Following on from its world premiere at last September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Kia has now launched the three-door version of the new Rio supermini in the UK.
This is the first time that the model is available in a three-door guise with Kia expecting it to account for around 20 to 25 percent of the car’s total sales.
The three-door model gets the same engine range and trim line-up as the five door model that went on sale last year but offers £600 saving compared to the equivalent Rio 5d with prices starting from £9,995 OTR.
British buyers can choose from four engines including two petrol and two diesel units.
The petrol range comprises of a 1.25-liter Kappa engine with 83bhp and 121Nm (89 lb-ft) of torque that returns a combined fuel economy of 56.5mpg UK (47mpg US), and the 1.4-liter Gamma developing 107bhp and 137Nm (101 lb-ft) with an average fuel efficiency of 51.4mpg UK (42.8mpg US).
On the diesel side, there’s the 1.1-liter CRDi with 74bhp and 170Nm (125 lb-ft) that returns an impressive 78.5mpg UK (65.4mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 98 g/km, and the 1.4-liter CRDi that develops 89bhp and 220Nm (162 lb-ft) of torque, while averaging 70.6mpg UK (58.8mpg US) in mixed driving with 105 g/km of CO2.
All Rio 3d models come equipped with daytime running lights, MP3-compatible RDS radio and CD player with USB and AUX port, electronic stability control (ESC), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), emergency brake assist (EBA) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) as standard.
The ‘1 Air’ grade adds air conditioning, while the ‘2’ is distinguished by 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, a chrome grille, black cloth upholstery, cooling glovebox, electrically adjustable heated and folding door mirrors with side indicators, leather trim on the steering wheel and gearshift and a centre console armrest.
The top-end ‘3’ trim adds 17-inch rims with lower profile tires, LED daytime running and rear lights, automatic air conditioning with auto de-fog, rain sensing wipers, cruise control, heated front seats and six speakers instead of four.
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