New vs old - KIA Rio: what are top 3 differences?

By Chad Lückhoff

We dive deeper into the three major changes between the third and fourth generation KIA Rio.


The KIA Rio has certainly come a long way over the last 10 years. Those that can recall the first and second generation will know just how much the subcompact B-segment car has changed. The key turning point was with the third generation (UB-series) Rio that was introduced to the world in 2011. South Africa first saw it on the roads in 2012 where it quickly cemented a spot for itself in the segment.

KIA came to the party once again in 2016 with the fourth (YB-series) Rio, managing to convincingly grab the torch from its predecessor and run with it to the finish line.

Let's look at how they managed to do this by looking at three key differences.

Size

It's a common occurrence; as a new model is introduced, it gets larger and more cumbersome. It happens with most models across brands. It's no different for the KIA Rio, but they were smart about it.

While the latest KIA Rio is 15mm longer than its predecessor, it has a 10mm longer wheelbase. This was done for two reasons. The first was to create additional room in the interior and the second was to improve the on-road dynamics. The longer wheelbase promotes better stability and a sure-footed approach to cornering. But more on the handling in just a bit.

The increase in wheelbase also opened up a little legroom in the interior and the newer Rio certainly does feel more spacious than the former generation.


Handling

Along with the lengthened wheelbase, the engineers at KIA redesigned the front suspension to improve the steering feel and mechanical traction on the front end. They moved the power steering box to provide a better feel through the steering wheel and beefed up the front cross member to counter any chassis flex that would be picked up during cornering.

The rear shock absorbers are mounted more upright. This improves stability through the twisties and provides a more linear actuation of the shock absorbers, improving ride comfort and agility.

The chassis was also stiffened, thanks to greater use of Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS). 51% of the new Rio's body is made up of the AHSS as opposed to 33% in the previous generation.


Design

The third generation Rio was a breath of fresh air, markedly improved from the second generation in terms of the overall design. There was not a single panel that resembled the outgoing model of the time and it was unrecognisable as a Rio. This is thanks to the creative design from the legendary Peter Schreyer.

Schreyer continued this success with the fourth generation and once again pulled out the stops to create a stylish, contemporary look that elevated the brand's profile to that of a premium product. The fourth generation presented a larger, wider and more inclusive 'Tiger Nose' grille and sharper, more streamlined headlights. The rear was squared off with more detail included in the taillights. Thinner C-pillars give the compact hatch a more sporty look as well as aiding with visibility from within the cockpit.

The interior design took a step forward with improved materials and additional sound deadening to create a more comfortable, quieter cabin. The dashboard redesign saw the infotainment screen protrude from the dashboard to create a floating effect. The horizontal lines and thinner profile helped create more space in the cabin while managing to retain all the storage space that the Rio was known for.


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