Skip advert
Advertisement

2020 Kia Rio: prices, specs and release date

New Kia Rio supermini launched with £13,395 starting price

  • Mild-hybrid technology features for the first time
  • New Rio gets a larger touchscreen
  • On sale now

The Kia Rio hatchback has been updated for 2020 and is now available to buy. The design of Kia’s rival to the Ford Fiesta and SEAT Ibiza is largely unchanged but there are more significant updates under the surface. A more economical petrol engine, better connectivity and more driver assistance technology all feature. Prices start from £13,395 and there are four trim levels to pick from.

2020 Kia Rio prices and specifications

Kia Rio trims start with entry-level ‘1’, which features air con, Bluetooth, heated mirrors, lane-keeping assist and collision avoidance systems. The ‘2’ trim starts from £15,595, and brings alloy wheels, DAB radio, a touchscreen and a reversing camera.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Best reliable small cars to buy this year

‘3’ adds sat nav, auto wipers and heating for the front seats and the steering wheel. The top-spec GT-Line S models gets a sporty look, front parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring and keyless start. The 3 model starts at £18,895, while GT-Line S costs £1,000 more.

Interior and technology

Inside, a new eight-inch touchscreen will replace the current car’s seven-inch screen (although the ‘1’ trim makes do with a smaller button-operated display). The eight-inch screen features Bluetooth multi-connection - two phones can connect at the same time - plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and sat nav on higher trims.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Kia is also rolling out the second phase of its UVO Connect live features in the Rio. You’ll be able to access live traffic information, weather forecasts, fuel prices and local on- and off-street parking details. Users can also download an accompanying smartphone app that lets them send sat nav directions straight to the car, check for diagnostic notifications and see where the car’s parked.

There’s more safety technology on board now, too. The forward collision assist now recognises cyclists as well as pedestrians, while everything from intelligent speed limit recognition to adaptive cruise control is available. The latter can be specified on automatic cars, and this - alongside the Lane Follow Assist function - means the Rio can essentially drive itself for short periods, such as on the motorway. Kia has also introduced a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert function, which warns you if you fail to notice that the car in front has moved off.

Engines and mild-hybrid power

The 2020 Kia Rio hatchback gets new engine choices, including a brand-new ‘Smartstream’ 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. A small battery, recharged from the energy normally lost in braking, essentially allows the stop-start system to shut down the engine sooner to save fuel. The Rio’s fuel economy currently isn’t as good as that of rivals, so the new tech should help it catch up. The 118bhp engine manages 0-62mph in around 10 seconds and 51-52mpg, whether you choose the manual or the automatic.

The new 1.0-litre engine is also available in 99bhp form without mild-hybrid tech, and an entry-level 83bhp naturally aspirated 1.2-litre engine. Kia’s given the 1.0-litre engine a six-speed manual gearbox for the first time (instead of a five-speed) and you can also choose an automatic with seven gears for £1,000 extra.

Different trim levels essentially get different engines: the ‘1’ is limited to the 83bhp engine, ‘2’ unlocks the option of the 99bhp engine, and ‘3’ and GT-Line S are both exclusively offered with the 118bhp version.

Styling

You might need a magnifying glass to spot the Rio’s changes but the grille is a little slimmer and the lower air intakes are reshaped. All models now feature LED headlights, while two new paint colours and a new set of 16-inch wheels are available.

See where the Kia Rio features in our guides to the best cheap cars to insure and best used small cars.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Dacia Sandero Stepway review – a tough bargain supermini
2023 Dacia Sandero Stepway - front tracking
In-depth reviews
27 Mar 2024

Dacia Sandero Stepway review – a tough bargain supermini

Suzuki Swift review – an affordable mild-hybrid supermini
Suzuki Swift
In-depth reviews
27 Mar 2024

Suzuki Swift review – an affordable mild-hybrid supermini

Dacia Sandero hatchback review
Dacia Sandero review
In-depth reviews
26 Mar 2024

Dacia Sandero hatchback review

Hot car deal: top-spec Citroen C3 hatchback for just £127 per month
Citroen C3 tracking
Deals
22 Mar 2024

Hot car deal: top-spec Citroen C3 hatchback for just £127 per month

Most Popular

New Polestar 4 coupe SUV – how is the £60k EV shaping up?
Polestar 4 Prototype drive front quarter
News
22 Mar 2024

New Polestar 4 coupe SUV – how is the £60k EV shaping up?

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
28 Mar 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide
Public EV charge point
Tips and advice
11 Jan 2023

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
best electric cars
Best cars
28 Mar 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024