First shots of updated Kia Rio surface... is it headed for the States?
Kia Pride/Rio facelift - Click above for a photo gallery
Slowly but surely, Kia's new corporate look is filtering through its entire lineup. We've seen it in play on the Forte range, the Soul, and the updated Sorento so far. Now you can add the entry-level Rio to the list. At least we think you can. The photo above shows the newly-facelifted South Korean domestic-market Kia Pride (the Kia Rio in the U.S. market), which is reportedly set to go on sale shortly. As you can see, the car boasts an revamped front fascia, sporting Kia's dog-bone grille, new lighting, and a rehaped, Ford-like lower air intake. As for the car's tail, we'll have to wait and see -- pics haven't hit the web yet.
Kia-World.net, which was first online with the new shots, also reports that the interior is also revised, featuring a new steering wheel, a mildly reconfigured center stack, updated instrumentation, and a stereo system with integrated Bluetooth connectivity. Will we get this update Stateside as the 2010 Kia Rio? Well, the Rio's certainly due for a freshening, so we don't see why not, especially as the automaker makes a move toward a more unified, distinct styling language. Hat tip to Andy R.
Gallery: 2010 Kia Pride / Kia Rio
[Source: Kia-World.net]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Motor_Yakuza 6:44PM (7/19/2009)
Oh yeah, this car brings "a lot" of Pride to it's owner.
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cj 7:01PM (7/19/2009)
I think it will especially if ur in univ and bought ur first new car as this car.
It shows you that I've worked hard to own a car and don't have a rich dad who buys me whatever I ask him to.
O btw, Kia Pride was a landmark for Kia Motors b/c they were building motor bikes before and this was their first passenger car. Wouldn't that have been a proud moment?
Unless of course, you don't know what hard work means.
Dave 8:09PM (7/19/2009)
Thank you, cj. That needed to be said! Not everyone can afford a brand new Bimmer.
AMcA 1:04AM (7/21/2009)
Is it headed to the States?
Does anyone care?
Torrent 6:47PM (7/19/2009)
Kia introduces new facelifted Polished Turd.
Bring us in a car as good as the Forte (but smaller, given it will replace this) and I'll be such a happy camper.
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Jsams4131 6:57PM (7/19/2009)
if they do..I hope they hit something on the way here and sink deep, deep into the ocean where they can do no harm.
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i.c. weiner 8:40PM (7/19/2009)
i wish you would sink deep, deep into the ocean so we don't have to read your stupid comments
tanooki2003 9:24AM (7/20/2009)
Amen i.c. weiner
Brian 7:00PM (7/19/2009)
They'll beat the Ford Fiesta's ass with this if they bring it here. Not to mention whatever Chevy and Dodge (if Dodge still exists next year) will have in this segment.
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inline6 2:10AM (7/20/2009)
Yeah, um, it's already here. This is just a very light facelift of the nothing-special current model.
FAIL
Taglane 3:54AM (7/20/2009)
Can we vote for dumbest comment of the week?
James 11:43AM (7/20/2009)
@ Taglane
We can't...the dumb comments keep coming.
seppling 7:01PM (7/19/2009)
This car is so uninspired it hurts to look at.
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Farmboy 11:16AM (7/20/2009)
I'm surprised they allow this thing to be on the roads. It is so boring it puts people to sleep behind the wheel.
evilspoons 11:00PM (7/19/2009)
It looks like the current Nissan Sentra, only not as good. I'll pass, and continue to recommend the Mazda 3 to anyone in the small car market.
akboss302 10:08AM (7/20/2009)
Buyers of the Rio aren't cross-shopping Mazda3's, that's what the Forte is for. And after checking out the new Mazda3 for myself, they don't get nice until you spring for the uplevel trims - the seats in the base car are crap. In this segment, this is competing with the Aveo, Accent and Versa.
gerrrg 7:01PM (7/19/2009)
Kia presents Pride and Soul...how ironic.
Reply
EB 7:09PM (7/19/2009)
How is that ironic?
gerrrg 7:14PM (7/19/2009)
Ironic, because the Soul has no design soul, and the Pride has no design pride.
RainCleans 7:47PM (7/19/2009)
A comment itself which is ironic, as you are trying to make fun of Kia for lacking "design soul" while you yourself apparently lack the knowledge that the Soul has already won an award specifically for its design. And as I recall it was the first auto out of S.Korea to win that award.
As for the Rio-here's to Kia for attempting a cohesive visual vocabulary. Now let's talk about Armanti........