Here are the very-first spy shots of the all-new 2011 Kia Rio, codenamed UB!
It’s been a long, long wait, but it’s over now! The very-first prototype of next-generation Kia Rio sedan has finally stepped out in public for the first time and Sonytone.com spies were on hand to capture the moment.
Codenamed UB, the prototype of the next-generation Rio sedan sports some heavy camouflage, which is covering the most important styling details of the new car. What is clear already is the fact that the 2011 Kia Rio will feature far more attractive exterior appearance as the current model.
Its exterior styling will be influenced heavily by the up-coming 2011 Kia Cadenza and next-generation Kia Optima mid-size sedans. It is evident from these spy shots that the 2011 Rio takes some styling cues from the afore-mentioned sedans, which is not bad since both of them look outstanding. It is also evident that the all-new Rio sports a new Kia family look as seen on new Kia Sportage, Sorento, Soul and Venga mini-mpv.
These very-first Kia Rio UB spy shots confirm that the 2011 Rio will initially be available as a sedan, like the new Hyundai Accent. A five-door hatchback is also expected to follow later.
According to initial reports, the next-generation Rio is going to share its powertrain technology with the up-coming 2011 Hyundai Accent. Under the hood, engines options will likely include a 1.4L and 1.6L four-cylinder engines packing 107 and 126 horsepower, respectively.
If that doesn’t sound interesting enough, Kia is also expected to introduce a more potent 1.6L GDI four-cylinder engine, packing 140 horsepower, in the next-Rio. At least two modern diesel engines are also expected to be available in Europe.
Although there is no official word yet about the inaugural launch date of the 2011 Kia Rio UB, latest rumours suggest that full production of next-generation Rio will commence in the first half of 2011.
2011 Kia Rio gallery:
August 31st, 2010 at 4:25 pm
Is it a 2011 (due in a few months) or a 2012?
August 31st, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Well, I see that it has four lugnuts. FAIL.
August 31st, 2010 at 6:30 pm
this will be a 2012 model as the 2011 have already arrived at dealerships and still the old model (Canada)
August 31st, 2010 at 6:47 pm
JW what is bad about 4 LUGS?
August 31st, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Well…. still waiting the HB version
August 31st, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Just a personal taste kind of thing. 4 lugs looks tacky to me. Like faux fender vents look tacky to me. I would never own a car with four lugs. That is why I was implausibly excited when I found out the Forte had five lugs. I don’t know why, but I associate less than five with bad quality, and decreased cornering speed abilities. But again, just a personal preference.
August 31st, 2010 at 8:43 pm
That’s right Conwelpic, this is actually the 2012 Kia Rio!!
August 31st, 2010 at 9:56 pm
So this thing should show up at New York Auto Show, and land on dealer lots in September 2011. So lets see, Cadenza will be LA and/or NAIAS, what will be at Chicago?
August 31st, 2010 at 10:27 pm
I love what they done to the C pillar, it looks like the Ray, Forte and Optima…. and yet it has its own design. Unlike the 2011 Toyota Verso S which is a copy of the Prius, that’s easy to do. The rear door design is goes up just like the K7, Borrego and Rondo.
August 31st, 2010 at 11:22 pm
It looks really attractive, like mini Optima.
August 31st, 2010 at 11:50 pm
Speaking of Optima, today (Aug 31) is the 3rd anniversary of the purchase of our 2007 Optima EX! 55,167 miles and many more to come!
September 1st, 2010 at 12:20 am
So when is the Cadenza ever going to go on sale?
September 1st, 2010 at 12:34 am
Late Spring to Early Summer of 2011 as a 2012 Model.
September 1st, 2010 at 1:22 am
How exciting. Good thing the wheels don’t look retardedly small like on the Mazda2 and Fiesta sedans.
September 1st, 2010 at 1:55 am
Not to highjack this thread but I heard the 2011 Optima was at Road Atlanta in Georgia USA. Media were suppose to be test driving it.
September 1st, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Sept 011` is way too long a wait. I want a 5 door hatchback as I love my Kia Rio5 but I won`t wait months or years for it. If the Hyundai Accent lauches earlier this time, (last time around Kia beat Hyundai Accent with the Rio Rio by almost 6 months), I`ll go with the Hyundai since they will be identical vehicles with only minor trim variations. I have owned the new Ford Fiesta since July 19, a 5 door SE Hatchback and love it but will replace my aging Kia Rio with another Korean vehicle hopefully later this Fall or early Winter.
September 1st, 2010 at 6:56 pm
When a car is still in spy shots it means AT LEAST one year before it reaches US shores. Kia has to release it by the end of 2011, because the lazy idiots never took the time to put ESC in the JB Rio. ESC is a required feature for cars starting in 2012, and it pisses me off that Kia is waiting for the last possible minute. Kia, just because it is a subcompact doesn’t mean consumers aren’t concerned about safety!!!
September 1st, 2010 at 9:07 pm
You guys are catching up to us with our ’08 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS, Greg, regarding your Optima’s mileage. We now have 61,564 miles on our Lancer.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:43 pm
Several years ago, I saw a picture of a french car with only 3 lug nuts, so 4 ought to be plenty.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:57 pm
About GDi engine in the Rio,
They (kia) suppose to implement new GDI engine in the Sportage too, but we get the 2.4 Theta II engine non GDi and 6 speeds instead! We are away from the 2.0L GDi Turbo 274 HP announced
September 2nd, 2010 at 12:18 am
The Next Generation KIA Rio Sports Sedan, included is a potent 140HP engine with well over 40 MPG, a premium interior that best the VW Polo, and an alluring look and style.
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The Next Generation KIa Rio Sports Sedan is surely the Rio Deal.
September 2nd, 2010 at 1:41 am
Attaboy- I think the engine you are referring to will be released later. It will be in the SX trim of the Sportage, and also the Optima. I don’t know about the exact bhp or torque specs, but it is a 2.0L turbo. So a 1.6L with GDI will probably also follow suit- delayed availability after a few months or the initial release.
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If only we can get HK to bring some of these R diesel engines to the US. They use the 2.0 and 2.4 in a number of vehicles, so a similar engine could fit multiple vehicles. They wouldn’t have the same issue BMW has with their US diesel- only available in the 3 series and X3 (and only with an automatic due to the extremely high torque!)…
September 2nd, 2010 at 3:09 am
Great, so if I buy the new Optima, everyone will confuse it with the brand new Rio. Same mirrors, same fender vents, and same SX wheels (aside from 4 lugs).
September 2nd, 2010 at 7:09 am
I think 5 lug nuts would look cluttered on such small wheels and also wouldn’t match the number of spokes on this one.
I just hope they don’t use hubcaps for the lower trim levels this time.
September 3rd, 2010 at 6:12 am
Jeff G., they sometimes use existing wheels from other models on these “mule” test cars, as a way of hiding what the real wheels will look like once it goes on sale. Not always though. I actually think these wheels look quite good on the new Rio, gives it a more upmarket look.
September 3rd, 2010 at 6:15 am
*until it goes on sale.
September 3rd, 2010 at 1:22 pm
These wheels aren’t existing. They had to be created for 4 lug wheels. The existing ones are 5 lug.
September 4th, 2010 at 2:54 am
When the 2012 Rio debuts, which Kia now do you guys think will be the best seller in the US? We have the 2011 Forte with 6 speed auto, Optima, Sorento, Sportage, Soul, Cadenza and the next Rio? I think the best seller is still going to be Sportage. However I do wonder about the new Forte and Rio. But then the Sorento could pick up on sales even more with the more aggressive looking SX. When the entire line up debuts I’m pretty certain ever Kia will sale 5000 units or higher in the US. What do you guys think?
September 4th, 2010 at 3:01 am
Not only that but do you guys think the next Sportage will break the 10,000 unit mark. Do you guys think by 2011 there can be two Kia models to break the 10,000 unit mark? I think so and I also think this new Rio will break sales records for Kia’s B segment sedan to be very close to 10,000 units like the Soul. The Rio is going to break a lot of sales records. I also think the Optima will too. As for the Cadenza (which looks better than the LaCross and Taurus) is going to outsell the Maxima which Nissan only sold less than 6000 units in Aug.
September 4th, 2010 at 3:12 am
Sonytone keep watch because we also expect spyshots of the 3 door and 5 door Rios. Leftlane get ready this is just the beginning. I just know it. Which model will outsell what between the next Yaris or Rio? The Yaris is nothing but a Fit and Chevy beat concept. I also saw the 5 door cruze. So Daewoo is trying to compete with the Forte hatch huh? Will see if that Daewoo can handle up against the Forte’s 6 speed auto? Also Daewoo is trying to go up against the Carens with their Orlando. All that is is the Iszuz Axiom with the Borrego’s tailights.
September 4th, 2010 at 5:03 am
Sportage sales are dismal. I don’t see them picking up anytime soon. If the Optima follows the same trend in the USA as in Korea, Kia could sell at least 20,000 Optimas per month. Kia is going to have a hard time keeping up with demand on that Optima. I don’t doubt that the Optima will outsell the Sonata, which is the fourth best selling sedan in the USA. The Sportage appeals to a much smaller market. If the Sportage EVER breaks 6,000 in any month I will be shocked. Cadenza will probably sell 6-9k per month. Rio is hard to tell so far, but probably 9-13k per month. If Kia could actually make the Forte competitive and market it right, they could easily sell 13-17k of them. But, since the midsize car market is the best selling market in the US, the Optima will have the highest sales. Bestsellers – Toyota: Camry, Honda: Accord, Nissan: Altima, Hyundai: Sonata, Ford: Fusion. What do those cars have in common? They are all midsize, and they are best sellers for their respective manufacturers. Kia: Soon to be Optima. And it will outsell the nearly 22k Sonata.
September 4th, 2010 at 7:54 am
Sorry to be disappointing….. not a chance this is the next gen. RIO sedan…….
You’ll see spy-shots of the 3/5 doors before the 4 door….
September 4th, 2010 at 8:46 am
This is most definately the new Rio. What else would it be? The US spec Rio5 will be the Venga with this new Rio sedan’s front fascia. Oh, and this is obviously a Kia. Look at the 2011-Optima-esque wheels. It is not a Hyundai, because the Accent 4 door had already been shown. This is without question the Rio.
September 4th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
This is so the Rio. What are u talking about? It carries the headlight treatment found in the Kee, K7, K5 and new Sportage. It has a design within a design which started in the Kee’s headlights.
September 7th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
it’s not the new Rio. Just remember my posts….
September 7th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
It is the new Rio, why does it have Kia’s signature grille then huh? It’s the Rio all the way. And if it’s not the Rio, why on earth does it have the Optima’s signature side grille which was found on the Soul which was the first Kia to have the signature side grille. And speaking of the grille, why is the design of the front grille of the RIO the same design found in the Sportage huh? So you going to tell me that the Picanto, which was just also caught on spy shots isn’t the Picanto too. I can go on forever. If it’s not the Rio, why does the B pillar look simular on the Sorento, KND-4, Optima, Forte and Koup, next Picanto and the Rio then huh? IF IT’S NOT THE RIO THEN WHAT IS IT BECUASE IT SURE AS HELL AT THE ACCENT. It doesn’t look like a baby Sonata and Hyundai doesn’t use the Kee’s grille like Kia does. oh SQUAREHOLE don’t be salty becuase the next Yaris is going to lose in sales. Your a Toyota fan I can tell. If it’s not the Rio then why is it wearing the Optima’s rims (shoes)? Huh? You don’t know what you talking about. This is so the next Rio and I can prove it.
September 7th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
I can prove to you Squarehole this is a Kia. Look at the hood lines found on the Sorento, Sportage, Forte, Forte Koup and see if they also match this car’s lines making up the lines for the hood. These lines are also on the Venga too. So Circlehole what is it? It ain’t the K9 because it only has for lugnuts and it is too small. Besides the K9 will have the Kee’s roofline found on the Sportage and the Optima. And what is this car doing with the Kee’s and K7′s headlights. The outline has its own shape and insides there is another shape unlike the Lexus ES’s headlights that’s just a copy from the Pontiac Grand Prix’s that’s easy to do. And speaking of Lexus, that IS ain’t all that original neither. After all, the C pillar came from Pontiac with the headlights found on the Grand Prix’s its just smaller. The 1st generation Lexus IS’s C pillar came from the 1995 Honda Civic’s C pillar.
September 8th, 2010 at 8:13 am
Sheesh, squarehole, give it up, it’s the new Kia Rio for 2011! Codenamed UB.
September 8th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
I know I can’t prove it right now, but…just trust me on on this one…It ain’t the UB…….. Again, you’ll see the3/5 door before the sedan… We’ll talk about this when it’s all clear. And by the way I’m not a Toyota fan…
September 8th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Please tell us what this is if it is not the Rio. Because I was told there will not be a 3 door Rio, only a 5 door.
September 8th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Let’s see. Interesting, Squarehole must really know what he is talking about. Think about it: 3 times he says this isn’t the Rio…. yet, he never once said it isn’t a Kia. You know what that means? It means what the hell is this sedan. Better yet what segment is this in? It must be a B segment car just look at the headrest for the back seat. It is B segmentish. The back headrest are connected to the seats which proves it isn’t the K9. Besides the wheels are too small to be a RWD sedan and the length is too small as well. Now I remember back in July about future Kia products on this blog. The only sedans that were on there were the Rio and the possible K9 and nothing else. But this is a Kia becuase it has the family signature grille. Hmmm, interesting don’t you think? And this isn’t the Picanto becuase spy shots of the next Picanto are also on there. If this isn’t the Rio but this is a Yaris rival, wouldn’t the Rio and this car on spy shots conflict?
September 8th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Another thought just came to mind. Squrehole states that the 3 door and 5 door will arrive first. You know what that means? It means that Kia focused on a 3 door and 5 door before the sedan becuase of this sedan. So what if for now, the 3 door and 5 door debuts and the 4 door will be this this car for now with a different name? Another new thought just came to mind, what if this is the Kia Ray? After all, if you look at the greenhouse, it looks more like the Ray then the Optima. The Optima has chrome that starts at the A pillar and goes through the C pillar. This car doesn’t. Infact, if you compare this care on spy shots and the Kia Ray’s greenhouse, the only real differance between the two is the rear doors are longer than that on the the Ray. The Ray is on the Forte platform, and if this is the Ray, then it would make sense why Squarehole says this isn’t the Ray. This has the Ray’s A and C pillars. But there is not enough to really see much of the car. In order for Squrehole to prove he is right is to look at the face of this and the Rio 3 door/5 and see if they don’t match this sedan we are seeing on here. Like the Forte and Forte Koup look nothing like the Cee’d yet they are both C segment cars.
September 8th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Correction: The Ray is on the Forte platform, and if this is the Ray, then it would make sense why Squarehole says this isn’t the Rio. This has the Ray’s A and C pillars. The Ray also had something on the side that were exterior mirrors yet they were located where the Optima, Soul and this car’s side grilles are. However, if this is on the Forte platform and it is a C segment car, why on earth does it only have 4 lugnuts?
September 8th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Squarehole, after 3 times, I wanna believe you.
September 8th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
4 lugnuts – A or B segment car. Kia was mulling around the idea of a dedicated hybrid, but the Rio is overdue, and the 5 door is going to be a Venga with different body panels. I would be willing to bet that the dedicated hybrid will be C or D segment. Kia needs a RWD E or F segment sporty oriented car.
September 8th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
ok… for Greg… Kia 5 won’t be a Venga…..
September 8th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
I meant…Rio5
September 8th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Hey Greg you got to pay close attention to squarehole, notice he still doens’t deny this car being a Kia. You are right too Greg it can’t be the Ray becuase the Ray is a C segment and this is a B segment (too big for an A segment sedan). We gotta assume this is a B segment car and the only B segment car is the Rio globally. It’s not the Picanto becuase there is spy shots of the next Picanto on Hyundaismoke’s blog. The Forte, Optima and K7 are too new to be redesigned. So all that is left is the Rio. I got to cut out this being the Ray becuase of the 4 lugnuts. Squarehole, you got to tell me something becuase I still keeping heading toward the next generation Rio. I want to believe you but with you denying this as being the Rio ain’t enough. You need more reasons as to why this isn’t the Rio.
September 8th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
The only thing you seem to agree on is this is a Kia…. but a Kia what?
September 8th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Wait a second, Squarehole just gave us a clue. Kia Rio5 won’t be a venga. Hmmmmmmm, so the Venga and the 5 door Rio will go on sale. It brings me back to that old article I can’t find about Europe having their own version of the Rio than the States. Hmmm, interesting. Unless, the Rio 5 door is just for America becuase they have the Venga in Europe. Hmmmm, but what country is those plates from? Cut out S.korea becuase those plates are very long. So it must be either Europe or America. But isn’t Sonytone Korean? So what would they be doing in Europe? Why didn’t leftlane or autoblog find this if it were in Europe or America? I’m telling you something very fishy is going on with Kia’s B segment plan. Something big, something groundbreaking. Something bigger than the next Accent?
September 9th, 2010 at 2:55 am
As far as I know, UB is worldwide
September 9th, 2010 at 4:31 am
Squarehole gave us another hint: the Rio will sale globally. But why won’t he tell us about this mystery Kia? Has Squarehole seen the actual Rio uncovered? What do you think he saw? Do you think his mouth watered? A new thought came to mind. Isn’t the 2006.5 Optima and Elantra in different segments yet they share the same platform? Isn’t possible that although this has 4 lugnuts that it could still be the Ray? What if it is the Ray. Squarehole didn’t deny me thinking it was the Ray what I said earlier. Why is that?
September 9th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
I don’t see why the Ray has to be C segment. Just because the concept was C-segment? Ray could easily be B segment. Maybe a company can finally have a dedicated hybrid that doesn’t have a huge, ugly squared off rear end. But the Rio is way overdue. If the Rio is going to make it to the USA by 2012, it needs to be on sale in Korea by the beginning of 2011. Why would Kia go all-out on a 5 door Rio in the USA when the four-door Rio outsells the five-door Rio by a 10 to 1 margin? This is a Kia, this is a B segment car. UB is worldwide. Kia’s only four-door B segment sedan in Europe is the JB Rio. There are only two possibilities at this point. Dedicated hybrid or Rio 4-door.
September 10th, 2010 at 1:30 am
Right either a hybrid or Rio. If Kia never told us what platform the Ray was sharing, would you have thought of it sharing the Rio platform or Forte’s? The Ray is no bigger than the Rio yet it is not on the same chasis. This could explain the 4 lugnuts.
September 10th, 2010 at 1:32 am
The rims area other clue. Why have more upscale rims on a B segment car than what is on the Forte’s?
September 10th, 2010 at 3:48 am
Ray’s wheels had center caps – couldn’t tell how many lugs it had.
September 10th, 2010 at 4:36 am
I know Greg, I’m starting to rethink Squarehole doesn’t know what he is talking about. He has not said one word about this car only the 3 and 5 door Rio. He probablly is a Rio fan and loves hatche so much that he is acting like the Sedan never exist. And I look at it this way if you ain’t going to tell anyone what this CAR IN THE PHOTO IS then shut the F up!!!
September 10th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Ok, you guys just don’t get it and I won’t be able to prove that I am correct right now… so let’s just end it right here… but……………… I will look for you when the actual Rio 3/5 is and later the Rio sedan are unveiled to see what you have to …
September 10th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
Hey Squarehole don’t get mad at us because you WON’T say what this car in the photo is. It makes more sense of this being the Rio and nothing else. What’s the point telling us this isn’t the Rio but never say what this car is? And even if it’s not the Rio, it’s some Kind of Kia and I’m going to not only find out what it is but unlike you I”m going to tell everyone what this car is instead of talking about a 3 door and 5 door Rio and acting like we don’t want to know what this car on spy shots is. If you ain’t going to tell no one what this car is, just shut up. We know about the 3door and 5 door rio and personally I don’t think anyone cares if the Rio sedan came first or last. You keep talking about a 3 door and 5 door Rio on everyone of your commets but never talk about this car. You might as well be talking about the K9 instead.
September 10th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
maybe because I cannot tell you what it is…….. just know this is not the Rio. The article is about these spy-shots being the next gen Rio… false… it’s not. They should edit the title…What is it? I just cannot tell you.
Kind regards
September 10th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Why can’t you tell us huh? If you work for Kia and all, why is it you don’t know what this is but you know that its not the Rio? BTW just what do you mean you cannot tell us? Do you mean you are not allowed to tell us what this car is or you just flat out don’t know? The word “cannot” can be two different meaning I don’t know or I’m not allowed to tell you. Which one is it? BTW, the 2011 Sebring’s face ripped off the Kia K7′s. Just like how the Town N Country ripped off the 2005 Kia Mesa. They put LED’s inside the headlights plus it ALMOST has the Kia Signature grille. But ain’t no one going to say somehting…. but let it be the other way around and it would be 20 commets about Kia copying.
September 10th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Oh yeah, the 2012 Chevy Aveo may have a really good interior but Daewoo is lazy. I for one am not thrilled, all it is is the Cruze’s interior that’s easy do. Does the K7′s interior look like the K5′s? Does the Forte’s interior look like the Sportages? Does the Sorento’s interior look like the Soul’s. The 2012 Rio may not have an inteiror that nice but at least it’ll be different from the other Kia’s. That’s more difficult to do and it cost more money. Afterall, when working on the interior, you got to be very creative making totally different designs for eight different models. Unlike Daewoo.
September 10th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
Oh yeah, and the GMC Terrain’s back lights came from the Buick Rendevous. Does the 2011 Sportage’s tail lights look like it came from the 2001 Kia Careens? Does the Cee’d back end look like it came from the 1994 Kia Sephia. All GM is doing is taking older designs and putting to on new models. Just like how the LaCross’s greenhouse is nothing but the Saturn Aurua’s. That’s easy to do. Does the K7′s greenhouse look like the amanti’s?
September 10th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
So Squarehole, did you see the next Rio uncovered? If you did, what concpet does it take after the Kue, KND-4 or the Ray? How long is it? What does the interior look like? Which looks better the Accent or the next Rio? Decribe the greenhouse? What cocnept does the front take after? Which wheelbase is it using the Kue’s circular wheelbase or the KND-4′s wheelbase? What color was it? Which one did you see the 3 or 5 door? Also, if you work for Kia, go over to the country where this car on spy shots is and go to the plant so you well know what this is and tell us.
September 11th, 2010 at 11:59 pm
I just been on auto spies. They took a picture of the K7 in Michigan. The badge on their is K7 not Cadenza. Oh yeah, I also now joined Auto Spies and read my commets on their and you’ll see why I joined.
September 13th, 2010 at 10:18 pm
Yeah, and the Forte had a Spectra badge on it while testing. Your point please?
September 14th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
I can’t answer that one Greg yu have a good point there. I came up with a final conclusion for why Squarehole says it not the Rio. This must be the European version of the Rio a totally different design for N.America and S. Korea; as a result, Squarehole must have saw the N. American version and never saw the European version. That’s got to be why he said it isn’t the Rio.
September 14th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Ya might be on ta somethin’, jtz.
September 15th, 2010 at 8:56 am
I think this ‘all new’ Rio is based on new 2011 hyundai verna.
September 15th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
No kidding. I don’t care what anyone says, I don’t trust anyone else. This is obviously a Kia, and obviously the Rio. Sorry, but this is the Rio, for the US market. Europe will not have a B-segment 4-door – EVER AGAIN. So anyone who says this isn’t the Rio is not mysterious or clever, they are stupid, annoying, and a troll. Facts:
*4 door Rio outsells the Rio5 7:1 in the USA
*This vehicle has four lugnuts, making it an A or B segment vehicle
*This vehicle is a Hyundai or a Kia, you can tell by the wheels
*This vehicle is not an Accent because the Accent has already been seen
*This vehicle is not an A segment vehicle
*This is the Rio for the US market. a 5 door won’t come until later, and a 3-door most likely won’t come (Hyundai has the Veloster)
September 15th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Well this new Rio is ready to kick the yaris’s you know what? The Mazda 2 better get ready for a beat down. And that fit want know whit hit it. That Aveo wanna be Lancer thingy is just something Daewoo just put togather you see it has the Cruze’s interior? Does the Optima have the Forte’s interior? does the Forte have the Sportages’ interior? I think its more creative to have different interiors than the same. Unlike BMW, Buick, Audi, Daewoo and Mercedes…. that’s easy to do. Also, the next Optima is ready to tackle down that new Chrsyler 200 that got its name changed from the Sebring. Ha, Chrylser thinks giving it a new grille and copying the Audi tailghts is going to increase sales? Please, that thing will still get treated like a C segment car. My Forte will tackle that and its counsin that Avenger. 2011 is going to be a interesting year don’t you think? I kinda wish the Mesa design went into production than the watered down Borrego that Mesa can handle its clone the 2012 Ford Explorer ANY DAY OF THE Week. Especailly if it had the Mesa’s Panaramic sunroof.
September 15th, 2010 at 7:01 pm
Also, I’m suprised it is not on here but Kia is coming out with another cuv. This CUV is going to be a small CUV but have an interior the size of a midsize car. It will also have EV technologies. So lets see if Daewoo can handle that!!! Lets see if Toyota can handle that while their stupid hybrids sales are decreasing. I’m glad that Kia EV is going to be a CUV and not just another stupid, dumb, slow, ugly accelerating minivan. When is the useless slow sedona going to die?
September 15th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
The Sportage is out now, now where is the juke?
September 15th, 2010 at 9:25 pm
Greg…obviously there is not market for a Rio sedan in Europe… They gave up on those things years ago…
This, although it’s a KIA, it’s not a Rio, and I’m not stupid nor a troll…respect please.
September 15th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
Hey don’t worry Squarehole I wanna beleive you just as much as I want a confirm from Kia of what this is. However, one thing you and Greg have in common is you guys know that there is no Rio sedan in Europe. You guys game me another clue. Hmmm, I love thinking critically. I love this mystery. So we can cut out this being a European version of the Rio. We can also cut out this being an EV becuase Kia is making a EV CUV. Soooooooooo, what on earth could it be? Obviously, we can easily tell it sets on the Verna and Rio platform but does it mean its a Rio? Does four lugnuts mean its a Rio. Think about it? Remember when Greg first replied how disappointed he was about seeing this with 4 Lugnuts? So if Greg wanted to see the Rio with 5 lugnuts, will, doesn’t Greg just conflict on what he said eariler” This vehicle has four lugnuts, making it an A or B segment vehicle” So why do you guys think Greg was disappointed if he knew it was already going to have 4 lugnuts? So does this mean there is no rule to a B segment car having only 4 lugnuts and it could actually have more?
September 15th, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Another thought just came to mind. It’s about Squarehole. Now why do you think he returnes on here yet again saying, “this is not the Rio?” What if this is one of those 2012 Korean EV vehciels on the Rio platform? Think about it. What platform do you guys think will that EV Kia CUV share? Do you guys think it will share the Rio platform? It want be the Soul becuase I already took in the clue that it will have an interior the size of a D segment sedan. The Soul doesn’t. Hmmmmm, how many lug nuts will that CUV have? How many lug nuts does the Ray have? The title of this article should be called, “the mystery of the lug nuts.” Becuase of Squarehole, I’m going to have to wait and see who is right Greg or Squarehole.
September 15th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
JTZ- Maybe the CUV you mention will be an AWD Soul? They call the Soul a CUV in the owner’s manual.
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I’m curious if the trunk/ boot lid on this vehicle is going to be as high up (reminds me of the Forte sedan) or if that is styrofoam and it’s to make us think it’s that high up. Or it could be a spoiler, I guess? I know some manufacturers will put extra stuff to make the body panels look different than they actually are- one example I saw photos of is the Cadillac CTS Coupe. They had the stuff on the back end and it looked like a hatchback with all the black covering on it.
September 15th, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Another new thought just came to mind. Remeber back in July we saw that article about future Kia models? Will that is now trash because the Kia CUV that is an EV is not on there. That means they totally changed plans way before that article was released. That means it could be a possiblility that there is no Kee or K9 to go into production. Think about it. The EV utility vehicle isn’t on there. Also, what we expected to see spy shots according to that old article could also differ. I mean who is to say we should see Rio spy shots just becuase we are seeing the Veloster and the Accent? When the Tucson was first on spy shots, we didn’t see Sportage shots until almost a year ago. when the Sonata first went on spy shots, we didn’t see the Optima until months later as well. How we know its not the same for the Rio? Is the Forte and 11′ Elantra in production around the same time? is the Venga and the I30 arrived around the same time?
September 15th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
So maybe we should stop thinking everytime we see a new Hyundai or Kia on spy shots, to stop expected the other Korean brand’s version to be right around the corner. The Genesis and Equus is already out but Kia has to work around the platform Hyundai gave them. They don’t just want to put a V8 in it and call it a day. If that was it, why is the K7, K5, Sorento, Sportage, Forte and Venga so stylish? Don’t you guys think that is rather difficutlt to do other than what GM did to the Enclave and its clones? That’s easy to do.
September 15th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Nope that CUV should not be the Soul because they said on the article that the interior well be as roomy as a midsize sedan?
September 15th, 2010 at 10:24 pm
Another new thought just came to mind. It’s about what Squarehole said about the 3 and 5 doors arriving first. Now remember that old article about the next Rio is supposed to have better quailty than the VW? Why do you think out of all B segment sedans, the Polo was the one? Why not the Fit, Yaris, Aveo or even the Versa? The Polo has 3doors, could this be a hint that the Rio 3 door does exist?
September 15th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
Hmm… Well, it was just a guess. And I didn’t really think it’d be the Soul. More wishful thinking…
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As for the specs listed in the article, is the 1.6L with 126 bhp the same engine as the Soul has? The Soul’s 1.6L is rated at 122 bhp (according to Kia.com). I was hoping they’d put the improved version in the Rio.
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Oh, I’d also like to add (and beat the dead horse): KMA should bring (at least) one of their CRDi engines to the USA. I’m sure one engine could work in multiple vehicles (i,e.: like the 2.0L gas/petrol used in the Soul and Forte; and formerly in the Spectra and Sportage etc.).
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Last: I just saw the tail lights on the SX Sorento. Nice! They are really sharp!
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September 16th, 2010 at 3:38 am
Why? The Forte and Soul (Both C segment) have 5 lugnuts. Kia isn’t going to take a step backward. And, squarehole, you tell us that this isn’t the Rio, but you wont tell us what it actually is. So, by not telling us, you make yourself a troll (look up internet trolling). And Kia would be nailing their own coffin if they first had a 5 or 3 door in the USA. As previously stated, the 4-door outsells the 5-door 7:1. Currently Rio sales are around 2,400 per month. So by having only a 5-door, Kia would sell 343 Rios per month. Hmm, I wonder if that’s a good idea. Duh.
September 16th, 2010 at 3:52 am
Greg has very good points. Greg is so right about Rio sedans outselling the 5 door. Plus he brings up points. Squarehole doens’t really have any back up from status or nothing like that. All he keeps saying is it isn’t the Rio and that a 3 and 5 door version will arrive first. Which I agreee with Greg you might as well bring out a pick up truck and bring back the Borrego. Who is right is it Greg with the feedback to back him up, or is is Squarehole with just a “trust me” type of info? The ironic part about it all is….. why does Squarehole keep coming back saying the same thing with hardly more than two sentences? This is getting good!!! Come on Squarehole, just saying “this isn’t the Rio” ain’t enough I’m sure you have some type of info right? Heck I’m really backing Squarehole with my thinking and questioning more than he is for himself.
September 16th, 2010 at 3:56 am
I know Jason the SX Sorento is ready to tackled down that new facelifted Highlader. Does the SX face look like the LX’s Does the SX face look like the EX’s. Does the Highlander EX’s face differ from the LE’s? That’s easy to dO CLICK AND PASTE and jsut put LE or XLE at the end.
September 16th, 2010 at 4:25 am
Kia sells more Borregos than 5 door Rios, and they stopped selling the Borrego after one year. The Rio5 has been lucky.
September 16th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
So Squarehole, if you so called saw the Rio, why can’t you describe what it looks like? If I saw the Rio uncovered and this was mistaken as the car, I would be explaining everything why this isn’t no Rio. The 3door and 5door treatment ain’t working (the sedan arrives later). So what does the Rio’s c pillar look like? How long is it? You never even said how you know this is not the Rio. You never even said if you been in the plant or nothing. Like Judge Judy says, “if it doesn’t make sense it is not true.” Your story is weak.
September 16th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
I wonder, just wonder, what that new CUV is going to be like? Imagine a C segment cuv with the interior of a midsize sedan the size of the boring Camry, ugly Accord or even the Mazda 6. I wonder, if it will get panaramic sunroof like the Sorento and Sportage? I wonder if it will have available AWD? It better get turbo. I wonder if it will have over 200 horses? I wonder if it completed the wind tunnel. Will all I know is spies get ready becuase the next Kia to be caught in spy shots should be this new CUV. And they better take good pictures. I don’t need no far away pictures where you can’t see what design cues it takes after. I need close up and very detailed photos. This UB could have been here to distract the spies from looking at the new CUV. I bet it was about 3 miles behind this UB.
September 16th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Jtz…one day you will have all your questions answered, you’ll read this thread and you’ll smile.
UB is going to look cool!
September 16th, 2010 at 7:12 pm
Hey Squarehole did you see that new EV CUV that Kia wants to bring out next year?
September 16th, 2010 at 7:30 pm
Ok. Back on the UB photos at the top. Before I go on about this, take a look at the Forte, Sorento, Sportage and Soul and compare their sizes to their rivals. Now aren’t most of these Kias in different segments smaller than their rivals? So, why is this so called Rio’s length damn near the Forte’s size? In fact, the rear doors are longer in length than that on the Forte’s. It even appears to have a longer truck which doens’t make any sense. This sedan is bigger LONGER the Forte is with only four lugnuts.
September 16th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Also, I looked back at all the Kias back on spy shots. I looked at all the grilles everyone last one of them. This car has something the Optima and K7 has that the Forte lacks. This doesn’t have a badge on the grille but makes me wonder if it is displayed on the hood. When the Sorento was on spy shots it had an oval on the grille as well as the Sportage and the Forte. But not this, the total grille is totally uncovered. And don’t tell me its because it is still being tested becuase the other Kias that were being tested already had badges on or on the hood of the car. And this thing is almsot (if not) longer than the Forte is.
September 16th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
Its width is also winder than the Forte’s.
September 16th, 2010 at 11:47 pm
LOL!!! I just had my laugh for the day!!! Bigger then the Forte? Have you seen the pictures!?! My sides are aching!!! HAHAHA.
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squarehole, before you open your mouth again, you need to give credentials, because as of now, you are unknown and (I hate to keep using this word) a troll. If you can’t say who you are, what you do, where you are or HOW you know, just shut up, because no one is believing your spew.
September 17th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
squarehole seems to be a big Kia fan with some idea that this is not the new world order Kia Rio, or it’s a European version Rio. Huh? Confusion is being spawned here to a degree. It’s the new Rio to me.
October 8th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
So who’s right? Greg or squarehole?
October 11th, 2010 at 1:27 am
Squarehole doesn’t have anything to back his story. So Greg is right. Besides if you google Kia Product Protfolio plans you can read about the next Rio on that article. But a new thought just came to my mind. Why having’ we seen anymore spy shots of this? Are they finished with it? Wouldn’t it seem that after seeing this Rio for the first time, that Autoblog and Leftlane would be all over lookng to see this again for newer pictures? How on earth can this car escape spy shots after beign caught just once? What if their are other Kia models that also have been outside and never been caught? Kia is up to something I tell you something big, something mean soemthing scary. Something I don’t even know what it is yet. What if the USA version of the K7 has a different face than the one sold in S. Korea? Think about it. Why is it that there are NO photos of the American version Cadenza? Also think about this. Remember back at the NY Auto Show, Peter Schyerer said somethign about againg? Remember he gave the Optima a design that well not go out of style. Therefore, logic suggest that he is working to reduce aging as well. Soooooo, what if their is an all new design Cadenza just for America? If you go to Kia.com, you are not going to see the Cadedenza except for the concept. They do not talk about it. yes sir, I think Kia has given the K7 an all new face when it comes to the states just like I beleive they gave the Optima hybrid an all new face.
October 11th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
yeah its kinda weird that after these initial spyshots….nothing… is it possible kia is planning to change the rio name? this case, squarehole may be right…
October 11th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
Ok, maybe squarehole meant this wasn’t the Rio – by meaning that it was the K2. He never said it wasn’t B-segment. From what I hear, the product development department got negative feedback from random polls – regarding the alpha-numeric crap in the USA. I do hope they change the Rio name to something with less of a negative connotation. (Rio is nearly synonymous with Yugo, lol)
October 11th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
This is so interesting. AA that’s what I’m talking about thinking OUTSIDE the box. What if this isn’t going to get the Rio name? Think about it: Does the K7 have the Amanti name, Does the Forte have the Spectra name so how do we know this is going to get Rio name? Another new thought just came to mind. Why is it that in S. Korea the Kia websebsite displays the Oprius and next to it is the K7 that is between the K5 and the Oprius? Does this mean that the K9 does exsist and that it could have also escaped having its picture taken from Leftlane, Edmunds, Autospies and Autoblog just like the UB? Think about, this picture came from Sony some company in S. Korea, that X’s out Autoblog, Leftlane and Edmunds. This is getting good. AA, you keep on thinking like that because it gets me thinking too.
October 11th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Another new thought just came to mind. Its about that next utility vehiecle bigger than the Sorento is. What do you guys thing it would be called? If the Mohave is the K8, they couldn’t possibly call that the K8 too now could they. I remember a long long time ago, around when I first came to this blog, Peter Schyer said something about he always wanted to build a really big SUV. What if this Sedona thing a ma gig is what he was talking about. Think about it: That van will have hinges instead of stupid sliding doors like the Odessey and that ugly Quest. Sooooooo, maybe just maybe this is a inbetween van and a CUV. Another new thought just came to mind. I think it’s my own subjective but I’ll let you guys figure it out. It starts with the NAMES Ray and Pop. Think about it:. Does Ray start with an R on purpose just like Pop starts with P on purpose. The Rio starts with an R and the Picanto starts with a P. So what if the next Rio takes cues from the Ray and the Picanto takes cues from the Pop? Like I said its my own bias though its not enough to suggest that its true. After all, the the Kue starts with K not S like the Sportage.
October 11th, 2010 at 8:03 pm
“Ok, maybe squarehole meant this wasn’t the Rio – by meaning that it was the K2.” Yeah and no. Think about it. Squarehole did say this isn’t the Rio however, remember a few weeks or months ago, he said a three door RIO and 5 door would come out first? He never said K2 and if the Rio name is known in Europe and N. America, and he knew it was going to have a different name, wouldn’t that be the first thing he would say? And another thing that came to mind, why didn’t he tell us where he got the information from? He never once said if he worked for Kia and why would of all user names Squarehole would be his choice?
October 12th, 2010 at 4:39 am
Maybe kia will have 2 b-segment cars, each for a certain area. Kinda like they have the c-segment Cee’d in Europe, while US and Asia has the Forte…
October 12th, 2010 at 5:23 am
Forget about the Rio. Guess what I read about the Chevy Volt? Will let’s just say that HYBRID’s mpg is no better than the Sonata’s. So if I’m going to get a hybrid, I’ll get the Optima that comes from a Manufactor that don’t lie and say its electric. . The entire 2 years of GM’s bragging and it’s nothing but B.S. Just like the 2009 I mean 2011 Cruze. Why on earth would I pay $41,000 for a four seater hybrid when I can just get the Optima that is over $20,000 less and it seats an extra passenger making it a total of 5. Unlike that Volt that has been revealed wayyy before the Forte was. I can’t wait until Kia’s 11′ Forte, i’ll be ready to tackle that Cruze and that Focus. Also, I just saw the 2012 Civic it still want get noticed. The Forte looks wayyy better. I wonder, whats under the hood of the next Civic? It doesn’t matter, my Forte SX is ready for any future Civic SI. So bring it on HUH-DA!!! Please, Koreans rules in Asia for designs. Besides, Toyota ain’t even getting that sports car that kept bragging about its going to Scion. I also heard it’s supposed to get watered down. Toyota wants to do that because they can sell it at a cheaper price. To me that’s stupid, They just got a facelift TC to go into production. But they can use that sports coupe for Scion’s line up. Hyundai’s Volester well be ready to tackle that thing down too. It’s funny no one but Land Rover and Mini Cooper used those black A pillars until the 2006 Soul arrived…. now all of a sudden the Suzuki Swift, Toyota coupe, Ford Flex, Saab, Veloster, 2011 Nissan Quest, Honda CR-Z and the 2012 Ford Experer is all of a sudden using those same A Pillars. Oh yeah, the next Charger and Durango are nice looking. Unlike the 4 Runner and Avalon. But come on Chrysler why give the 200C the Cruze’s chrome displayed at the rear and it has the K7′headlights.
October 12th, 2010 at 5:27 am
Also, I just saw the next Nissan Versa, Please just because the Versa has the Acura MDX’s headlights want move the Kia UB. I’ll be ready to tackle that thing donw too. So bring it on Knee-san!!! The Sportage is already in production where that Juke Nissan Keeps braging about?
October 12th, 2010 at 7:29 am
the new civic looks the same as the old one…im guessing the engine will be better…
October 12th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
Hey double A did you see the interior of the Civic? I did and it is just so boring. I wonder why Honda didn’t bring the EURO version the the states. That would be more of a challenge to the Elantra.
October 16th, 2010 at 10:52 am
better interiors than the accent…
October 17th, 2010 at 12:16 am
some pretty decent new shots of the Rio/not Rio just popped up the CarBlogger site, any chance this IS the replacement Rio? kinda liking the whole Optima ‘mini-me’ thing myself if it is…
October 17th, 2010 at 4:37 am
Yup. its also shown in accentplanet and woodyscarsite… very nice…
October 17th, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Yup I saw it and let me tell you that thing well be ready for that Yaris and that Fit. I hate to say it….. I really hate to say it but it looks better than the Forte. Look at that animal like face, coming from the Kue, k5, Sportage and the Ray. Just look at those headlights a design within a design just like the K7, K5, Sportage and the KEE. And it has the KEE’s and Ray’s steering wheell. I just hope it does not have all that platic inside like the Forte does. But if it does take it off the upscale version. I like the new Rio and it better be ready to compete with Real B segment cars this time like that WRX. The design looks like the Optima in the face…. and yet it doesn’t. Think about it, the headlights on this and the Optima touch the grille… and yet the UB’s lights are winder and curve more when viewing them from the side. Unlike the the Lexus RX and that Lexus station wagon’s face, that’s easy to do clicking and pasting. Also, the Infinti EX is nothing but a Subaru Legacy hatch it just sits higher that’s easy to do too. Psst, the Traverse’s headlights copied the 2009 Ford Focus’s.
October 19th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
looks like squarehole is just pulling our leg…
October 19th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Obviously. And there will most likely not be a 3 door, only a 5 door.
October 19th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
What no three door? So the “Kia Protfolio Plans” article was lying? So does that mean that the article also lied about that Van with four doors and the K9 sedan and coupe? Becuase they were posted on that article too? I knew squarehole was lying but no 3 door Rio? It would make a great Honda CR-Z rival. Speaking of the CR-Z, its back pillars came from the 1st generation Kia Carens’. They just made the Honda’s rear pillars thicker but it didn’t fool me. I’m jtz, I can get any make and model. Another thought just came to mind? Why isn’t this blog up to date? Think about it? This blog was the first to come to getting information about Kia, but now its like a newspaper, you can find information days and sometimes weeks before it gets on this blog. Heck it doesn’t even have the latest Rio spy shots and its been available for see for 3 days now. That’s a long time for a blog that represents Kia. And when the heck are the Reviews getting updated? This blog used to have new info about Kia daily and now its monthly.
October 19th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
I rememeber when this blog had Kia spy shots before anyone else. Majority of Sorento, Forte and Soul spy shots were found on here before Edmunds, leftlane or Autospies. I remember when Kia-world got information about future Kia products and features before anyone else. I remember, seeing the best of the best Kia spy shots and we used to talk and talk for days. I remember when this blog used to talk about future products weekly. I remember all that. Now its just a follower blog instead of a leader.
October 19th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
It should be called Kia-isolation.net instead.
March 18th, 2011 at 5:22 am
This AIN’T NO RIO. Like the Rio this will have a 5 hatch and 3 door. But I can’t understand the point of selling 6 B segment cars from the same brand.