The 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.
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.
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
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.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 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 $3.52 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
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
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Below Average
7.1
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The 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.
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
7.0/10
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.
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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
7.0/10
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
9.0/10
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
5.0/10
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.
Which Rio 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.
Kia Rio models
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:
LX
The standard Rio keeps costs low but includes these necessities as standard:
15-inch steel wheels
Tilt-adjustable steering wheel
8-inch center touchscreen
Air conditioning
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
Front USB port
Cloth seats
Height-adjustable driver's seat
Four-speaker stereo system
S
A more fully equipped model comes with:
Remote keyless entry
Cruise control
Sliding center armrest
Rear USB port
Satellite radio
60/40-split folding rear seat
S Technology package
This jam-packed collection of optional features for the S trim drastically increases available technology and safety equipment with:
LED headlights
15-inch alloy wheels
Push-button start
Automatic climate control
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Lane keeping assistance (steers the Rio back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Lane following assist (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)
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.
One of the most economical non-hybrids available
4 out of 5 stars
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.
Exactly what I was hoping for
5 out of 5 stars
Craig R., 08/16/2022
2022 Kia Rio S 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
UPDATE: 11 months in and like it even better. 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 economy car. But I've … been extremely satisfied thus far.
On a road trip to Montréal and back- all freeway mind you- I averaged 47 mpg while driving about 5 mph above the speed limit and just some luggage and me in the car. Comfort is fine, acceleration much better than I expected. Sound system is better than that of the Kia Sportage I traded in for the Rio.
The one thing I want to stress to anyone considering buying this little car- GET THE TECH PACKAGE. Car would be FAR too bare bones without it. I have it- for US$1800 it includes disc brakes all around, LED headlights, alloy wheels, keyless ignition, nicer trim, Sirius XM radio, automated temp control system, and a BUNCH of safety features including such things as lane keep assist, driver attention warning, lane follow assist, and forward collision warning.
The only negatives- it sits VERY low- not the car for you if you're someone who likes to flop down in a seat rather than ease into your vehicle. Also you have to be aware of things such as pulling too close to parking blocks- and you're not going to see much of what's ahead other than the car or truck in front of you. I also would liked to have had a telescoping steering wheel but that's not available.
Overall I am completely satisfied thus far.
Best compact for the buck
5 out of 5 stars
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 … asked $16500 which is crazy to me.
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.
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The Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent are essentially reskinned versions of the same vehicle. That means they have the same engine and are very similarly sized. But there are a few differences. The Accent costs a little more than the Rio and justifies that price increase with improved interior materials and a quieter cabin. Note that Hyundai is discontinuing the Accent after the 2022 model year.
The Nissan Versa has a lot going for it. It's inexpensive, just like the Rio, and offers a bit more interior room. Unfortunately, the Versa is saddled with a weak engine that results in slow acceleration. Yes, the Rio is slow, but the Versa is even slower.
For not too much more than the Kia Rio, you could upgrade to the larger Kia Forte. Like the Rio, it comes packed with a ton of standard features, gets high fuel economy numbers and is backed by a very long warranty. The ride can be a little stiff by comparison, but that results in slightly better handling.
The Kia Rio is a solid choice for a subcompact sedan. It's affordable and easy to drive, and it has a more premium feel than you may expect to find in this budget-friendly class. Now, to get the obvious out of the way: The Rio is small. Very small. But it uses its pint size to its advantage more often than not, offering excellent fuel economy ratings and a small footprint that makes the Rio an appealing city car. Even the cargo space is acceptable, and if you opt for the 5-Door hatchback version, there is more room in the trunk than in many larger midsize sedans. You may also want to check out the Hyundai Accent and Nissan Versa sedans for cross-shopping purposes, although those models do not offer a hatchback version.
This version of the Rio debuted for the 2018 model year and has had only nominal changes since then save for a slight restyling for 2021. Because of increased interest in crossovers and SUVs and waning demand for sedans, many automakers are slowly eliminating extra-small cars like the Rio. Kia hasn't pulled that plug yet, and we expect the Rio will live to see another model year. Still, it's unlikely the automaker will make major investments in a low-volume, affordable economy car. And for that reason, we don't expect much change for the 2023 model year.
Edmunds says
Without any major changes on the way, we expect the 2023 Kia Rio to offer solid value if you're shopping for a budget-friendly sedan. In particular, the Rio 5-Door hatchback is a unique and extra-functional option that deserves a look. Cars this size are becoming more rare on the market, but the Rio has enough redeeming qualities to warrant a look.
FAQ
Is the Kia Rio a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2023 Rio both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.1 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2023 Rio gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 29 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Rio has 13.7 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Kia Rio. Learn more
What's new in the 2023 Kia Rio?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 Kia Rio:
No significant changes for 2023
Part of the fourth Rio generation introduced for 2018
To determine whether the Kia Rio is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Rio. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Rio's 5-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2023 Kia Rio a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2023 Kia Rio is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2023 Rio and gave it a 7.1 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2023 Rio gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 29 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2023 Rio is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2023 Kia Rio?
The least-expensive 2023 Kia Rio is the 2023 Kia Rio LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $16,750.
Other versions include:
LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $16,750
S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $17,390
If you're interested in the Kia Rio, the next question is, which Rio model is right for you? Rio variants include LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT), and S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT). For a full list of Rio models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
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