2018 Kia Rio
Pros
- Sporty handling makes it entertaining to drive
- Solid build quality for such a price-conscious car
- Long warranty coverage for peace of mind
- Hatchback model has class-leading cargo space
Cons
- Sedan has subpar cargo space
- Base LX and S have a non-telescoping steering wheel
- Standard equipment is a bit bare-bones
2018 Kia Rio pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Which Rio does Edmunds recommend?
Edmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
4 / 5Available as a hatchback or sedan and in three, easy-to-understand trim levels, the redesigned 2018 Kia Rio is a subcompact car that is simple yet sophisticated. On the outside, it has an all-new look that is grown-up and stylish. On the inside, the Rio is well-assembled and is relatively spacious considering its size.
Under the hood, the Rio gets a reworked version of Kia's 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. It has slightly less power compared to last year (130 horsepower versus last year's 138), but Kia says it decided to trade peak power for more usable power, meaning that the Rio feels stronger at the lower engine speeds drivers encounter most often.
The inside also has been upgraded, and while hard plastics still abound, it feels very solidly built. The redesigned dash and gauge cluster manage to look upscale as well, so even though the Rio is a budget-priced car, it doesn't feel cheap. We think the interior presents itself better than those of cars costing thousands more.
Overall, we're impressed with this little Kia. If you're in the market for a subcompact sedan or hatchback, the 2018 Kia Rio is absolutely worth checking out.
Trim levels & features
The subcompact 2018 Kia Rio is available as either a sedan or a four-door hatchback. Both the hatchback and sedan are sold in three different trim levels: base LX, midlevel S and top-level EX.
For the base LX, standard features include a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (130 horsepower, 119 pound-feet of torque), a six-speed manual transmission (a six-speed automatic is an available option), 15-inch steel wheels, automatic headlights, air conditioning, a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-only steering wheel, a trip computer, a rearview camera, and a four-speaker sound system with a 5-inch display, satellite radio, a USB port and an auxiliary audio input jack.
The midlevel Rio S adds to the standard equipment with keyless entry, heated power mirrors, power windows, cruise control, map lights, a sliding center console armrest and storage area, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, an extra USB port (charging only), a rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity and a six-speaker audio system.
The top-of-the-line EX includes the Rio S' standard equipment and adds 15-inch alloy wheels, a chrome grille surround, foglights, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a forward collision warning system with automatic braking, upgraded cloth upholstery, dual illuminated vanity mirrors and an upgraded 7-inch center display with Kia's Uvo infotainment system (which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto). The EX's Launch Edition package adds red interior trim and partial leather accents.
Trim tested
Driving
3.5Acceleration
3Braking
3Steering
4.5Handling
4Drivability
3Comfort
4Seat comfort
3Ride comfort
3.5Noise & vibration
4Climate control
4Interior
4Ease of use
5Getting in/getting out
2.5Driving position
4Roominess
3Visibility
3Quality
4.5Utility
3.5Small-item storage
4Cargo space
3.5Child safety seat accommodation
2.5Technology
3Audio & navigation
3Smartphone integration
4Driver aids
4Voice control
4Top consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2018 Kia Rio.
Features & Specs
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Rio safety features:
- Forward Collision Warning
- Warns you if a front collision is imminent. Available only on the top-trim EX model.
- Rearview Camera
- Helps navigate into tight parking spots and avoid collisions when backing out of spots in crowded parking lots.
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Helps mitigate an accident by engaging the brakes when a front collision is sensed — standard only on the EX trim level.
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2018 Kia Rio for Sale
Get more for your trade-in
Edmunds shoppers get on average $235 more for their trade-in.
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See your car's valueBudget-conscious consumers shopping in the crowded subcompact market segment would do well to add the 2018 Kia Rio to their test-drive list. The completely redesigned 2018 Kia Rio has a low price point, attractive styling, a roomy interior and decent performance. Basically, the Rio offers solid value per dollar. And like many of its class rivals, Kia's entry-level model has expanded in both size and available features, proving that you don't necessarily have to sacrifice comfort in the name of economy.
Under the hood, the only powerplant remains a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 130 horsepower and 119 pound-feet of torque. In the base LX sedan, it comes mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission, with a six-speed automatic as an option. All other models include the automatic as standard equipment. Fuel economy is a solid 32 mpg in combined city and highway driving.
The Rio's interior, while not exactly plush in standard trim, is nicely designed, logically laid out and constructed of good-quality materials. There's plenty of room for both front and rear occupants, and cargo space, already fairly generous, can be expanded by folding the optional 60/40-split rear seatbacks. Previously available extras such as heated front seats and a sunroof are, unfortunately, no longer available on the Rio, so buyers looking for a more top-level experience may need to look elsewhere.
The Rio is available as either a four-door sedan or a five-door hatchback, both offered in LX, S and EX trims levels. The base LX models come with all the necessary equipment to keep you comfortable on the road, although drivers will need to make do with roll-up windows and rather basic amenities. The S provides a few more features, but you'll really want to upgrade to the EX if you're looking for maximum Rio comfort and technology. Whatever your preference, let Edmunds help you find the 2018 Kia Rio that best meets your needs.
2018 Kia Rio Overview
The 2018 Kia Rio is offered in the following submodels: Rio Hatchback, Rio Sedan. Available styles include LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 6A), S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 6A), S 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6A), LX 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6A), LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 6M), EX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 6A), EX 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6A), and LX 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6M).
What do people think of the 2018 Kia Rio?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2018 Kia Rio and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2018 Rio 4.5 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2018 Rio.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2018 Kia Rio and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2018 Rio featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Edmunds Scorecard
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What's a good price for a New 2018 Kia Rio?
2018 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 6A)
The 2018 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 6A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $16,015. The average price paid for a new 2018 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 6A) is trending $2,700 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $2,700 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is$13,315.
The average savings for the 2018 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 6A) is16.9% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:We are showing 1 2018 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 6A) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburnarea.
Which 2018 Kia Rios are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2018 Kia Rio for sale near. There are currently 24 new 2018 Rios listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $16,145 and mileage as low as 0 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2018 Kia Rio. Then select Edmunds special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to $2,704 on a used or CPO 2018 Rio available from a dealership near you.
Can't find a new 2018 Kia Rios you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a new Kia Rio for sale - 10 great deals out of 11 listings starting at $23,491.
Find a new Kia for sale - 8 great deals out of 15 listings starting at $22,460.
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Why trust Edmunds?
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color.
Should I lease or buy a 2018 Kia Rio?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Kia lease specials
Check out Kia Rio lease specials