Factory-backed Kia Rio Dress-up Accessories

A quality piece of budget-minded transportation, the second-generation Kia Rio and the more versatile Rio5 are hot contenders for young individuals or families. Obtaining 10th place overall in the ACEEE Green Book Greenest vehicles list for 2009 along with other please accolades, the Kia Rio is required to stand out from other vehicle rivals such as the Honda Fit and Nissan Versa in the fierce entry-level subcompact category. In realizing that it needs to make deeper inroads to the subcompact car category, Kia is now offering a channel for Kia Rio owners to broaden their vehicles through authorized dress-up accessories. In 2008, Canadian motorist were treated to a limited edition Kia Rio SX Tuner, which became proof-in-concept that Kia Motors can relate themselves to youth interests.

Provided through Kia dealerships, this Rio add-on equipment not only elevates to styling of the low-frill subcompact but handsomely expands on the Rio's practical attributes.

Kia Rio Exterior Accessories

Until the recent exception of the Kia Soul and Kia Forte, Kia Motors vehicles were void of much flare for exterior character. The Kia Rio is neither severely ridiculed nor gracefully lauded for its non-threatening outer styling. Instead of simply accepting the basic exterior appearance of the Rio, custom made dealer modification parts readily allows for some sizable personalization of the second-generation Rio.

Starting with the front end, the Rio face can either be covered by a car mask (better known as a car bra) or accented by a wind deflector. For the sedan bodied Rio, the deck lid could be topped with a color-matching rear spoiler from the Kia accessories inventory and could bring out some sporty nature. To unleash the maximum potential which Kia intends for the Rio, a sleek body kit can be fitted. Sacrificing just a small amount of the 6.1 inch ground clearance, this enhancement does fall short of tuner magazine quality but succeeds in delivering a playful side to the Kia Rio.

Suited to the work hard, play hard youth lifestyles, the stock Kia Rio might not have the needed cargo space to accommodate the goods of a weekend adventure. Mounting a roof multi-rack allows the transportation of a bicycle or up to six pairs of skis. For more general purpose cargo carrying, a wire shelf is an excellent solution for moving small pieces of furniture or large boxes once they're secured to the shelf.

Finally, targeted more towards the 15 and 16 inch alloy wheels choices on SX models of the Rio, chrome-plated locking wheels nuts as well as valve stem caps featuring the Kia logo could spin on the sedan or the five-door model.

Kia Rio Interior Accessories

Besides the standard equipment of an AM/FM stereo system with USB and audio inputs on all models, the 2009 Kia Rio is a typical budget interior featuring low cost materials. To enhance this normality, metal accessories such as stainless steel door sills introduce a tuner style to the Rio interior. On the SX models of the Rio and Rio5, the driver's feet will move a set of flashy metal pedals. While not available as a factory option on the base and LX Rio models, these same metal pedals can be acquired through participating Kia dealerships as an add-on. Two types of floor mats (carpeted or all-weather) can also be matched to the car.

A good number of Kia interior accessories offer efficient ways to manage rear storage space. Cargo nets, fold-up cargo organizers and a plastic waterproof cargo floor tray can be ordered.

Kia Rio Performance Accessories

With horsepower and 0 to 60 times figuring lowly in Kia's current sale models, there continues to exist little opportunity to inflate the stock numbers greatly beyond the factory. A cat-back exhaust, while providing a throatier engine note, offers the only remote possibility to increase the Rio's 1.6-liter powerplant's performance. Dress up under the engine cover with specialized grounding wires and a strut tower brace provides the Kia Rio with stylish items with some functional benefit.