2017 Kia Rio on sale 31 | 01 | 2017

THE ALL-NEW KIA Rio is on-sale at Scottish dealers with prices stating from £11,995. First deliveries are due next month. (Related: Kia reveals all-new 2017 Picanto)

Available only as a five-door — the three-door has been ditched due to lack of demand — the 2017 Rio’s design has evolved from its predecessor.

Most notably, the new fourth-generation Rio now has a higher quality and more spacious interior, improved infotainment, better ride and handling, plus a new lightweight three-cylinder engine.

The Rio is a crucial car for Kia. While it is the Korean manufacturer’s best-selling model globally, it is pipped by the Sportage and Cee’d in Europe, nudging it back into third place.

But the company is targeting a significant sales growth for the new model, up from 70,000 a year in Europe, to 100,000.

Overall, Kia is on target to sell 500,000 cars in Europe by 2018; this year it should hit 430,000, which would be its eighth consecutive year of growth.

Engine and gearbox

The new jewel in the crown — and expected to be the best seller — is Kia’s all-new three-cylinder 1.0-litre turbocharged engine, which is offered in 99bhp or 118bhp power outputs. It produces 102g/km of CO2.

Elsewhere in the range, there are two normally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engines — an 84bhp 1.25-litre and a 99bhp 1.4 – plus a 1.4-litre turbodiesel with either 69bhp or 89bhp. Not surprisingly, the diesel will be the most economical in the Rio range and will emit 92g/km CO2.

Available as a manual-only at launch, there’s a five-speed gearbox on the 84bhp 1.25 and 99bhp 1.0 petrols, while all other versions get a six-speed ‘box.

Chassis

Cabin space has been increased thanks to the new Rio’s 10mm increase in wheelbase; the car is also 15mm longer overall. The car’s centre of gravity has also been lowered thanks to the 2017 model being slightly lower than its predecessor, while also remaining the same width.

Boot space has been increased from 288 litres to 325 litres, beating the likes of its rivals, the Ford Fiesta, VW Polo and Vauxhall Corsa.

Technology

Kia has loaded the new Rio with a host of new safety equipment — including autonomous emergency braking — in an effort to ensure the 2017 model achieves a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

Safety is further boosted by the fact the new model is made largely from high-strength steel.

Trim and Prices

At launch, buyers can choose from four trim levels, named 1, 2, 3, plus a limited-run First Edition.

The £11,995 entry price applies to grade 1 cars, but these are well-specced, including a 3.8in display screen with Bluetooth connectivity, heated and electric folding door mirrors, air-con and front electric windows as standard. The entry-level Rio also gets automatic lights, stability control and hill-start assist technology.

The Rio 2 trim model, which starts at £13,745, adds a larger 5in screen, a DAB radio and 15in alloys. Step up to the 3, which starts at £16,295, and the Rio gets a 7in screen, sat-nav, rain-sensing wipers, Apple Carplay/Android and 16in alloys.

The range-topping — certainly at launch — First Edition, which start at £17,445, gets black and red faux leather upholstery, stainless steel pedals, LED rear lights, a smart key entry system and 17in alloys.

Related: Scots scoop Kia Dealer of the Year Award

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Jim McGill