2021 Kia Rio Review

Name: 2021 Kia Rio Review
Brand: Kia

Price Range: $13,398 - $17,998

+28

The 2021 Kia Rio is a fine device for going from point A to point B. It's easy to drive and reasonably comfortable. Kia's warranty is great too. There's not much personality to it, but if you need something inexpensive, the Rio will serve your needs perfectly.

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Price & Payment

23 cars

$16,283 avg. price

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Kia Rio model years

Kia Rio for Sale

Kia Rio types

Sedan
Hatchback

2021 Kia Rio Review

by the Edmunds Experts

What's new

Restyled front and rear bodywork
New 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Part of the fourth Rio generation introduced for 2018

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) 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 $4.79 per gallon for regular unleaded in California.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in California

$164/mo

$226/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Excellent

#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

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

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

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

4.1

29 reviews

5(52%)

4(24%)

3(14%)

2(3%)

1(7%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Peppy Hatchback!

Saif A., 07/10/2021

2021 Kia Rio S 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl CVT)

These cars are indeed a dying breed. Everyone wants an SUV or a sports car, so the hatchback segment has been shrinking in America. In Europe its a different story, hatchbacks are everywhere...but I don't live in Italy, I live in L.A. so here are my thoughts. The Hatchback version is the one you want. The sedan is a smaller, uglier Forte, so avoid it. The power is average for the …

Excellent commuter

Walter, 06/11/2020

2020 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)

Pros: It's sharp and comfortable, regular 37-39 MPG in town, only paid $15,900 new, the infotainment system is pretty good and responsive despite the price. Cons: It gets blown around on the freeway, there needs to be a mode between normal and sport for the freeway, no keyless entry or cruise on the base model. I purchased the base LX with floor mats as the only option. It reminds …

small wonder

Aman, 10/01/2020

2020 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)

Note this is a budget car but you are also getting apple play touch screen, great for beginner drivers to college students whom need something that fits there daily budget. I personally bought this for my Parents whom don't like fancy gadgets in today's vehicles. This was the best buy with less gadgets.

Great subcompact!

Vetro, 11/20/2021

2021 Kia Rio S 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl CVT)

Cool little car, fairly comfortable (I'm 6'2"). Wish it had telescopic steering wheel, but you adjust. Plenty of power for its size. Handles great, fun firm ride. I like the exterior design, and the interior is simple and attractive. The 8" touch screen is great, and Apple CarPlay sounds amazing. For the price this is a really solid little car.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Kia Rio, so we've included reviews for other years of the Rio since its last redesign.

See all 29 reviews of the Kia Rio

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2021 Rio Highlights

Type:

Sedan

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$16,050
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	36 MPG
Cost to Drive	$164/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Rio models:

Forward Collision Warning: Warns you if a front collision is imminent. Available only on the S trim level.
Rearview Camera: Helps the driver navigate into tight parking spots and avoid collisions when backing out of spots in crowded parking lots.
Automatic Emergency Braking: When the system is paired with forward collision warning, it can automatically engage the brakes if the driver doesn't react in time.

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Acceptable
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2021 Kia Rio Review

Price & Payment

2021 Kia Rio Review

What's new

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) 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 $4.79 per gallon for regular unleaded in California.}

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Kia Rio Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

Peppy Hatchback!

Excellent commuter

small wonder

Great subcompact!

2021 Rio Highlights

Safety

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2021 Kia Rio Review

Price & Payment

2021 Kia Rio Review

What's new

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) 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 $4.79 per gallon for regular unleaded in California.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Kia Rio Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Peppy Hatchback!

Excellent commuter

small wonder

Great subcompact!

2021 Rio Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2021 Kia Rio info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Kia

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) 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 $4.79 per gallon for regular unleaded in California.}