2023 Kia Rio review
The entry model to the Kia lineup, the Rio was a subcompact sedan and hatchback that ran from 2001 to 2023. As an economy model, it was sparsely equipped to match its low price, but it had impressive standard features for the money, including an eight-inch touchscreen with navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. Power was modest, and buyers could get a manual or automatic transmission (later a continuously variable automatic) to go with the front-wheel-drive layout. The only driver-assist feature offered was automatic emergency braking.
Explore the evolution of the Kia Rio
Get our expert take on used Kia Rio models, or view year-by-year changes.
Fourth generation Kia Rio
The fourth-generation Kia Rio arrived with more body creases, improved technology, and automatic emergency braking for the first time. It continued as a four-door sedan and five-door hatchback with front-wheel drive.
A 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine returned for this generation. This time Kia tweaked it by removing a little power but making it more responsive from stoplight to stoplight. Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions carried over. For 2020, a new 1.6-liter four-cylinder had less power, but it was teamed exclusively with a continuously variable automatic transmission, and together the duo offered 36 mpg combined.
Inside, buyers had the choice of a five- or seven-inch infotainment touchscreen, the latter with navigation and Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. An eight-inch screen became available for 2021, when the smartphone mirroring apps went wireless.
This generation added automatic emergency braking for the first time, and a rearview camera became standard for 2019 when it was required by law. No other driver-assist features were offered.
Model highlights
Redesigned for 2018 with more body creases
Continued as a four-door sedan and five-door hatchback
Six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions carried over
Less power but better fuel economy for 2020
Continuously variable automatic introduced for 2020 as only transmission
Third generation Kia Rio
The subcompact Rio returned for its third generation with a more wedge-like shape for both its four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles and a starting price around $15,000.
Kia offered only one engine, a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with direct injection and modest power to match the modest pricing. Six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions were offered, though the hatchback lost the manual for the 2016 model year. Fuel economy was a selling point, as the Rio returned ratings up to 31 mpg combined by the final year of this generation, but the rival Honda Fit could get 36 mpg combined.
The interior was small but cozy, and buyers could opt for a seven-inch touchscreen with navigation. Driver-assist features were notably lacking for this generation. A rearview camera was never standard, but it was available.
Model highlights
Redesigned with four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles
1.6-liter four-cylinder engine
Six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions
Minor styling update for 2016
Manual dropped from hatchback for 2016
Available seven-inch touchscreen with navigation
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2018 - 2023
2023 Kia Rio
2022 Kia Rio
2021 Kia Rio
Highlights
Restyled front and rear ends
New eight-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
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2020 Kia Rio
Highlights
More efficient but less powerful 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine
Continuously variable automatic became only transmission
Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and a seven-inch touchscreen became standard
Learn more
2019 Kia Rio
Highlights
Top-level EX trim discontinued
Revised feature availability for remaining LX and S trims
Rearview camera became standard as required by the government
Learn more
2018 Kia Rio
Highlights
Redesigned with more creased lines
Four-door sedan and five-door hatchback returned
1.6-liter four-cylinder lost a bit of power
Six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions returned
Newly available automatic emergency braking
Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ available for the first time
Learn more
Previous generation from 2012 - 2017
2017 Kia Rio
2016 Kia Rio
Highlights
Sedan and hatchback received restyled grille and taillights
Improved interior materials and additional sound insulation
Uvo infotainment system updated
Hatchbacks only offered with a six-speed automatic transmission
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2015 Kia Rio
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Reliability
RepairPal gave the Kia Rio an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Kia Rio 10th out of 27 among Subcompact Cars.
RepairPal reports that the average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Kia Rio is $364, compared to an average of $447 for Subcompact Cars and $591 for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
According to RepairPal, Kia Rio owners bring their vehicles into a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 1.0 times per year, compared to an average of 1.0 times for Subcompact Cars and 1.3 times for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
RepairPal reported that the probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 9% for the Kia Rio, compared to an average of 11% for Subcompact Cars and 14% for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
Kirk Bell has been an automotive journalist since 2001, doing stints at Motor Authority, MSN Autos, and Consumer Guide. He's currently a freelance journalist with an interest in luxury and performance cars.
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Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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