The 12 Kia Rio -- A Personal Design Fav -- Has Received Two Design Awards
 

Red Dot and IDEA Design Award in the Transportation Category are but two of this beautiful cars collections in the trophy case.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - July 6, 2012

2012 Kia Rio sedan - $13,600 to start and an excellent 30/40 mpgUS city/highway rating.

The Rio is not just Kia’s design transformation come to life, it’s a statement to all manufacturers that your most inexpensive does not have to be dull, lifeless or even pathetic. The highly sculpted exterior penned from Kia’s award winning design team and chief designer, Peter Schreyer is the epitome of great design amongst a sea of also rans. The only vehicle in its segment that even comes close is its ground breaking highlights is its competitive stable mate in the form of the Hyundai Accent.

The 2012 Kia Rio achieved top honors from exclusive design award competitions in both the U.S. and Germany, including the brand's first IDEA Design Award in the Transportation category and a highly coveted Red Dot Design award.

The IDEA Award is a top design award organized by the Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA) and recognizes designs that affect a person's quality of life and economy in 18 categories, including Transportation, Design, Technology, and Design Strategy.

The 2012 Red Dot Design awards are held by the Design Centre of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany and judge on innovation, functionality, ergonomics, durability, ecological compatibility and intuitive handling. Globally, Kia has been awarded six Red Dot awards since 2009 – with the Picanto and Rio winning in 2012, Optima and Sportage winning in 2011, Venga in 2010 and the Soul in 2009.

In a prepared statement, Kia’s Michael Sprague, Exec VP of Marketing & Communications, KMA said the following:

The Rio

Look no further than our CleanMPG Previews the 2012 Kia Rio 5-Door Hatch write-up for all the lusciously inviting details… Which sounds like a piece of tasty dark chocolate cake right? And when you see a 12 Rio and afterwards sit inside, it almost feels like a succulent piece of chocolate cake only it is able to move you from Point A to Point B.

Who said you need a $79,000 Audi A8 to have your cake and eat it too ;)

Re: The 12 Kia Rio -- A Personal Design Fav -- Has Been Awarded Two Design Awards
 

Too bad they apparently amputated some of the cargo space its near-twin the Accent hatch has. For what?

Re: The 12 Kia Rio -- A Personal Design Fav -- Has Been Awarded Two Design Awards
 

Hi RedylC94:

To differentiate it from the Accent while adding a few more design cues in the rear.

Wayne

Re: The 12 Kia Rio -- A Personal Design Fav -- Has Been Awarded Two Design Awards
 

It is cute as a bug for sure. Haven't seen too many Rios 'round these parts, but Accents and Elantras are everywhere (Hyundai dealer just down the street...)

Re: The 12 Kia Rio -- A Personal Design Fav -- Has Been Awarded Two Design Awards
 

I like the Rio hatch more than the Accent hatch because it IS shorter. But I also like the 14" wheels available on the Accent , where the Rio only offers 15" as their smallest.

What to do ?

Re: The 12 Kia Rio -- A Personal Design Fav -- Has Been Awarded Two Design Awards
 

Tirerack.com, or find somebody in an online forum that wants to swap. I've done both.

Re: The 12 Kia Rio -- A Personal Design Fav -- Has Been Awarded Two Design Awards
 

I'm looking at this car for my next purchase. Is there any difference in the 2013?

Re: The 12 Kia Rio -- A Personal Design Fav -- Has Received Two Design Awards
 

Hi Drift200:

For 2013, the Rio 5-door receives steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters as standard equipment. The Rio EX models now offer optional ISG technology (Start-Stop) as part of the Eco Package. The Rio 5-door EX adn SX trims receive a standard cargo under-floor tray improving cargo-area appearance, provides a flatter load floor with hidden storage and according to Kia, reduces noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).

Wayne

Re: The 12 Kia Rio -- A Personal Design Fav -- Has Received Two Design Awards
 

Thanks Wayne.

I'll be getting an LX with a stick. It appears that there is nothing different. My biggest fear was a change in the gearing.

Re: The 12 Kia Rio -- A Personal Design Fav -- Has Received Two Design Awards
 

Hi Drift200:

Gearing and drivetrain were left unchanged so that was a good thing. It still could use taller ratios with the stick but they are not insanely lame like the Fiesta, Fit and Yaris when equipped with the MT. Make sure you post some pics of the Design Award winner if you decide to pick one up!

I am not sure if you are a design buff or not but compared to everything including the highly recommended stable mate in the form of the Accent in the B-Segment class; the Rio was truly well thought out both inside and out. Plus it is very affordable for the standard features it arrives with.

Wayne