Carscoops spy photographers have snapped the
2021 Kia Rio out in the open, this time performing some cold weather testing in
Scandinavia. Don’t let the thick camouflage trick you, nor the added layers of
vinyl compared to last time we saw it, because as much as the Korean company
may try to hide it, it’s not a new generation, but a facelift.
Thus, it will soldier on with the same
nuts and bolts of the outgoing iteration, which entered production in 2017. The
only things that should visually set it apart are the revised bumpers and
lighting units at both ends, with rumors claiming that the upper and lower
grilles will slightly grow in size as well. New colors and wheels will likely
round up the changes on the outside.
We have yet to catch a clear glimpse of
the cabin, as our man with the camera couldn’t get close enough to the
prototypes. Nonetheless, we wouldn’t hold our breath for any major upgrades, as
Kia will likely keep it simple, with new upholstery and trims. If there’s one
thing that could change, that’s the infotainment system.
The engine lineup is expected to carry
over and will continue to include small petrol and in markets outside North
America, diesel power units too, available with manual and automatic
transmissions, including a dual-clutch, although we wouldn’t be surprised if
they become friendlier to the environment. Don’t look for the updated Rio at
the 2020 Geneva Motor Show in early March, as Kia is understood to keep it
under wraps a bit longer, perhaps until the end of the year or early 2021.