Kia South Africa’s CEO has hinted at the possibility of the introduction of a new hatchback that he describes as “very much like” the since-departed Rio…
- Kia SA “could bring in” new hatchback
- Rio hatch discontinued in SA in Q1 2024
- New model might be sourced from China
The head of Kia South Africa has revealed to Cars.co.za there’s a possibility the brand’s local distributor will bring in a new hatchback – positioned above the diminutive Picanto – that he describes as being “very much like” the discontinued Rio.
As a reminder, the Rio was phased out in Mzansi back in early 2024, with this B-segment model’s successor not produced in right-hand-drive form. But fresh comments from Paul Turnbull, Chief Executive Officer of Kia South Africa, suggest a replacement of sorts may well be on the cards.
Considering the Pegas sedan is imported into South Africa from China, we asked Turnbull whether there was an opportunity for the Motus-distributed brand to source more models from the world’s 2nd-most populous nation.
“We’re getting very involved with Korea’s [Kia Corporation] head office – we actually had the vice-president in South Africa visiting,” Turnbull said during a wide-ranging interview in Cars.co.za’s custom-built podcast booth at Naamsa’s SA Auto Week 2026 event in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal earlier in October.
“So, we bring Pegas from China. Yes, it’s a big rental player and does well for us all the time. Out of China, they’ve got EV2, EV5 and EV6 that we possibly could look at. But the EV2 they haven’t specced [in] right-hand drive [yet] as it’s mostly left-hand drive at the moment.
“There’s a new hatch that they’re looking to offer to us, that we could bring in. So, like the Rio – not called the Rio – but very much like the Kia Rio was. So, we’re trying to get as much out of China and India – that’s where we seem to get the costings right or the FOB [Freight on Board] right. But we bring only the Pegas from China at the moment; that’s the only one currently,” he told us.
Since Turnbull didn’t name the hatchback, it’s entirely possible the “Rio-like” model in question has yet to be officially rolled out overseas. Still, it’s worth noting the BL7-series Kia K3 has effectively served as the Rio’s global replacement since late in 2023, with the 5-door hatch version measuring 4 295 mm from front to back (some 230 mm longer than the Rio).
However, that model is still seemingly produced exclusively in left-hand-drive form in Mexico and Uzbekistan, with the factory in the latter country building only the sedan version. Similarly, the K3 that is currently manufactured and sold in China comes in sedan form only.
Meanwhile, the current-generation K4 – itself serving as a replacement for the C-segment Cerato that exited the local market back in 2018 – is already produced in right-hand-drive guise and is available in markets like Australia. However, that 5-door hatch is considerably larger and more upmarket than the Rio.
Interestingly, at its 2026 CEO Investor Day in April, the South Korean automaker announced plans to offer European markets a fully electric “B-segment hatchback”, a model that rumours suggest will wear the “EV1” badge.
For the record, Kia registered the “EV1” and “K3” trademarks in South Africa in November 2022 and November 2023, respectively, while its application to protect the “K4” badge was accepted as recently as September 2026, with registration still pending. Meanwhile, the South Korean brand secured the Rio name way back in 2006, rights it still holds today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is Kia introducing a replacement for the discontinued Rio hatchback in South Africa?
A: Kia South Africa CEO Paul Turnbull suggested to Cars.co.za that the brand could be evaluating a new B-segment hatchback that is “very much like” the discontinued Rio.
Q: Why was the Kia Rio discontinued in South Africa?
A: The Kia Rio was phased out of the South African market in early 2024 because its global replacement model was not manufactured in right-hand drive.
Q: Which Kia models are potential candidates for this new Rio-like hatchback?
A: Potential candidates include a right-hand-drive version of the new K3 hatchback or an unrevealed compact hatch designed for emerging markets, with Kia SA focusing on sourcing from China or India to maintain competitive pricing.
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Kia Rio Hatch (2017-2024) Buyer’s Guide
Ryan Bubear
Having written about everything from sport and politics to crime, Ryan eventually settled on motoring. For well over 15 years, he's been penning articles – both online and in print – about the broader automotive industry, though he's particularly fascinated by vehicle-sales statistics. A freelance writer and editor, Ryan has owned a 1971 Austin Mini Mk3 for 20-plus years.
