Chicago 2015: 2016 Kia Rio Sedan Makes Global Debut

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

The 2016 Kia Rio Sedan made its global debut at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show alongside the Rio 5-Door that bowed in Paris last year.

The Rio gains more Euro-centric styling cues for the 2016 model year, including revised front and rear. New fog light surrounds and rear reflectors, revised grill inserts similar to those on the Optima and Soul, and inward-positioned headlamps further contribute to the compact’s updated design. The compact also receives two new colors this model year: Urban Blue and Digital Yellow.

Power for the Rio continues to come from a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four delivering 138 horsepower and 123 lb-ft of torque to the front via a six-speed manual or optional six-speed auto; the Rio 5-Door no longer has its manual.

Other features for the Rio (in LX, EX and SX trims) include: SiriusXM radio; air conditioning; hill-start assist; power windows/door locks; electronic stability; remote keyless entry (EX, SX); 17-inch alloys (SX); push-button start (SX); and standard power sunroof (SX).

Both Rio Sedan and 5-Door are due in showrooms sometime in Q1 2015.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • Badreligion702 Badreligion702 on Feb 12, 2015

    Those headlights. They are just awful. Why, Kia?

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    • Bd2 Bd2 on Feb 13, 2015

      Not sure if it's an improvement. Anyway, the whole front look of the Rio looks better on the hatch. Doesn't quite look right on the sedan. Along the same lines, the Versa hatch looks better than its sedan counterpart.

  • RHD RHD on Feb 12, 2015

    It's a Neon with a little Fit around the windshield, with a train wreck for a front end, and devil-horn headlights. If it's not dirt cheap with 72 month financing or 149 dollar lease specials, only the legally blind or supremely gullible will buy this thing.

  • Tsoden Tsoden on Feb 13, 2015

    I wonder if they improved the passenger front seat. My father and I took a rio 5 out for a test drive just shortly after the current model was released. Since my father was in the market for a car, he drove first and I sat in the passenger seat...to which I felt like I was sitting in a barrel... I am 5'10" and I could barely see over the dash line...and the window line was at jaw level. When my dad and I switched positions, I could feel a huge difference in the drivers seat (much more comfortable), but my poor father at 5'4", could not see well out the front or side window. He ended up witha 2013 Hyundai Accent Hatch which surprisingly has much better seats.

  • Corey Lewis Corey Lewis on Feb 13, 2015

    Funny, if you asked me yesterday "Hey Corey, what body styles of Rio do they make?" My answer would have been "Hatchback, and sedan." I thought they made this car for years already. I think I credit Forte sedans as Rios.

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