Rio retreat! 2024 Kia Rio takes shape, but how long does the Toyota Yaris rival have left on the clock?

This could well be what the next Kia Rio looks like when the South Korean brand unveils the fifth generation of the nameplate as early as this year, but don't expect to see it if you live in Australia.

A new Kia Rio is on the way according to prototype mules seen testing in camouflage recently, but production of the long-running nameplate is set to change, with markets like the UK, mainland Europe, and Australia now off the cards.

Likely to continue in some key left-hand drive markets like North America, the next Rio, which could even take a new name, replaces a generation that's been around since 2016, and facelifted in 2020.

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Chances are it'll take on some of Kia's more modern design language, with the render above produced by Kolesa showing a similar grille treatment to the Cerato hatch or Sorento SUV.

Spy shots also show an updated multimedia screen and driver display situation, with two floating panel screens instead of the traditional dash-mounted multimedia screen and a cowl-covered instrument cluster.

Kia Australia recently confirmed the next generation of Rio won't come here, as the brand focuses more on its Cerato and Picanto in the passenger car segment, but ultimately much more on its SUV range.

"The next-generation Rio will not be produced in right-hand drive," the brand confirmed in a statement.

"The award-winning Rio has been a tremendous car for Kia in the Australian market with 162,494 sold since its debut in mid-2000.

Kia Australia recently confirmed the next generation of Rio won’t come here. (Image: Kolesa.ru)

"While the Rio nameplate will not continue locally, Kia does continue to offer its popular Picanto and Cerato ranges, with new models across various segments currently under study for our market."

In Australia through 2022, Kia sold 4576 Rios, putting it fourth in a shrinking segment of only half-a-dozen proper competitors. The MG3 Sold 16,168 in the same period, and continues to grow its share of the segment.

Kia's smaller Picanto found more success, being the only ‘supermini' hatchback in the country that sells in significant numbers - it made up 5196 sales in a segment that totalled 6415, shared with the discontinued Mitsubishi Mirage and the niche Fiat 500.