Kia has announced an update to the fourth generation Kia Rio.

The updated car retains Kia's iconic 'tiger-nose' grille, narrowed for a more focused appearance and matched by a lower, wider front bumper and distinctive new fog lamp housing. All models now feature new full LED headlamps with integral running lights. Two new exterior colours are also introduced with the upgraded model, Perennial Grey and Sporty Blue.

The updated car now gets Kia's EcoDynamics powertrain, which pairs the Smartstream 1.0-litre turbocharged gasoline direct injection engine with Kia's 48V mild hybrid system, maximising fuel efficiency with electric torque assistance and regenerative braking.

The new Smartstream engine replaces the Rio's earlier Kappa 1.0-litre T-GDi, and is equipped with Kia's advanced Continuously Variable Valve Duration technology, enabling the engine to switch seamlessly between different combustion cycles. The peak torque output for 118bhp variant is now 200Nm as a result, a 16% increase over the Kappa engine.

The upgraded Kia Rio also features major revisions to its existing range of gasoline engine options, maximising efficiency, lowering CO₂ emissions, and improving driveability. On top of the EcoDynamics+ models, the Rio lineup is now offered in Europe with a choice of Smartstream gasoline engines - the new 99bhp 1.0-litre T-GDi engine, and a new version of Kia's naturally aspirated 1.2-litre engine, with innovative Dual Port Injection technology and a power output of 83bhp.