Just weeks ahead of Australian introduction, three-door versions of Kia’s excellent Rio compact hatchback have gone on-sale in Britain.
As you would expect from a new car created under the auspices of German styling guru Peter Schreyer, the first ever three-door execution of the Kio Rio looks impressive – an almost coupe-like appearance crafted from slim B-pillars and the nicely sculptured sides of the Rio bodywork.
British Kia Rios offer four engine choices all of which are carried over from the five-door models. Petrol powerplants are the 79kW/135Nm 1.4-litre and 103kW/167Nm 1.6-litre units familiar in Australia, but the UK versions add two diesels – a 1.1-litre and 1.4-litre.
British versions also get one extra model grade on top of the three Kia Rio variants sold in Australia (UK customers get a lower grade entry-level model with 15-inch steel wheels etc).
Kia Australia will unveil its upgraded Rio lineup, including the three-door, in a few weeks.
