With sales up more than 35 percent through the end of November, Kia is one of the fastest-growing brands in the industry, and the automaker pins much of that success on the recent “design-based transformation” of its lineup. The experts behind the annual GOOD DESIGN awards would probably agree, too: After all, they recently honored the Kia Rio5 with one of the world’s most prestigious awards for new product design.
The Rio 5 is Kia’s all-new small hatchback, introduced earlier this year and putting a fresh spin on Kia’s signature design cues, including a modified “Tiger Shark” grille, a particularly dynamic headlamp design, a large front air intake, and a sculpted, wedge-shaped exterior that boasts the aggressive lines and athletic proportions that are hallmarks of the new Kia family. That same attention to design detail also is evident in the Rio5’s cabin, where touches like a driver-oriented gauge cluster and two-tone color scheme create a sporty yet spacious interior.
“GOOD DESIGN” is an appropriate description of the Rio 5’s powertrain as well. Thanks to technologies like gasoline direct injection and a choice of two high-efficiency six-speed transmissions—one manual, one automatic, both developed in-house by the automaker—the Rio 5 offers both a best-in-class 138 hp and best-in-class fuel efficiency of up to 30 mpg city/40 mpg highway/34 mpg combined.
And the Rio 5 wasn’t the only Kia vehicle to earn one of these prestigious awards: The Kia KV7 concept vehicle, first shown at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, also received a GOOD DESIGN recognition for its futuristic and stylish reinterpretation of a large crossover vehicle, complete with gullwing-style doors.
The Kia Rio 5—and its sibling, the Kia Rio sedan—are on sale now.
Given annually to recognize designers “for advancing new, visionary, and innovative product concepts, invention and originality, and for stretching the envelope beyond what is considered ordinary product and consumer design,” the GOOD DESIGN awards are presented by the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, in tandem with the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
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