Our spy photographers have snapped the 2021 Kia Rio out in the open, this time performing some cold weather testing in Scandinavia.
Don’t let the thick camouflage trick you, nor the added layers of vinyl compared to last time we saw it, because as much as the Korean company may try to hide it, it’s not a new generation, but a facelift.
Review: 2019 Kia Rio Does What It Says On The Tin
Thus, it will soldier on with the same nuts and bolts of the outgoing iteration, which entered production in 2017. The only things that should visually set it apart are the revised bumpers and lighting units at both ends, with rumors claiming that the upper and lower grilles will slightly grow in size as well. New colors and wheels will likely round up the changes on the outside.
We have yet to catch a clear glimpse of the cabin, as our man with the camera couldn’t get close enough to the prototypes. Nonetheless, we wouldn’t hold our breath for any major upgrades, as Kia will likely keep it simple, with new upholstery and trims. If there’s one thing that could change, that’s the infotainment system.
The engine lineup is expected to carry over and will continue to include small petrol and in markets outside North America, diesel power units too, available with manual and automatic transmissions, including a dual-clutch, although we wouldn’t be surprised if they become friendlier to the environment.
Don’t look for the updated Rio at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show in early March, as Kia is understood to keep it under wraps a bit longer, perhaps until the end of the year or early 2021.
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