) 1.5-litre DOHC I4 gasoline engine from 2001 through 2002. Then a larger version appeared, a 1.6-litre DOHC four-cylinder rated at 104 hp (78 kW) used for model years 2003 through 2005. All years offered a choice of a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed F4A-EL automatic. An alternative of a 1.3-litre (1,343 cc) SOHC four-cylinder/eight-valve petrol, producing 75 hp (56 kW) was offered in some other countries, including the United Kingdom and most of continental Europe. The USA-version five-door featured power steering and a tachometer, optional on the sedan. The European version was marketed under several trim levels; standard equipment for all trims included a driver airbag. Additional features were available for promotion in Greece, including leather seats and car alarm. In Europe, the various national markets received different selections of the three engines. The domestic Korean ma

Second generation (JB; 2005)

Kia introduced the second generation (JB) in early 2005 model year in Europe and for model year 2006 in North America, based on a redesigned platform shared with the Hyundai Accent. The engine was upgraded to a 110 hp 1.6-litre DOHC four-cylinder "Alpha II" engine now also shared with the Hyundai Accent. Other changes include a new exterior design, an increase in exterior size and interior volume, increased safety features and fuel economy. The station wagon was dropped with this generation in favor of a new 5-door hatchback. Kia offered the 2006 sedan as the Rio and Rio LX, the LX trim included power steering, air conditioning, and CD player. The Rio5 (USA) is offered simply in SX trim level with leather-covered steering wheel. As in the first generation, only the five-door hatchback version was offered in some European markets (including the UK). Three engines are available; a 1.6-litre DOHC engine with 110 hp (82 kW), a lesser 1.4-litre version with 96 hp (72 kW) and a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine with 109 hp. However, in the US market only the 1.6-litre gasoline engine is offered, in two body styles: a four-door-sedan and a five-door hatch. The European version's common rail diesel engine produces 110 PS (81 kW). In 2007, an SX trim level was added to the Rio sedan with the same features supplied with the Rio5 SX. In 2007, the South Korean government began testing approximately 4,000 pre-production Rio hybrid-electric models, with parent company Hyundai Kia Automotive Group later announcing and subsequently withdrawing anticipated release dates for the hybrid model. For 2008, Kia offered the LX trim level for the Rio5 (similar to the Rio LX sedan) and a limited production of Rio5 SX Tuner models, featuring Falken FK452 tires, Tanabe strut tower brace and Eibach Fe

Third generation (UB/QB; 2011)

Starting from the third generation, the Rio was split into two different models, one being the global model (codename: UB), and the other is a specific model for Russia and China (codename: QB). Global version (UB). The global third-generation Rio debuted on March 1, 2011, at the Geneva Motor Show, again based on the Hyundai Accent. It was designed at Kia's design studios in Irvine, California. The vehicle feature sloping shoulder lines and wedge-shaped exteriors, which is inline with other Kia models at the time such as the 2011 Optima and Sportage. The Rio also feature its own interpretation of Kia's signature grille known as the "Tiger Nose", which is slimmed down to connect to the headlamp design. The new design includes a larger air intake. Its extended wheelbase of 2,570 mm (101.2 in) improves passenger and cargo space. The Rio in Europe also receives a 3-door model. It is mechanically identical to the 5-door, though its longer doors give it a more sporting appearance that appeals to younger audiences. The 3-door is also noticeably cheaper than the 5-door. In November 2011, the third-generation Rio was awarded Semperit Irish Car of the Year and in December was awarded Australian CarsGuide's 2011 Car of the Year award as well, triumphing over many other vehicles including the likes of the Range Rover Evoque and the recently facelifted Ford Territory. Powertrain. The UB Rio featured 1.4-litre or 1.6-litre Hyundai GDI Gamma engines. The European market also received the option of a 1.25-litre petrol engine, as well as a 1.4-litre or 1.1-litre CRDi turbo-diesel engine - the 1.1-litre engine having the lowest CO2 emissions and highest MPG of any non-electric or hybrid car currently on sale at time of writing; up to 88 mpg on the EU combined cycle (73 mpg in US gallons)

Fourth generation (YB/SC/FB/UC; 2016)

The fourth-generation Rio also consists of two different models, one being the global model produced in South Korea, Mexico and Algeria known with the model code YB or SC, and the other is a specific model for Russia and China known with the model code FB or UC and produced in the aforementioned countries and in Ukraine. Global version (YB/SC). Kia presented the global fourth-generation Rio at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. The new car was designed in Kia's California and Germany design centers and features longer front overhangs, larger hood and a more upright C-pillars for the hatchback model. The hatchback model is 15 mm longer, 5 mm wider and 5 mm shorter in height than its predecessor. Unlike the previous generations, the fourth-generation Rio is an export-only model since it is not offered in the South Korean domestic market due to decreasing sales of its predecessor. In the country, the Rio-based Stonic crossover was offered instead. In European markets, the car is only offered in a 5-door hatchback form, while the 3-door hatchback option was discontinued. In other markets such as the Americas, both the 5-door hatchback and sedan body styles are offered. For the North American market, the Rio is manufactured alongside the Forte at the newly built Pesquería plant in Mexico. For the North American market, the 1.6-liter Gamma GDi engine was replaced starting from the 2020 model year. Officially marketed by Kia in press materials as a "Gamma II MPi", the updated engine features a displacement of 1,598 cc, a 75.6 x 89.0 mm bore/stroke, and an 11.2:1 compression ratio, meaning it is mechanically identical to the Hyundai Smartstream G4FM. The EPA fuel economy rating was significantly improved as a result of the dual-port injection system, while rated maximum horsepower drop

Successor

The fourth-generation Rio was succeeded by the K3, which was introduced in August 2023. The K3 nameplate was previously used by the Chinese and South Korean market Forte/Cerato which is a segment above the Rio. The Forte/Cerato was succeeded by the K4 in 2024.

Sales

The Rio/K2 was Kia's best selling model worldwide in 2012 and 2015. It contributed almost half a million annual sales to Kia. == References ==

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Kia Rio

Manufacturer

Kia

aka

Kia Pride (2005–2017), Kia K2 (China; 2011–2020)

Production

November 1999 – December 2023

Model years

2001–2023 (North America)

Body style

3-door hatchback (2011–2017), 5-door hatchback, 4-door sedan/saloon, 5-door station wagon (1999–2005)

Class

Subcompact car (B)

Layout

Front-engine, front-wheel-drive

Predecessor

Kia Pride, Kia Avella

Successor

Kia K3 (BL7)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q493781CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kia_RioCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1375987114 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2017_Kia_Rio_(YB)_S_5-door_hatchback_(2017-07-15)_01.jpgCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: EurovisionNim · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Manufacturer website (link only) — https://www.kia.com/us/en/rioLink only; no content copied · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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