The fourth-generation Kia Rio has gone on sale in the UK, priced from £11,995 OTR.

Kia Rio ‘First Edition’ grade 1.0 T-GDi Blaze Red

Previewed at the Paris Motor Show last autumn, the new model brings increased space, new engines with improved fuel efficiency and the introduction of advanced connectivity features.

The new Rio will be sold in just the five-door version, with the three-door axed due to lack of demand.

Three trim levels are offered, following Kia’s usual 1, 2 and 3 designations, plus a limited-run First Edition model priced at £17,445.

Standard kit includes air conditioning, front electric windows, remote locking, heated and folding door mirrors, a 3.8-inch display screen, Bluetooth, automatic light control, bi-function projection headlamps and cornering lights and LED daytime running lights. The interior brings steering wheel-mounted audio controls and a four-speaker audio system and the Rio also features Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Hill-start Assist Control.

Grade 2 is priced from £13,745 and adds in features including 15-inch alloy wheels, rear electric windows, a digital DAB radio, a 5-inch colour display screen, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors, a cruise control with a speed limiter and Autonomous Emergency Braking and Lane Departure Warning systems.

Grade 3, which starts at £16,295, brings additional features including 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning with a defogging system, black faux leather upholstery, a 7-inch display screen, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing front wipers, satellite navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity and Bluetooth with voice recognition.

The First Edition version adds 17-inch alloys, a smart key entry system and engine start/stop button, stainless steel pedals, black and red faux leather upholstery and LED rear lights.

Engine line-up sees the addition of Kia’s 1.0-litre T-GDi (Turbocharged Gasoline Direct-injection) engines for the first time – available with either 99 or 118bhp and delivering official combined fuel consumption of 62.8mpg and 102g/km and 60.1mpg and 107g/km respectively.

They join revised versions of Kia’s 1.25-litre and 1.4-litre petrol engines, and two versions of the 1.4-litre CRDi turbodiesel with 76bhp and 89bhp, which deliver 92g/km and 98g/km emissions respectively with official combined fuel consumption figures of 80.7 and 74.3mpg.

Transmission cover five and six-speed manuals with a four-speed automatic available on the 1.4-litre petrol. All manual versions have Kia’s Intelligent Stop & Go (ISG) come with stop-start system.

Other new highlights of the model include an all-new platform that brings a 10mm-longer wheelbase and 15mm-longer body, resulting in increased leg and shoulder room – among the best in class – and extra boot capacity – up by almost 13% from 288 litres to 325 litres.

The new Rio also brings updated suspension to enhance comfort and driver enjoyment.

First deliveries start from next month.