2013 Kia Rio Review
Price: $11,599





+33
For sale nearby
27 listings
- $6,500good price$1,307 below market
- 85,618 miles
- 1 accident, 2 owners, personal use only
- 4cyl automatic
- Haley Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (105 mi away)
- Bluetooth
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
- Trip Computer
- Rear Bench Seats
Close
Located in Richmond, VA
*Vehicle pricing excludes tax, title, tags, $799 processing fee, and $319 fee for theft protection etch.*
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
31 Combined MPG (28 City/36 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KNADM4A3XD6294674
Stock: 3A37961A
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 12-13-2024 - $11,998
- 44,043 miles
- 1 accident, 1 owner, personal use only
- 4cyl automatic
- CarMax Charlottesville (86 mi away)
- Free delivery available*
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
- Trip Computer
Close
Located in Charlottesville, VA
CarMax values transparency and wants you to love your next car, not settle on it. Certain vehicles may have unrepaired safety recalls. Check nhtsa.gov...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
31 Combined MPG (28 City/36 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KNADN5A39D6186484
Stock: 26415677
Certified Pre-Owned: No - $10,998
- 86,074 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 4cyl automatic
- CarMax Virginia Beach (169 mi away)
- Delivery available*
- Bluetooth
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
- Trip Computer
- Rear Bench Seats
Close
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
CarMax values transparency and wants you to love your next car, not settle on it. Certain vehicles may have unrepaired safety recalls. Check nhtsa.gov...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: Yes
Features and Specs:
31 Combined MPG (28 City/36 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KNADN5A3XD6208363
Stock: 26390322
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Stylish inside and out
- ample standard and optional features
- high-quality interior materials on EX and SX
- long warranty
- strong acceleration
- feels bigger than it is.
Cons
- Lacks the ride/handling sophistication of its American rivals.
What’s new
For 2013 the Kia Rio EX can now be equipped with automatic stop-start technology for improved fuel efficiency around town. The Rio SX gets standard steering wheel paddle shifters for the automatic transmission.
Edmunds says
On the basis of its inviting cabin, generous equipment list and strong engine performance, the 2013 Kia Rio is a solid pick in the subcompact segment. It doesn't ride or handle particularly well, though, so its rivals might suit you better.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2013 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.05 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$117/mo for Rio LX
Rio LX
vs
$158/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
These days it seems as if cars are being radically transformed from woefully forgettable to wowie class leaders all the time. Most of these transformations, however, come attached to a name change to ensure that no residual bad taste is left in the mouths of potential buyers. Nevertheless, the 2013 Kia Rio bucks this trend, standing proud with a name previously associated with one of the cheapest and crummiest cars on the road (not to mention Brazil and Duran Duran).
Since its redesign last year, the Rio has become one of the best subcompact cars you can buy. It starts with the car's styling, which is not only timelessly handsome but also manages to avoid the awkward proportions associated with other tiny sedans. Tiny is a relative term, however, as full-size adults can still fit comfortably in all the outboard positions of the Rio's four-door sedan or hatchback body. Plus, with its high-mounted dash and reasonably quiet cabin, the Rio feels much bigger than it is when you are behind the wheel.
This Kia can also seem more expensive than it really is. While the LX trim is rather bare bones, the EX and SX step things up with higher-quality cabin materials and near-luxury levels of equipment. Every time we've driven a Rio, we've been amazed when the window sticker shows a price lower than $20,000. Ultimately, the only real knock against the Kia Rio is its ride and handling. Although it's a vast improvement over previous Rios, this car doesn't feel particularly sharp going around corners, nor does it have the most refined highway ride. If a spirited driving experience is important to you, it's a good idea to try a few different subcompact cars before deciding on the Rio.
And the Rio is certainly not alone when it comes to radically improved subcompact sedans and hatchbacks. The Hyundai Accent is mechanically related to the Rio and offers similar value, but differs in equipment availability and styling. The Chevy Sonic is one of the more fun-to-drive subcompacts, especially with its turbocharged engine that still achieves standout fuel economy. The Ford Fiesta's sophisticated balance of ride and handling helps make it another of our top choices. The Honda Fit is also worth a look if you prioritize interior space and versatility.
Quite frankly, never have subcompact cars been so genuinely desirable. Although we wish the 2013 Kia Rio was a bit more enjoyable to drive, it's still a good choice if you're looking for a small, inexpensive car with a livable equipment list, a dash of style and the occasional ability to cart around three friends.
Performance & mpg
The 2013 Kia Rio is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 138 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the LX, while a six-speed automatic transmission is optional on the LX and standard on the other trims. The EX Eco package adds the fuel-saving automatic stop/start technology.
In Edmunds testing, the Kia Rio SX hatchback went from zero to 60 mph in 9.7 seconds, while an SX sedan reached 60 in 9.4 seconds -- about a second quicker than the class average in either case.
Fuel economy estimates stand at 28 mpg city/36 mpg highway and 31 mpg combined for the automatic. The EX Eco package for the automatic bumps the estimates to 30/36/32, while the manual rates 29/37/32.
Safety
Every 2013 Kia Rio comes standard with four-wheel antilock disc brakes, stability control, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. A rearview camera is available.
In Edmunds brake testing, a Rio SX hatchback came to a stop from 60 mph in just 119 feet, while the SX sedan needed 124 feet -- again, better than average for the class. In government crash testing, the Rio received four out of five stars for overall protection, with four stars for frontal protection and five stars for side protection.
Driving
As we've only driven SX versions of the Rio, these impressions pertain mostly to that trim, which provides larger wheels and tires, and firmer suspension tuning than the LX and EX models. The Rio SX is competent around turns, but it's definitely not the best handling car in this class. In addition, the Kia's ride is choppy bordering on harsh depending on the condition of the pavement. If you're looking for a small car that feels a little more sophisticated in the way it rides and handles, the Chevy Sonic and Ford Fiesta are both worth a look.
Given that midsize family sedans are now approaching 300 hp, it's hard to get excited about the 138-hp 2013 Kia Rio. Even so, its direct-injected four-cylinder is one of the more robust in its class and delivers impressive acceleration for a subcompact. It can get a bit noisy, and while the engines of other subcompacts make a noticeable amount of noise, the timbre of the Rio's is particularly thrashy.
Interior
The Kia Rio's cabin boasts a restrained yet stylish design that evokes German cars. The materials quality is nothing special in the base LX, but the added soft-touch surfaces, armrest cushioning and tasteful metallic accents found in the upper trims make the Rio's cabin one of the finest in the subcompact segment. We highly encourage you to go that extra mile to get an EX or SX, especially since they come with a truly impressive amount of equipment.
The climate and audio controls are easy to use, while the available Uvo voice-activated electronics interface is another nice bonus. Although we've found its voice recognition abilities aren't quite to the level of Ford's Sync, its accompanying touchscreen interfaces are more user-friendly than the buttons and screens found in Ford's Fiesta and Focus.
The Rio also scores in the areas of space and comfort. Even tall drivers should be comfortable behind the available tilt-and-telescoping wheel, while the backseat offers a competitive amount of space. Count this as another subcompact that doesn't feel all that subcompact. When it comes time to carry cargo as well as passengers, the sedan has a generous 13.7-cubic-foot trunk. For maximum stuff-hauling potential, though, you'll want to consider the hatchback, which measures about 50 cubic feet with the seats down. That's less than a Honda Fit, but more than a Ford Fiesta.
2013 Kia Rio models
The 2013 Kia Rio is a subcompact car available as a four-door sedan and a four-door hatchback. Trim levels are LX, EX and SX.
The base LX comes standard with 15-inch steel wheels, heated power mirrors, air-conditioning, a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-only steering wheel, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, a trip computer, and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and an iPod/USB audio interface. The LX Power package adds power windows, power locks and keyless entry.
The EX trim level includes the above equipment and adds to it cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, upgraded cloth upholstery, a sliding front armrest, Bluetooth phone connectivity and a six-speaker sound system. The EX Convenience package adds 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, foglamps, power-folding mirrors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, map lights, upgraded interior materials, a rearview camera, a small touchscreen interface and the Uvo voice-activated media player interface. To that package the EX Eco package includes automatic stop/start, which shuts the car down when stopped to save fuel.
The SX trim level includes the EX Convenience package items, plus 17-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, LED running lights and taillights, dual exhaust tips and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The SX Premium package adds a sunroof, keyless ignition/entry, heated front seats, leather upholstery, a navigation system, real-time traffic and a larger touchscreen interface.

2025 Honda Civic Hybrid vs. 2025 Kia K4 vs. 2024 Toyota Corolla Hybrid: 3 Affordable Compacts, but Which Is Best?

Edmunds Tested: Electric Car Range and Consumption

Kia EV9: Edmunds Top Rated Electric SUV 2025

Ford Explorer vs. Honda Pilot vs. Kia Telluride: Which 3-Row SUV Is Right for You?
Compare 2013 Kia Rio trim levels
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
4 out of 5 stars4/5Excellent
#14 out of 27 among Subcompact Cars
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Kia Rio from 2008-2022.$333/yr
vs. $416/yr
for Average Subcompact Car
for Average Subcompact Car
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).1.18x/yr
vs. 1.22x/yr
for Average Subcompact Car
for Average Subcompact Car
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).9.9%
vs. 10.1%
for Average Subcompact Car
for Average Subcompact Car
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Kia Rio Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(61%)
4(30%)
3(0%)
2(6%)
1(3%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Great Little Car
5 out of 5 starsDan Ferguson, 05/02/2016
2013 Kia Rio LX 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6A)
I love this car. My wife and I bought it about 1 year ago used and it has not given us any trouble. Had 21000 K miles on it when we bought it and we've now got 37000 K miles now. Will be giving this to our daughter, though as she just finished med school and needs a reliable little car where she lives. Shipping it to her today. Got the LX package and it didn't have a few items that … I added. For one thing, it had no cruise control, but there's an OEM change that you can do through your steering wheel to add it. Works like a charm. Would not hesitate to buy again.
Very Happy So Far
4.5 out of 5 starsgmmcnair, 08/29/2014
2013 Kia Rio LX 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6A)
I bought my Rio LX hatchback a little over a month ago. I have the 6 speed automatic, and just about nothing else as far as extras. I am not into fluff on cars, but this one is nicely equipped and has all the amenities that one needs in a basic daily driver.
The little 1.6 liter engine is spirited off the line (slows down a little bit after that), and gives me decent numbers. I drive in … a lot of heavy, stop and start, traffic, and I get about 26-28 mpg overall. Highway mileage hovers around 40....this is without the active ECO button engaged (turns the car into a slug).
Excellent fuel Mileage/Premium Options
4 out of 5 starsNathan Wood, 11/28/2020
2013 Kia Rio SX 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6M)
This is a review after 11 months of ownership. Overall, the Rio SX Hatchback 6M is a really great car. It would have 5 stars If it had better long term durability and less weird quirks. I'm the second (or third) owner of my Rio, and it needed a new clutch at 90k miles (I've seen/heard of cars going much longer with their clutch). The clutch is a wear part, but Kia is perfectly capable of … using more durable material in the clutch plate surfaces. There are other quirks such as the GPS touchscreen which has a software glitch where no matter how many times you recalibrate it will never be properly aligned; it can only be fixed by $700 replacement (according to local dealer service center). So the GPS, while its features are good and it works well once you're on your way, it's a pain in the neck to use because it's so difficult to get the touchscreen to work. At 90k miles, the interior does show wear in the driver's seat and controls, but what car this price point and segment doesn't?
On to the good stuff:
With the 6 spd manual, the Rio gets supremely good fuel economy; averaging 34mpg overall with 29-32 mpg in the city, and up to 40mpg on the highway (inversely related to speed). The excellent 1.6L GDI engine is mated to a pretty decent 6 spd manual; the only thing I don't like is that 1st gear is so short while 2nd gear is so tall that with spirited driving the car falls flat on its face from first to second. However, I think this is a result of tuning for economy and not outright acceleration. It would be perfect if 2nd gear we're shorter. I've come to accept that quirk, though. Despite that, it's still a ton of fun to row through the gears, and having six speeds means you will be more actively engaged with the car and its motion. Also, from stock, this is probably the friendliest
manual gearbox for young driver looking forore control! The shifter is super light and easy to move. I prefer weighty firm shifting so I installed a custom stainless steel shift knob from Raceseng.com (look for Hyundai Veloster gear; same vehicle platform).
The steering, while utterly numb, is relatively responsive and suits the nature of the car. This is a design philosophy taken from premium brands where numbness is mistaken for smoothness. Good steering communicates road surface and keeps you more informed. The Rio steering rack works, but I wish I could feel more of the road. Again, can we really expect it at this price point?
The suspension, an area crucial for hot-hatch style driving, is surprisingly compliant, while keeping the car decently connected to the road, and it will let you pitch the car into a corner! This adds a nice dynamic to the 6 speed gearbox when you downshift into second, rev match, and power through a corner. Road noise is a bit louder, but sound dampening material is heavy and doesn't make sense in this kind of car. The Rio exceeds expectations for handling!
The SX comes with 205/45R17 tires, but the 17 inch wheels will receive wider rubber up to 215/45R, which gives more options for nicer, more grippy tires (I have Firestone Firehawk A/S performance tires for Michigan). My car has faulty tire pressure monitor (YMMV), which may have just been installed improperly, but holds air just fine.
Finally, a quirk that I like about the design is that depending on the angle, this car looks sleek with the cateye headlights and it looks wayore muscular that it has any business doing with the bulging wheel wells and the chonky 5-spoke wheels. It's almost as if Kia thought about making a hot-hatch version of the Rio, but that would compete too well with the Hyundai Veloster built on the same platform. Gear head Tip: some of the performance parts are interchangeable.
Maybe this review of overkill, and maybe some people won't read it all, but if you did, thanks for reading and hope you feel more informed about the Rio.
Excellent value!
4 out of 5 starsOscar, 04/03/2016
2013 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 6A)
I bought my Kia Rio LX Sedan brand new in 2013 for about $15,000. I have the automatic transmission and also added the "Power Package" (Power Windows and Power Door Locks with keyless remote). The car has been absolutely great! I commute 100 miles per day, mostly on the Interstate. In 3 years time, I put more than 65,000 miles on the car. I have had zero issues, no repairs, no recalls. I … change the oil every 5,000 miles and that is the only time I see the dealer.
For a small car like the Rio, I am really impressed how comfortable it is on the Interstate. My cruising speed is usually around 85 MPH and tire noise, engine noise and wind noise are very low. No rattles or squeaks inside the cabin either. Car manufacturers do not make big profits on sub-compact cars and as a result most of them not only make the cars small, they also make them cheap (save money on sound insulation, thin glass, etc.). Not the case with this Rio!
My average gas mileage is about 37 MPG and I am sporty driver. I must say my commute is 90% Interstate. City driving definitely requires more gas. You can actually get 40 MPG on the Highway if you stick to the 75 MPH speed limit and don't drive with a heavy right foot. I never use the "eco" button. Just makes the car sluggish.
Compared to other small cars, this Rio is nicely equipped. It has a relatively large wheelbase, which means it is pretty stable on the Interstate. If you push it over 100 MPH, stability suffers a bit but by that time you are also going way over the speed limit (unless you live in Germany). No other reviewer has mentioned this, but the Rio also has excellent brakes. It does not have cheap drum brakes in the rear like most competitors. Instead, it has discs all around. Stopping power is awesome.
I did not pay the extra money for the EX version, but instead I got the accessories I wanted on Ebay and installed them myself (i.e. fog lights, chrome grille, mudguards). I even put a trailer hitch on it, so I can use a bike carrier. The Rio does not come with a spare tire, only a compressor and tire repair kit/foam. So I bought the spare tire kit as well. One of the features the LX did not have, was cruise control. However, the computer in the car already has the cruise control software and the throttle is "fly by wire". So all you need to do is buy an EX-steering wheel and install it in your LX...and that gives you the cruise control buttons!
I plan to keep the Rio for many more years. It is nice to know that the engine is using a timing chain, so you don't have to worry about a belt that needs to be replaced every 60,000 miles. The transmission is a "sealed unit" and according to the manual, you do not have to replace the transmission fluid...ever. I'm not sure if I believe that, and my dealer recommends changing the fluid at 90,000 miles. I will probably do that.
The automatic transmission is actually pretty smooth and quick. I use it in "manual/sport mode" all the time, so I can determine my own shift points. The engine is impressively powerful for just a 1.6 liter 4-cylinder. It does not make it a sports car, but the Rio does not weigh much and if you are willing to rev the engine a bit it is pretty quick!
The last thing I want to say is that the styling of the Rio is best in class. I know taste is personal, but many sub-compact cars are just ugly. Go look at a Tpyota Yaris, or Nissan Versa, Ford Fiesta, etc... the proportions just don't look "right". The Rio on the other hand is really a good looking car!
Overall I am very impressed with this little car. It is great value for money!
Oh, and it has a 10-year 100,000 mile warranty (but you will probably never need it).
2013 Rio Highlights
Sedan
LX
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $13,600 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 32 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $117/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13.7 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Rio include:
- Back-up camera
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
NHTSA Overall Rating
4 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall4 / 5Driver4 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat4 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover11.6%
People who viewed this also viewed
4.5 average Rating out of 13 reviews. |
Starting at $19,990 |
4.4 average Rating out of 7 reviews. |
Starting at $36,690 |
4.8 average Rating out of 4 reviews. |
Starting at $38,340 |
Related Used 2013 Kia Rio info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- BMW Z4 2021 Review
- GMC Savana Cargo 2021 Review
- Nissan Pathfinder 2020 Review
- Jaguar F Pace 2021 Review
- Hyundai Ioniq Electric 2021 Review
Shop similar models
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Kia Rio 2010
- Used Kia Rio 2011 For Sale
- Used Kia Rio 2012
- Used Kia Rio 2013
- Used Kia Rio 2014
- Used Kia Rio 2015
- Used Kia Rio 2016
- Used Kia Rio 2017
- Used Kia Rio 2018
- Used Kia Rio 2019
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- Toyota Grand Highlander
- Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
- Tellurides
- Corvette C 5
- Toyota Sequoia V8
- Ford F 1 50
- Used Subaru Outback
- SUV Chevy Tahoe
- Mustang MK1
- Hyundai Santa Fe Cruz
Research other models of Kia
- Seltos Kia
- 2024 Sportage
- 2024 Kia Niro
- Kiaev9
- Kia Ev6
- Kia K4 2025
- Niro Phev
- 2024 Forte
- Kia Niro Plugin Hybrid
- Kia Sorento Hybrid SUV
Research similar vehicles
Other models
- Used Audi E-Tron-Gt in Drexel Hill, PA
- New Cadillac XT4 for Sale in Smyrna, DE
- New Kia Telluride for Sale in Streamwood, IL
- New Toyota Gr-Supra for Sale in Fort Lauderdale, FL
- New Ford Mustang for Sale in Mahopac, NY
- Used Volvo 850 in Athens, OH
- Used Audi RS-Q8 in Los Altos, CA
- Used Bentley Bentayga in Webster, NY
- New Audi Q7 for Sale in Olympia, WA
- Used Pontiac G5 in Harrington, DE