2023 Kia Rio Review

Price Range: $14,398 - $19,998

The 2023 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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Kia Rio model years

Kia Rio for Sale

Kia Rio types

Sedan
Hatchback

2023 Kia Rio Review

Pros

Easy car for city commuting
Solid build quality for such a price-conscious car
Long warranty coverage
Real-world fuel economy is impressive

Cons

No telescoping steering wheel available
Sedan has subpar cargo space

What's new

No significant changes for 2023
Part of the fourth Rio generation introduced for 2018

Overview

Written by automotive expert Mark Takahashi

10/4/2022

One of the smartest decisions you could make when buying a car is to get the smallest vehicle that meets your needs. Subcompact sedans and hatchbacks are some of the smallest you could get today, but they're often overlooked by shoppers who have their hearts seemingly stuck on SUVs. That's too bad because these small cars offer more versatility than you might expect, along with better fuel economy and a smaller footprint that's easier to maneuver.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Chicago, IL

224 listings

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2023 Kia Rio
S Sedan
$17,990
fair price
$676 below market
- 24,792 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 32 City / 41 Hwy MPG
- Carvana - Chicago (41 mi away)
- Home delivery*
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
- Alarm
Close
Located in Chicago, IL
At Carvana, we go miles beyond the extra mile. That's why we provide you with a convenient, fast, and hassle-free car buying experience that puts you ...
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: No
Features and Specs:
36 Combined MPG (32 City/41 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 3KPA24AD4PE612744
Stock: 2003999427
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 08-28-2025
New Listing
2022 Kia Rio
S Sedan
$12,995
great price
$2,720 below market
- 50,252 miles
- No accidents, 3 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 33 City / 41 Hwy MPG
- Ride Time Auto Finance (27 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Upgraded Headlights
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
Close
Located in Merrillville, IN
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
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:
36 Combined MPG (33 City/41 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 3KPA24AD6NE490627
Stock: C10158
Certified Pre-Owned: No

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This current-generation Rio debuted for the 2018 model year and has had only nominal changes since then save for a slight restyling for 2021. Because of that increased interest in crossovers and SUVs, many automakers are slowly eliminating extra-small cars. In fact, the Rio's corporate sibling, the Hyundai Accent, was discontinued for the 2023 model year.

Kia hasn't officially said what it's going to do for 2023, so for now we'll assume the Rio is going to hang around for one more year. We hope so because the Rio is a solid pick for an affordable set of wheels.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Below Average

7.1

out of 10

We drove the 2023 Kia Rio on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

7/10

How does the Rio drive? The Rio is underpowered and underwhelming on the road. The 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine makes just 120 horsepower, and while that's typically enough for city streets, you have to use every single one to get up to speed on the highway. Lane changes and overtakes require more caution than anything else, and gaps that would be easy to exploit in most cars require more thought to slot into thanks to the Rio's prevailing lack of punch. The one saving grace has to be its continuously variable automatic transmission, which is smooth and does a commendable job of exploiting what power the Rio has.

Because of the Rio's soft suspension tune and near gripless all-season tires, it's not all that enjoyable to zoom around city streets. The steering is far too eager to recenter itself and has an elastic feel to it. The Rio is a car that's happiest at half speed, and for its target audience, that's likely more than enough.

Comfort

7/10

How comfortable is the Rio? The Rio's price of entry might be low, but that doesn't mean you're getting something that isn't sophisticated enough to deal with the ruts, lumps and bumps of day-to-day driving. A squishy suspension tune and tall tire sidewalls mean that the Rio rides surprisingly well. It isn't perfect, but the ride is better than you might expect.

Unfortunately, we can't stop there. The soft ride is a plus, but wind noise is almost always audible inside the cabin, and even if the suspension is set up for comfort, you do get shocks through the seat while going over bigger bumps. The seat itself is conventionally shaped, but it offers neither above-average support nor comfort. Also the absence of any armrest padding just feels inconsiderate.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? Durable plastics coat a spartan interior, but simplicity is one of the Rio's strong suits. It gets high marks for ease of use with logically laid out physical climate controls and easy-to-read dials. It's also quite easy to see out of the cabin in all directions and relatively roomy inside even though it's one of the smallest cars on the market.

One of our biggest complaints with the interior has to be the compromised driving position. Because the wheel doesn't telescope, taller drivers will feel like they will need to sit too close to the pedals to be comfortable. We understand that cheap cars aren't the places to look for luscious interior spaces, but we'd happily pay a little more for some of the basic creature comforts that would take the pain out of commutes.

Technology

7/10

How’s the tech? The Rio's infotainment system is easy to navigate and simple to zip through, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard niceties. We did find ourselves wishing for a slightly nicer stereo, but the system in the Rio is hard to fault.

If anything, Kia could have included more safety features in the Rio. Blind-spot monitoring was something we missed, and the lane keeping assist system in the Rio is nowhere near as helpful as those in other Kias including the K5 and Seltos. Small cars might be built to a price, but that doesn't mean you should be forced to miss out on important safety tech.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? Despite its small stature, the Rio — in its hatchback version — offers a surprising amount of space for cargo loading. With the rear seats up, you're offered 17.4 cubic feet of free space in the hatch area. That's a little bigger than what you get from a typical midsize sedan's trunk, assuming you load all the way to the roof. Fold the second row down and you'll have 32.8 cubic feet available. A low floor makes loading and unloading an effortless experience.

The Rio's interior cabin storage features the requisite cubbies and cupholders, but it isn't exceptional in this regard. Also the center console is pretty small, but to be fair, it's a narrow car. The limited rear quarters won't be optimal for fitting a car seat either, and there's no special access to anchor points offered.

Fuel Economy

9/10

How’s the fuel economy? According to EPA estimates, the Rio will get 36 mpg in combined city/highway driving. That's pretty good, and in our hands the Rio performed even better. Over the course of our mixed-driving evaluation route, the super-sipping Rio managed an impressive 43 mpg. It's one of the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid cars we've recently tested.

Value

8.5/10

Is the Rio a good value? Our test car stickered for around $20,000, making it one of the least expensive new cars you can buy. Given that fairly low price point, the Rio is actually pretty well built. The cabin has a lot of hard plastic panels, but they will likely hold up well after years of abuse. Unfortunately for the Rio, the Kia Forte, which doesn't cost that much more, offers more backseat space and a better ride, and it looks and feels significantly more modern. That said, there's little doubt that the Rio is a good value for the money.

Kia's excellent warranties provide five years/60,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper and 10 years/100,000 miles of powertrain coverage. Roadside assistance is also provided for the duration of the five-year warranty period.

Wildcard

5/10

Unfortunately for the Rio, what it lacks most of all is personality. Sometimes small cars have a bit of charm to the way they drive, but that's not the case here. The Rio is a device. It's an easygoing companion that asks for little more than a little fuel in return for its services, and that's all it has to be. If you're looking for something with a little X-factor for the same money, you're going to have to look elsewhere.

2023 Kia Rio trim level differences

The 2023 Kia Rio can be equipped as a four-door sedan or a hatchback, which Kia calls the 5-Door. The sedan is available in two trim levels: the base LX and the S. The 5-Door is only sold in S trim. All Rios are powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (120 horsepower, 112 lb-ft of torque) mated to a continuously variable transmission. All Rios are front-wheel-drive. Feature highlights include:

Which Rio trim does Edmunds recommend?

The Rio's base LX trim is a bit too basic for our tastes, which is why we suggest checking out the S trim that is eligible for the S Technology package. Not only does this upgrade add some convenience items, but it also includes several desirable safety features.

Compare 2023 Kia Rio trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Illinois

$117/mo

$175/mo

Avg. Compact Car

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Reliability

The 2023 Kia Rio has a 5 years / 60,000 miles basic warranty and no recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #14 out of 27 among Subcompact Cars. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating 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

$333/yr

vs. $416/yr
for Average Subcompact Car

Frequency

1.18x/yr

vs. 1.22x/yr
for Average Subcompact Car

Severity

9.9%

vs. 10.1%
for Average Subcompact Car

Recalls

There are no recalls for the 2023 Kia Rio

Warranty

5 years / 60,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 10 years / 100,000 miles
EV battery Warranty: 10 years / 100,000 miles
Hybrid component Warranty: 10 years / 100,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / 100,000 miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles

Kia Rio Owner Reviews

4.6

29 reviews

5(83%)

4(7%)

3(3%)

2(3%)

1(4%)

See all 29 reviews Write a vehicle review

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

One of the most economical non-hybrids available

Brent, 03/13/2022

2022 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)

I'll start by stating that I live in Los Angeles County. The quality of roads around this massive metropolitan area ranges from very good to pretty poor (meaning pothole-ridden and full of large cracks). If you live in an area with constantly terrible roads, you may find the suspension tuning to not be soft enough for the constant beating, but I suspect that 90% of buyers will be … plenty content with the suspension...certainly more so than its larger cousin, the Kia Forte with its very choppy suspension tuning over even modestly bad pavement. Overall, the suspension tuning and ride comfort is decent to good; certainly better than the thrifty price tag would suggest. It might be a little too firm for some over *really* bad pavement due to the front strut/torsion beam rear setup, but the car *does* remain composed and well-controlled at all times. If pavement conditions are fair to good, you'll find this vehicle to be quite comfortable for both city trips and long journeys. Fuel economy is where this vehicle really shines; it is fantastic for a non-hybrid. Official EPA ratings are 33 city/41 highway, but I've been consistently averaging 34-35 city/43-46 highway. DO NOTE that your fuel economy gauge in the insturmentation cluster may read something higher than what you'll actually get at the pump (a weird oversight by Kia). Mine constantly displays 36-39 in the city and 45-50 on the highway, which is 1-3 MPG too generous over real-world fuel economy. My driving style is generally leisurely but I will punch it a bit, here and there. 70-75 MPH on the freeways; sometimes closer to 80 MPH, and there are a decent number of hills in my area. Some folks may be concerned about the CVT's performance, but the CVT in the Rio and the Forte uses a chain instead of a rubber belt. Unlike most CVT's, there's no weird lag, awkward pulling sensations or delays with acceleration throughout the power band...very consistent and predictable power. Acceleration is solid and if you really need the extra power, you can either switch the transmission to sport mode and/or manually shift the simulated fake gears to quickly get up to highway speeds. Honestly, I cannot really tell the difference between Kia's CVT (IVT as they call it) and a traditional automatic transmission. While you won't be beating anyone in a 0-60 race, you'll certainly have more than enough power to keep up with both city and freeway traffic without having to floor the accelerator. Front seat room is quite generous for a subcompact and comparable to that of a large compact. Front seats are on the slightly firmer side but are still pretty supportive and comfortable for most. Thanks to an outward-shaped design of the interior door panels, Kia was able to crank out a few centimeters of space to make the cabin feel just a bit more spacious. Rear-seat leg, shoulder and head room is ample for 2 adults sitting behind 6 foot adults, but 3 adults in the rear is a very tight squeeze. Despite the narrow wheelbase, the car feels surprisingly composed at highway speeds, with fairly precise on-center steering accuracy and none of the constant overcorrecting that has plagued many subcompacts on longer road-trips on the freeway. Steering feel is a bit numb, but the accuracy is certainly there; you know exactly what your wheels are doing and is what you want in a city commuter or long-distance cruiser. Ergonomics are excellent; the controls are well-placed, easy to use and quite intuitive with old-school knobs, switches and buttons. Gauges are easy to read and attractive. The 8 inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple Car Play works great, and the 6 speaker sound quality is quite good for what is supposed to be a budget system. The rear camera quality is quite clear on the infotainment display. The trunk will fit 2 large suitcases and another carry-on with enough room to spare for extras. Really, Kia is almost doing a public service by offering a composed, refined, fuel-saving car that has good driving dynamics, looks attractive enough and is roomier inside than some larger compacts for what is a total bargain these days, then backing it up with their 100,000 mile powertrain/60,000 mile comprehensive warranty.

2022 Kia Rio

FCampbell, 12/22/2021

2022 Kia Rio S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)

I love this little vehicle. I had a 2007 Kia Rio and this one has all the bells and whistles that I always wanted that one to have. Very comfortable and loaded with fun features. Best car on the market for the money. 45 mpg so far, not too bad.

Exactly what I was hoping for

Craig R., 08/16/2022

2022 Kia Rio S 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl CVT)

UPDATE: Almost two years and it's still exactly what I wanted/needed. Mileage has settled in at about 44 mpg combined. Have had it on road trips to Montréal, Toronto, Detroit, Chicago, and New Orleans. Not a single problem thus far. Have had my 22 Rio Hatchback (with tech package) for 2 months now with one decent road trip under its belt. I have no delusions of grandeur here- hey it's an …

Best compact for the buck

Dan Lee, 03/28/2022

2022 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)

I have a 2010 Rio LX and it was day and light difference. The 2022 Rio LX is also the base model but much roomier than my old one. Driving stability is significantly better and even better gas mileage at 36-41 mpg. I don't need any extra option so at $17225 MSRP it is quite low in today's inflated car market. I actually went to see a used 2020 Kia with 53k miles at another dealer they …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 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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2023 Kia Rio video

These Are the Cheapest New Cars & SUVs on Sale Today | Top 10 Least Expensive New Cars for 2023

New cars these days are expensive, to say the least — the average price of a new car is currently standing at almost $50,000 — and trying to find something less expensive can feel like a daunting task. Fortunately, though, there are still a decent number of cheaper new cars available, and we're here to help you find them. Edmunds' Lauren McCay takes you through the top 10…

2023 Rio Highlights

Type:

Sedan

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$16,750
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	36 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

See all features & specs

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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2023 Kia Rio Review

Appraise my car

Price & Payment

2023 Kia Rio Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale near Chicago, IL

2023 Kia RioS Sedan

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2022 Kia RioS Sedan

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

2023 Kia Rio trim level differences

Which Rio trim does Edmunds recommend?

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Recalls

Warranty

Kia Rio Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

One of the most economical non-hybrids available

2022 Kia Rio

Exactly what I was hoping for

Best compact for the buck

2023 Kia Rio video

These Are the Cheapest New Cars & SUVs on Sale Today | Top 10 Least Expensive New Cars for 2023

2023 Rio Highlights

Safety

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2023 Kia Rio
S Sedan

2022 Kia Rio
S Sedan