The Kia Rio is showing its age, but spy photographers have apparently snapped the redesigned sedan.
Caught undergoing cold weather testing in Sweden, the model appears larger and more upscale than its predecessor. This naturally raises the possibility that this could be something other than the Rio, but that seems unlikely as the prototype has four lug wheels just like the current model.
While the car is heavily disguised, we can see slender headlights with integrated daytime running lights. They’re joined by an expressive front bumper that features a large central intake, angular accents, and vertical air curtains.
Also: Kia Rio To Reportedly Being Axed In Europe And Australia
Moving down the sides, we can see a rakish windscreen that flows into a gently sloping roof with a shark fin antenna. This flowing design is echoed below in the sweeping beltline.
Additional details are hard to make out, but we can see streamlined bodywork as well as a rear quarter glass treatment that loosely recalls the EV6. Elsewhere, the model appears to have three-dimensional taillights and a sporty rear bumper. We can also get a glimpse at a dual exhaust system, which suggests this particular prototype could be a performance-oriented variant.
While there are more questions than answers at this point, the current Rio hasn’t been a strong seller and reports have suggested it will no longer be offered in Europe. The model will also be dropped in Australia as officials have confirmed the next-generation Rio won’t be offered in a right-hand drive configuration. It remains to be seen if the redesigned model will come stateside, but speculation has suggested that might not be the case.
