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2019 Kia Rio review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise
6 photos

Kia Rio highlights

Customer rating

RepairPal reliability rating

Pros

  • Nimble, easy to park
  • Upscale cabin for the price
  • Long warranty

Cons

  • Very basic base model
  • Easygoing acceleration
  • Small trunk (sedan)

Mileage (EPA estimate)

28 city, 37 highway, 32 combined

Pricing for current inventory

From $14,599*

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The Kia Rio is affordable, easy to drive, and good on gas

The Kia Rio is a value-conscious subcompact available as a practical small sedan or chirpy four-door hatchback. The latter of the two has more cargo space, though the hatch comes with a higher base price. That’s due to the sedan being offered in entry-level LX trim or upmarket S. If you choose the hatchback, the S trim is your only option. This means paying more up front, though the base LX sedan is austere with its wind-up windows and lack of any available option packages.

With the S trim, you get features like a seven-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay® and Android™ Auto, keyless entry, cruise control, and more. Every Rio is fitted with a 130-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that sends power to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. For the 2019 model year, a six-speed manual is no longer available in any Rio. Direct competitors include the Chevrolet Spark and Sonic, the Hyundai Accent, Honda Fit, Mitsubishi Mirage, and Nissan Versa.

All Kia Rio years

What is new for the 2019 Kia Rio?

  • The EX trim has been discontinued for 2019.
  • Rio trims have been upgraded with Parking Sensors as standard equipment this year.
  • The LX trim now comes with Rear View Camera, Power Mirrors, Power Windows, and Bluetooth Technology as standard equipment.
  • The S trim now comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard equipment.

2019 Kia Rio trims

Curious how Kia Rio trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

LX:

  • 130-hp, 119-lb-ft of torque 1.6L
  • Rear View Camera
  • Cloth Seats
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Power Mirrors
  • Rear Defroster
  • Side Airbags
  • Traction Control
  • Automatic Transmission

S:

Kia Rio photos

What We Like

Affordable price: The loss of the manual gearbox nudges the price of the Rio up slightly, though this remains one of the least expensive new cars available. Even springing for the upmarket S trim keeps the Rio’s price within easy reach.

Quality cabin: The layout of the cabin is handsome and feels built to last. That’s not something you can say for many economy cars that are filled with chintzy plastics and mismatched trim pieces.

Stress-free driving manners: The Rio sedan and hatchback make for excellent, simple, and easy-to-use commuter vehicles. Light steering and their small footprints mean they’re agile enough to squeeze through heavy traffic without breaking a sweat (or bashing a bumper).

What Needs Improvement

Base trim is best avoided: Despite a temptingly low price, you’d be smart to skip the base LX trim. Its meager number of features is a constant reminder you could have had a whole lot more car for not much more money by opting for the S trim.

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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

3.8 out of 5

4 customer reviews

RepairPal reliability rating

4
Excellent

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.

View RepairPal's full rating of the Kia Rio

Kia Rio features and specs

Curious how Kia Rio trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

LX 2WD 4D Sedan

Standard Features

  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • Cloth Seats
  • Heated Mirrors
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear View Camera
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Side Airbags
  • Traction Control

Optional Features

  • Cloth Seats

Drive Wheels

Front Wheel Drive (2WD)

Engine size

1.6L

Horsepower

130

Torque (ft-lbs)

119

Engine type

Gas

Fuel capacity

11.9

Wheelbase

101.6"

Overall length

172.6"

Width

67.9"

Height

57.1"

Leg room

F 42.1"/R 33.5"

Head room

F 38.9"/R 37.4"

Front tires

P185/65TR15

Rear tires

P185/65TR15

Seating capacity

5

Transmission

Automatic

2019 Kia Rio FAQ

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We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.​

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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