2021 Kia Rio near Rio Rancho NM is Practical and Fun to Drive

The convention breaking 2021 Kia Rio near Rio Rancho NM was designed to pack sophisticated style into a sensible subcompact. With its lively inline 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, and low price tag, the Kia Rio is fun to drive as well as practical.

For the 2021 model year, the fourth-generation Kia Rio has been given a mid-cycle facelift to keep it looking fresh. Compared to the 2020 model, the upgraded 2021 Kia Rio near Rio Rancho NM features a refreshed front design with a narrower tiger-nose grille and full LED headlights with integral running lights. Overall, the design has been simplified for a sleeker look. Two new exterior colors are also available with the upgraded model (Perennial Grey and Sporty Blue) along with a new eight-spoke 16-inch alloy wheel design.

Inside, a host of interior and technological upgrades create a more upscale cabin, including a new 8-inch wide screen for the infotainment system, and a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster with a higher resolution. A new blue color pack brightens up the interior with colored seat bolsters, dashboard and door armrests, which is matched with contrast stitching. GT-Line models are also available with a black single-tone interior with white contrast piping and stitching on the seats, and a striking carbon fiber-effect dashboard. In addition, standard and GT Line models are now equipped with driver and optional front passenger seat height adjustability.

Changes to the 2021 Kia Rio near Rio Rancho NM

The biggest change, however, can be found under the hood. The Rio is the first Kia powered by a mild-hybrid setup that pairs Kia's new Smartstream 1.0-liter turbocharged gasoline direct injection engine with a 48V MHEV system that increases the fuel efficiency with electric torque assistance and regenerative braking.|

This is the same system that was recently introduced in the new Hyundai i20. Like the previous model, this setup has an output of 100 hp and 120 hp, but peak torque has increased by 16% for the 120-hp variant to 147 lb-ft. This new powertrain also reduces CO2 emissions by between 8.1 percent and 10.7 percent based on NEDC ratings.

In addition to the mild-hybrid setup, the 2021 Kia Rio near Rio Rancho NM is offered with a new 100-hp 1.0-liter T-GDi engine and a new version of Kia's naturally aspirated 1.2-liter engine with 84 hp. As standard, the turbocharged engine is offered with a 6-speed manual transmission or an optional 7-speed auto dual-clutch transmission.

Kia has also upgraded the Rio's Idle Stop & Go system to offer even more fuel savings by switching off the engine when both the brake and clutch pedal are depressed when the car stops. The engine switches back on when both pedals are released and the car re-engages the driver's selected gear. This system was linked to the clutch previously, but is now brake-linked.

New driver safety assists include: 

 

• the newest version of Kia's Forward Collision Avoidance System 

• Available Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist 

• Intelligent Speed Limit Warning 

• Smart Cruise Control

• Lane Following Assist 

• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist

• Rear Occupant Alert

 

The 2021 Kia Rio hatchback will likely go on sale in Europe in the fall of 2020, but the availability of the updated US sedan version of the 2021 Kia Rio near Rio Rancho NM will be announced at a later date.