2019 Kia Rio range on sale in Australia

Kia Australia has launched its revised 2019 Kia Rio range, with a revised model lineup, a new engine variant and more safety technology than before such as autonomous emergency braking and lane keep assist on the top-spec GT-Line.

Kia Australia has also improved the car’s available drivetrains, with a new 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission standard in the GT-Line, and a new six-speed automatic replacing the previous four-speed unit in the mid-spec Sport.

“The Rio has always been a foundation stone of the Kia brand and remains so with this latest range of improvements,” Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer Damien Meredith said.

“Competition in this segment is extremely tough but we have continued to listen to what our customers and the industry commentators say and made improvements based on that feedback.”

A 2019 model year spruce up rather than a mid-life update or all-new model, the 2019 Kia Rio range has been revised, with the S at the bottom of the range and new Sport and GT-Line models in the middle and at the top. Pricing at the bottom of the range remains $16,990 plus on-road costs, while the mid-range Sport is available from just $17,990 drive away and the GT-Line $21,990 drive away.

Officially priced at $20,398 drive away for the six-speed manual or $17,490 drive away for the four-speed automatic, the 2019 Kia Rio S remains as before, with a 74kW/133Nm 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, as well as 15-inch steel wheels, a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker sound system, a reversing camera, automatic headlights with daytime running lights and a rear USB charging port.

Above the S sits the Sport, which adds 17-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearknob, cruise control and electric-folding mirrors. Kia is offering drive away deals on the Sport, which starts at $17,990 drive away for the six-speed manual – officially $2,408 less than the S manual – and $18,990 drive away for the six-speed automatic.

Manual drivers will note that the Sport manual is a new addition to the Rio range, having been not offered in the pre-updated model. The Sport’s six-speed automatic also replaces the former four-speed unit in the previous Rio Si, though still exists in the S.

At the top of the 2019 Kia Rio range is the new GT-Line, which earns a new 88kW/172Nm 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine, idle stop/start and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission – the first time that Kia has offered a dual-clutch automatic in Australia.

The GT-Line is available from $21,990 drive away, and includes important equipment such as autonomous emergency braking and lane keep assist, as well as sportier exterior and interior trimmings, half cloth and leather upholstery and LED daytime running lights, tailights and front foglamps. Compared with the previous Rio SLi however, the GT-Line does lose satellite navigation and climate control air-conditioning.

2019 Kia Rio pricing:
S six-speed manual: $16,990 ($20,398 drive away)
S four-speed automatic: $17,490 drive away
Sport six-speed manual: $17,990 drive away
Sport six-speed automatic: $18,990 drive away
GT-Line seven-speed dual-clutch automatic: $21,990 drive away

Options:
Premium paint: $520