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Goodbye Kia Rio

The Kia Rio will be phased out of South African in 2023, following a 22-year run on the local market.

Kia South Africa confirmed that the hatchback’s discontinuation is a result of the head company’s decision to no longer produce the car for right-hand drive markets.

Goodbye Kia Rio

In South Africa, the Rio currently has a starting price of R299,995 and is available in four different trim levels – the LS, LX, EX, and Tec.

The most affordable specification is the only one with a 1.2-litre petrol engine paired with a five-speed manual box, while the rest sports a 1.4-litre petrol powerplant and can be had in six-speed manual or auto guise.

The 1.2-litre drivetrain produces 61kW and 120Nm, while the bigger 1.4-litre generates 73kW and 135Nm. The hatchback is also rather economical with a consumption figure of just 5.7l/100km for the manuals, jumping to 6.2l/100km in the self-shifting models.

Acceleration from 0-100km/h then takes around 12 seconds and top speed is pegged at 175km/h.

Standard equipment on the Kia, meanwhile, includes manual air conditioning, six speakers, a multifunction steering wheel, automatic headlights, a 3.5-inch LCD driver display flanked by analogue dials, and an 8-inch infotainment unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Higher-spec models throw in additional luxuries such as a reverse camera, rear park assist, cruise control, and leather upholstery.

Hatchbacks in decline

The loss of the Rio is yet another nail in the coffin for hatchback fans within the last few years.

In 2022 South Africans bid farewell to a number of small cars, including the Ford Figo and Fiesta, Datsun Go, Peugeot 108, Nissan Micra, and electric BMW i3.

The body type has been losing interest thanks in part to the corresponding rise of crossovers, which offer the shape and functionality of an SUV while still retaining the smaller size and affordability of a hatchback.

On a more positive note, there are still popular brands with competitors in the segment such as the facelifted Suzuki Baleno and Toyota Starlet which debuted in 2022, as well as the latest models in the VW Polo and Golf line-ups.

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