2012 Kia Rio Sedan
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Finally, pictures of the car we’ll be getting in the US.
Which does look exactly like a sedan version of the great looking hatchback that was unveiled a few weeks ago in Europe.
The new Rio family looks to be a formidable threat to the Ford Fiesta.
And will probably be a little cheaper too.
This is the new Kia K2 sedan. That many of us thought was the Rio sedan.
Based on the Rio, it has its own design and much cheaper interior.
The K2 is not for the US.
you want to talk great all new low priced sedans. I just drove the all new versa on to the stage at 10:40 EST in NY at the auto show. Yes, I'm here and I was in the car. I work for them. Anyhow, The new Versa has been unveiled. Larger inside than a BMW 5 series. High Quality interior, new smaller, lighter cvt that has aggressive acceleration and a 15% fuel economy improvement. It's equivalent to a 7 speed automatic, yet it's about 1/5 the size and weight. This new Versa will sell volumes and it will compete head on with new Jetta.
Too bad the new Versa is fugly as sin.
Other than the green cloud of radioactive haze obviously put in by the overzealous photographer, this is one great-looking car at any price.
What does this have to do with the Kia? The Versa is one of the ugliest cars on the planet and the new version is not much better
What's not to like about an Optima Mini?
Nice Work Kia!
The new Versa looks like it has a cheaper interior than the one before it and it's bloody ugly. All gray plastic on the doors?! Even the handles? It's embarrassing.
There is no way it competes against the Jetta except for in biased Nissan crazy corporate land. Nissan makes some good cars but the Versa is clearly not one of them.
Not exactly an original design anymore, but an excellent extension of the family genes (Optima) into a smaller size–and very well proportioned for it's size.
In this case, it even tops Hyundai's version. This new Rio has a look of class and being comfortable in it's own skin (something few smaller cars can claim.)
The Rio looks fantastic. I want to puke on the Versa. The Rio will sell like crazy. The Versa won't.
Okay.
When Vince posted a pic of the K2, I was unconvinced about how the Optima styling translated to a smaller package. I am no longer on the fence: where the K2 fails, the Rio excels (illusions to Hyundai unintended). For some reason, the proportions and details work better on the Rio to my eye.
But maybe it's just me…
This new Rio will make life a lot tougher for Fiesta and Cruze.
"Nissan Spyking said…
you want to talk great all new low priced sedans. I just drove the all new versa on to the stage at 10:40 EST in NY at the auto show. Yes, I'm here and I was in the car. I work for them. Anyhow, The new Versa has been unveiled. Larger inside than a BMW 5 series. High Quality interior, new smaller, lighter cvt that has aggressive acceleration and a 15% fuel economy improvement. It's equivalent to a 7 speed automatic, yet it's about 1/5 the size and weight. This new Versa will sell volumes and it will compete head on with new Jetta.
April 20, 2011 8:38 AM"
The new Versa is hideous, and CVTs are terrible. Who cares about it? I certainly don't.
This new Kia is going to be awesome, with its 1.6 GDI and 138HP. That is incredible for a B-segment vehicle.
I am a proud car enthusiast . I am partial to Nissans. I have an old 240. Nissan has a great heritage. I will buy one of these gems as a daily runner for sure. It reminds me of the Datsun B210. I will never even mention Korean garbage in the same sentence as a company like Nissan. Oh wait I just did, but u must all agree, no korean car should be compared to world champion Nissan!.
This will KILL the Fiesta and the Sonic.
The rear looks like the 2012 focus a bit, but I don't care.
What I don't understand are the non cosmetic differences between this and the K2.
Maybe they will sell these side by side somewhere and the Rio will be the K3?
"Anonymous said…
I am a proud car enthusiast . I am partial to Nissans. I have an old 240. Nissan has a great heritage. I will buy one of these gems as a daily runner for sure. It reminds me of the Datsun B210. I will never even mention Korean garbage in the same sentence as a company like Nissan. Oh wait I just did, but u must all agree, no korean car should be compared to world champion Nissan!.
April 21, 2011 6:52 PM"
Nissan is garbage, and they inflate their sales figures with MASSIVE fleet sales. Good cars sell by themselves.
The GTR and the 370Z are the only two vehicles that Nissan manufactures that is worth a damn.
I'm a little surprised that the Rio sedan is the one coming to the US.. seems to me the K2 is more along the styling lines of the popular new Optima, and the Rio styling looks a little too sporty/insubstantial next to it.