Kia Rio Sedan’s India Launch Likely in 2019 – All You Need to Know

Kia Rio sedan is one of the most important and initial models from the brand for India; shares platform with Elantra

Kia is an all-new brand that will enter the highly competitive Indian auto industry in a few years. Owned by Hyundai and South Korea’s second largest automobile group, Kia has already signed MoU with Andhra Pradesh government to set up their first plant in the country. In Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, the automaker has plans to invest $1.1 billion to set up the plant.

While Hyundai already has a very strong base in the country, its subsidiary Kia will strengthen the group’s hold in the country. With localised production, Kia will be able to keep the pricing of its cars very competitive against the rivals. In recent past, test mules of models like the Soul Sportage have been spotted on Indian roads, but one of the initial and very important products from this brand will be the Kia Rio sedan.

In fact, Kia will likely commence its operation with this sedan only. Upon launch, Kia Rio will target the rivals like Honda City and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz in its segment. This car is based on the Kia Rio premium hatchback and it shares the underpinning with new Hyundai Elantra, which has already earned positive response in the domestic market. Here, we take a look at all the details of the upcoming sedan:

Kia Rio India Price

Kia Rio sedan would be priced very aggressively against its rivals, thanks to the localised production. It is expected to be priced between Rs. 9 lakh and Rs. 13.5 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). Expect the car to be rolled out sometime during 2019. Also, there are chances, that Kia will showcase this sedan at the upcoming 2018 New Delhi Auto Expo.

Kia Rio Engine Specifications

Upcoming Kia Rio sedan is expected to get a 1.4-litre VTVT petrol engine that does duty under the hood of Hyundai Verna and in the Elite i20 AT model also. This engine is capable of churning out 106 bhp of peak power at 6,300 rpm and 135 Nm of peak torque at 5,000 rpm in the Hyundai Verna sedan.

Apart from this engine, the India-spec Kia Rio would come with a larger 1.6-litre petrol engine, which is also available in the Verna and the Creta. Apart from that, Kia will offer diesel variants of the Rio sedan the diesel model could come powered by either a 1.4-litre unit or a larger 1.6-litre motor. Transmission options will include both 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic gearboxes.

The China-spec Kia Rio sedan gets a 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine capable of generating 99 bhp of peak power at 6,300 rpm and 132 Nm of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. Also, there is a more powerful 1.6-litre engine on offer in the China-spec model. This larger engine is capable of pumping out 122 bhp of peak power. The 1.4-litre engine is available with both 6-speed MT and 6-speed AT gearbox options, while the larger engine comes paired with only a 6-speed AT unit.

Kia Rio Mileage

Kia Rio petrol is expected to deliver around 17 kmpl of fuel efficiency, while the diesel variant would return around 24 kmpl of fuel efficiency.

Kia Rio Exterior

Kia Rio is one of the bestselling and most popular models from the South Korean auto major. It comes wearing the latest design language of the brand that looks stylish and pretty urban. Up front, the car gets Kia’s signature butterfly grille with chrome trim and bold mesh design flanked by sharp headlamps with projector lamps and integrated ORVMs. The fog lamps are positioned at deep black housing and there is a large central air intake giving the front bumper a sculpted look.

At the side profile, the Kia Rio sedan gets sporty alloy wheels, turn indicator integrated ORVMs, subtly flared fenders and lower side body, blackened glass area and a nicely curved roofline as well. It could come with 16-inch wheels for the Indian market. Rear profile of the car gets wraparound sharp taillights with LED cluster, a relatively plain looking tailgate along with a sculpted looking bumper.

As it appears, Kia Rio comes with a very proportionate look and there is a subtle touch of the Hyundai’s latest Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language. Kia has designed some suave and stunning looking cars and one of them is surely the Rio sedan.

Kia Rio Dimensions

Dimensionally, the Kia Rio sedan measures 4,370 mm in length, 1,720 mm in width, 1,455 mm in height and it also has a wheelbase of 2,570 mm. This means, the Kia Rio sedan will offer generous space inside the cabin for the occupants, ensuring a comfortable journey experience.

Kia Rio Ground Clearance

The Kia Rio sedan comes with 140 mm of ground clearance, which is pretty decent for tackling the potholes of the Indian roads.

Kia Rio Boot Space

Expect the upcoming sedan to offer generous amount of boot space that will be able to accommodate a large amount of luggage.

Kia Rio Tyre Size

Kia Rio sedan comes available with wheel options like 15-inch and 17-inch alloy wheels. The India-spec model could arrive with 16-inch alloy wheels.

Kia Rio Interior and Features

Inside the cabin, Kia Rio sedan will arrive with pretty attractive look. It is expected to come featuring an black theme with contrast scheme that will enhance the visual appeal further. The interior would get a multi-function steering wheel, three-pod instrument cluster with analog dials and a digital MID along with a dual-tone dashboard. Center console of the car is expected to come featuring a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and it will come linked to the car’s 6-speaker audio system.

There would be a sunroof enhancing the airy feel of the cabin alongside increasing the premiumness. Apart from that, the sedan is likely to arrive with upmarket quality seat and upholstery materials. The space and comfort on offer will be impressive too, thanks to the sedan’s 4,370 mm of length and 2,570 mm of wheelbase. It will also come with front armrest with storage capacity, rear armrest and well cushioned comfortable seats.

Kia Rio India Rivals

Upon arrival, Kia Rio sedan will compete with tough and established rivals Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and Honda City.

Kia Rio Sedan Gallery