RIO YB

About the Rio YB

Kia took the Rio seriously for the first time with the YB and built a subcompact that didn't feel like a compromise. The 1.6-liter Gamma made 130 hp, the 1.0 turbo three-cylinder hit 118 hp with more torque and better efficiency. The chassis was tuned for comfort over sportiness, which was the right call for a city car. Interior quality was the surprise. Soft-touch dash, a 7-inch touchscreen, and materials that held up well. The five-door hatchback looked good, the sedan was clean, and both came with more standard safety features than competitors charging thousands more. The YB Rio was the car that made people stop saying "it's good for a Kia" and start saying "it's just good." The value proposition was so strong that the badge stopped mattering.