2017 Kia Rio Review
2017 Kia Rio Review
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Used Rio for sale
Appraise This CarKia Rio model years
Kia Rio types
- Hatchback
- Sedan
See Edmunds pricing data
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Ample standard and optional features
- Long warranty coverage for peace of mind
- engine provides relatively quick acceleration
- Roomy seating for a subcompact
Cons
- Lacks the ride and handling sophistication of rivals
- Base LX's non-telescoping steering wheel
What’s new
For 2017, the Kia Rio is unchanged save for the discontinuation of the SX trim level for the sedan.
Vehicle overview
With the 2017 Kia Rio, you're getting a straightforward subcompact sedan and four-door hatchback. It's a car that's going to get you from point A to point B without issue. But there are some elements that help improve its appeal. The Rio offers more than just the basics by virtue of its stylish design, roomy backseat and long warranty coverage. Factor in the Rio's affordable pricing, and you've got yourself a pretty appealing package.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 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 $4.68 per gallon for regular unleaded in Washington.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Washington
$188/mo for Rio LX
Rio LX
vs
$217/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Every Rio comes with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 138 horsepower. It's one of the more powerful engines in this class, and it gives the car respectably quick acceleration for a subcompact. Fuel economy is a bit less impressive at a maximum of 31 mpg in mixed driving, according to the EPA, but it's good enough to keep your fuel bills low. Our primary complaint is that the Rio lacks the suspension refinement found in some rivals, and its ride and handling characteristics suffer as a result.
If you'd like to check out the Rio's competitors, we'd suggest the sportier Ford Fiesta and Toyota Yaris iA. We're also fond of the well-rounded Chevrolet Sonic and the versatile Honda Fit hatchback. Even measured against these eminently likable models, however, the 2017 Kia Rio is a solid choice if you're looking to simplify your driving experience.
The 2017 Kia Rio comes standard with four-wheel antilock disc brakes, stability control, a hill start assist system, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. Additionally, a rearview camera is available on the EX model and standard on the SX.
In Edmunds brake testing, a Rio SX came to a halt from 60 mph in 124 feet, which is an average distance for this class of car.
Both the Rio sedan and hatchback received a four-star rating (out of a possible five) for overall crash protection in government crash tests, with four stars for front-impact protection and five stars for side-impact protection.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Kia Rio sedan its top rating of Good in the moderate-overlap front-impact crash test, roof strength test and head restraint/seat (whiplash protection) tests. In side-impact crash testing, the Rio received the IIHS' second-highest rating of Acceptable. In the small-overlap front-impact test, the Rio scored the second-worst rating of Marginal.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
The 2017 Kia Rio is a solid pick in the subcompact sedan and hatchback segment. It's not quite as refined as some class-leading rivals, but it might still win you over with its strong engine performance and excellent value.
Driving
Out on the road, the 2017 Kia Rio SX has a less than smooth ride quality mainly due to the larger wheels and firmer sport-tuned suspension. If a more comfort-oriented ride is what you're after, we'd recommend comparing the SX to the EX model to see which you prefer. If, on the other hand, responsive handling is a priority, we think you'll find the SX to be a better bet.
Step on the gas and the 138-hp four-cylinder, which is one of the more powerful engines in this segment, delivers quick-enough acceleration. It's not going to knock your socks off, but for typical driving duty, it's powerful enough. The engine can get noisy at high rpm, such as when you're quickly accelerating to get up to highway speeds.
Interior
Inside, the 2017 Kia Rio offers a roomy cabin. Up front, most drivers should be able to find a comfortable position thanks to the height-adjustable seat and the tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel that's standard on EX and SX models. Rear seat occupants will enjoy accommodations that are pretty spacious compared to some subcompacts.
From a design standpoint, the interior is far from flashy. The EX and SX models do feature good-quality materials, however, including upgraded cloth upholstery and soft-touch trim. As you'd expect from a car whose calling card is simplicity, gauges and controls are straightforward and easy to see and use.
When it comes to cargo room, the sedan offers a good-sized trunk with 13.7 cubic feet of space that can be expanded by way of the 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks. The hatchback offers a decent 15 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and a useful 49.8 cubic feet with those seatbacks folded down.
2017 Kia Rio models
The subcompact 2017 Kia Rio is available as either a sedan or a four-door hatchback. The sedan is offered in LX and EX trim levels, while the hatchback can be had in LX, EX and SX trims.
Standard features on the entry-level LX include 15-inch steel wheels, variable intermittent wipers, heated power mirrors, a rear spoiler (hatchback only), air-conditioning, a height-adjustable driver seat, 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks, a tilt-only steering wheel, a trip computer, a cargo area cover (hatchback only), and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, a USB port and an auxiliary audio input jack.
An available Power option package adds keyless entry and power windows and door locks. Opting for the Power package requires sedan buyers to order the optional automatic transmission, which brings with it Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity. (Hatchbacks come standard with both the automatic transmission and Bluetooth.)
The Kia Rio EX starts with the Power package items and adds 15-inch alloy wheels, foglights, a chrome grille surround, upgraded cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, map lights, dual illuminated vanity mirrors, a soft-touch dash, padded armrests on the front doors, a sliding center console armrest and storage area, Bluetooth connectivity and a six-speaker audio system.
Choosing the Rio EX's optional Eco package results in the loss of that model's standard 15-inch alloy wheels, foglights, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, soft-touch dash, map lights and vanity mirrors. Instead, it adds a fuel-saving automatic engine stop-start system, automatic headlights, a rearview camera and Kia's Uvo 7-inch touchscreen interface. The EX's Designer package includes two-tone black and gray cloth and leather seating with gray accent stitching on the seats, steering wheel, shift knob and armrest plus automatic headlights, a rearview camera and an upgraded audio system with a 4.3-inch touchscreen.
The top-of-the-line SX (hatchback only) includes the Rio EX's standard equipment and adds 17-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, a sunroof, automatic headlights, LED taillights, keyless entry and ignition, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a navigation system, a rearview camera, an upgraded gauge cluster, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and the Uvo infotainment system.
The 2017 Kia Rio is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that sends 138 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. The LX sedan gets a six-speed manual transmission as standard; a six-speed automatic is an option. All other Rio models come with the automatic as standard. In Edmunds testing, a Rio SX went from zero to 60 mph in 9.4 seconds, which is a bit quicker than average time for a subcompact.
EPA fuel economy estimates vary a bit depending on which Rio you get, but expect to get 31 mpg combined (27 city/36 highway) from an EX with the Eco package. This is average fuel economy for the segment, but some competitors are even thriftier.
Kia Confirms Small Electric EV3 SUV Is Coming to the U.S.
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
4 out of 5 stars4/5Excellent
#10 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.$364/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).1.01x/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).9.3%
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.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2017 Kia Rio.
5 star(56%)
4 star(31%)
3 star(7%)
2 star(4%)
1 star(2%)
48 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Great Little Car
Dan 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.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Very Happy So Far
gmmcnair, 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).
4 out of 5 stars
No sense to spend more
Ken, 07/31/2015
2014 Kia Rio LX 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6M)
These are a great little value and all a person needs for the average commute. Most of us drive from A to B for errands and transportation anyway and how can you beat a great running car with low insurance rates and a 10 year warranty to boot. The only negative thing I have to say is that Hyundai/Kia found a way to get another $150 profit by omitting a spare tire and jack so get your … dealer to either include one or sell it to you at cost. They're going to try to convince you that the roadside assistance they give you makes up for it but I can tell you I have sat on the side of the road for hours waiting for these people to show and then many times they can't resolve the issue anyway.
3.88 out of 5 stars
2013 KIa Hatchback
soccer_ref, 09/18/2012
2013 Kia Rio LX 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6M)
Looked for a car to replace 2000 Toyota Echo. Shopping for price, dependability and fuel mileage. Drove Yaris, Prius C, Nissan Sentra but settled on Rio hatchback. Sold on styling both inside and out, price and warranty. Fuel mileage is okay, not special. 38 to 40 mpg is tough to swallow coming from 42 to 45 mpg. Didn't see the Yaris being any better. Prius C was too pricey for what I … wanted. 6 speed manual transmission is good, though the gears are quite close together. Normal driving is easy to skip gears. Bought manual because paying for an automatic is a rip off.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2017 Kia Rio, so we've included reviews for other years of the Rio since its last redesign.
2017 Kia Rio video
2017 Kia Rio Expert Rundown Review
Looking for a subcompact sedan or hatchback that doesn't feel like a penalty box? The 2017 Kia Rio might be the car for you. Here's a quick rundown of what we like, what we don't and the bottom line from the Edmunds editors.
2017 Rio Highlights
Hatchback
LX
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $15,495 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 30 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $188/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 15.0 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Rio include:
- 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%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestMarginal
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalAcceptable
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
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