2021 Kia Rio Facelift Brings Subtle Styling Tweaks, Big Content Upgrades

Hyundai and Kia have accustomed us with comprehensive facelifts in recent years and the 2021 Rio supermini makes no exception.

The fourth-generation Rio has received significant upgrades for its mid-cycle refresh, including styling tweaks, ‘big car’ safety and infotainment tech, as well as Kia’s first petrol 48-volt mild-hybrid system.

In the looks department, the 2021 Kia Rio adopts subtle exterior upgrades including a narrower ‘tiger-nose’ grille, lower and wider front bumper with new fog lamp housings, as well as new full LED headlamps with integrated DRLs.

2021 Kia Rio GT Line

Subtle yet effective styling tweaks inside and out

Kia has introduced two new colors as well, Perennial Grey and Sporty Blue, bringing the total number of paint options to nine. The exterior refresh is rounded out by new 16-inch alloys in an eight-spoke design.

Inside, the refreshed Rio brings visual, material and technological upgrades to create a more upscale ambience and improve quality. The most obvious update is the new 8.0-inch touchscreen, complemented by a higher-resolution 4.2-inch digital display in the instrument cluster.

The facelifted supermini packs an upgraded infotainment system featuring Bluetooth multi-connection, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on models equipped with the 8.0-inch Display Audio system, as well as UVO Connect ‘Phase II’ telematics features.

2021 Kia Rio GT-Line

Kia also offers a new interior customization option in the form of a new blue color pack which brings colored seat bolsters, dashboard and door arm rests, matched with contrast stitching. GT-Line models feature a black single-tone interior with white contrast piping and stitching on the seats, as well as a carbon fiber-effect dashboard. Additionally, all 2021 Kia Rio models are now equipped with driver and optional front passenger seat height adjustability.

The 2021 Kia Rio becomes the brand’s first vehicle powered by a petrol mild-hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) powertrain. Dubbed ‘EcoDynamics+’, it pairs Kia’s new ‘Smartstream’ 1.0-litre T-GDi (Turbocharged Gasoline Direct injection) three-cylinder engine with a 48V MHEV system for increased fuel efficiency via electric torque assistance and regenerative braking.

2021 Kia Rio base model

2021 Rio offers two petrol 48-volt mild-hybrid powertrains hooked to a ‘clutch-by-wire’ intelligent manual transmission

Shared with the all-new Hyundai i20, the electrified Smartstream engine is available in the same power outputs as the previous Kappa engine: 100 PS (99 HP) or 120 PS (118 HP). However, the more powerful unit now delivers 16 percent higher peak torque of 200 Nm (147 lb-ft). Overall, Kia claims the new EcoDynamics+ powertrain cuts the Rio’s CO2 emissions by between 8.1 percent and 10.7 percent on the combined NEDC cycle. Both mild-hybrid powertrains will be equipped with a Drive Mode Select system consisting of Eco, Sport and Normal modes.

The new Rio EcoDynamics+ is also one of the first models from Kia to feature the brand’s new intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT). Instead of a mechanical linkage, the iMT’s clutch is controlled purely electronically. According to Kia, it contributes to the MHEV system’s greater fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions, while retaining the driver engagement of a conventional manual transmission.

Besides the two EcoDynamics+ mild-hybrids, customers can also opt for revised Smartstream conventional petrol engines, including a 100 PS (99 HP) 1.0-liter T-GDi unit and an 84 PS (83 HP) naturally aspirated 1.2-liter power plant. The turbocharged engine comes as standard with a six-speed manual transmission while a seven-speed auto dual-clutch transmission (7DCT) is optional. Kia says it has also upgraded the Rio’s Idle Stop & Go (ISG) system, which is now brake-linked instead of clutch-linked for additional fuel savings.

When it comes to safety, the 2021 Kia Rio brings the brand’s latest Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS), such as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian, vehicle and cyclist recognition, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning, and Blind Collision Warning.

Available systems include Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Warning, Smart Cruise Control, Lane Following Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Occupant Alert and Leading Vehicle Departure Alert.

The 2021 Kia Rio will go on sale across Europe in the third quarter of 2020.