Kia Rio
The 2023 Kia Rio presents a compelling case for budget-conscious used car buyers, boasting excellent reliability scores and impressive fuel efficiency.
Calculated from 10,000+ NHTSA, EPA & owner-complaint data pointsHow we score
2021 modelSpecifications by model year
Compare the stats that matter
Every section below is populated from the available EPA, NHTSA, and vehicle-specification data for this model.
Fuel economy
EPA-rated city, highway, and combined economy by year.
| Year | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | City L/100 km | Highway L/100 km | Combined L/100 km | Fuel-economy range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 32 | 41 | 36 | 7.35 | 5.74 | 6.53 | — |
| 2022 | 33 | 41 | 36 | 7.13 | 5.74 | 6.53 | 33-41 mpg combined |
| 2021 | 33 | 41 | 36 | 7.13 | 5.74 | 6.53 | — |
| 2020 | 33 | 41 | 36 | 7.13 | 5.74 | 6.53 | — |
| 2019 | 28 | 37 | 32 | 8.4 | 6.36 | 7.35 | — |
| 2018 | 28 | 37 | 32 | 8.4 | 6.36 | 7.35 | — |
| 2017 | 27 | 36 | 30 | 8.71 | 6.53 | 7.84 | — |
| 2016 | 27 | 36 | 30 | 8.71 | 6.53 | 7.84 | — |
| 2015 | 27 | 36 | 30 | 8.71 | 6.53 | 7.84 | — |
| 2014 | 27 | 36 | 30 | 8.71 | 6.53 | 7.84 | — |
| 2013 | 28 | 36 | 31 | 8.4 | 6.53 | 7.59 | — |
| 2012 | 28 | 36 | 31 | 8.4 | 6.53 | 7.59 | — |
| 2011 | 27 | 35 | 30 | 8.71 | 6.72 | 7.84 | — |
Engine, transmission & drivetrain
Powertrain specifications can vary between model years.
| Year | Body style | Cylinders | Displacement | Fuel type | Engine code | Transmission | Drivetrain | Horsepower | Torque | Engine configuration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | hatchback | 4 | 1.6 | Regular | — | Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) | Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2022 | hatchback | 4 | 1.6 | Regular | Smartstream G1.6 MPI | Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) | Front-Wheel Drive | 120 hp | 112 lb-ft | Inline-4 |
| 2021 | hatchback | 4 | 1.6 | Regular | — | Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) | FWD/Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2020 | hatchback | 4 | 1.6 | Regular | — | Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) | FWD/Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2019 | hatchback | 4 | 1.6 | Regular | — | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2018 | hatchback | 4 | 1.6 | Regular | — | Automatic | FWD/Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2017 | hatchback | 4 | 1.6 | Regular | — | Automatic | FWD/Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2016 | hatchback | 4 | 1.6 | Regular | — | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2015 | hatchback | 4 | 1.6 | Regular | — | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2014 | hatchback | 4 | 1.6 | Regular | — | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2013 | hatchback | 4 | 1.6 | Regular | — | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2012 | hatchback | 4 | 1.6 | Regular | — | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2011 | hatchback | 4 | 1.6 | Regular | — | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
Pricing & configuration
Original pricing and model configuration where available.
| Year | msrp | pricing | currency | Base MSRP | MSRP range | Confidence | notes | Source | estimatedAt | Base price | Series | Trim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | currency: USD, Base MSRP: $16,150, MSRP range: $16,150 - $18,485, Confidence: 0.9, notes: MSRP for LX and S trims., Source: llm_estimate, estimatedAt: 6/10/2026 | — | USD | $16,150 | $16,150 - $18,485 | 0.9 | MSRP for LX and S trims. | llm_estimate | 6/10/2026 | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | Base price: $16,900 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $16,900 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | Base price: $15,750, Series: LX, S | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $15,750 | LX, S | — |
| 2019 | — | Base price: $16,490, Series: LX, S | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $16,490 | LX, S | — |
| 2018 | — | Base price: $14, Series: LX, S | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $14 | LX, S | — |
| 2017 | — | Base price: $15,495, Trim: LX | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $15,495 | — | LX |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Space, dimensions & utility
Seating, cargo, and physical configuration by model year.
| Year | Seats | Doors | Cargo (L) | Cargo (cu ft) | Keyless ignition | Seat rows | GVWR | Steering location | Axles | Wheels | Wheelbase | Front wheel | Rear wheel | bodyAndInterior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 | — | — | — | Standard | 2 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Seat rows: 2 |
| 2022 | 5 | 4 | 325 | 11.5 | — | 2 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | Seat rows: 2 |
| 2021 | 5 | — | — | — | Standard | 2 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 101.6 | 15 | 15 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 |
| 2020 | 5 | — | — | — | — | 2 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 101.6 | 15 | 15 | Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 |
| 2019 | 5 | 4 | — | — | Standard | 2 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 101.6 | 15 | 15 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 |
| 2018 | 5 | 5 | — | — | — | 2 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 101.6 | 15 | 15 | Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 |
| 2017 | 5 | 5 | — | — | — | 2 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 101.2 | 15 | 15 | Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | 5 | 4 | 288 | 10.2 | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Safety ratings & driver assistance
NHTSA safety ratings and listed driver-assistance availability.
| Year | Rated vehicle | abs | esc | tractionControl | tpms | rearCamera | autoReverseSystem | autoBrake | forwardCollisionWarning | pedestrianAeb | laneCenteringAssist | adaptiveDrivingBeam | adaptiveCruiseControl | Overall rating | Frontal crash | Side crash | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2023 Kia Rio 5 HB FWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | 2022 Kia Rio 5 HB FWD | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | 2021 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | 2020 Kia Rio 5 HB FWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | optional | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | 2019 Kia Rio 5 HB FWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | 2018 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | 2017 Kia Rio 5 HB FWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | — | — | — | standard | — | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| 2016 | 2016 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| 2015 | 2015 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| 2014 | 2014 Kia Rio 5 HB FWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| 2013 | 2013 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| 2012 | 2012 Kia Rio 5 HB FWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| 2011 | 2011 Kia Rio SW FWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Technology & electrification
Listed infotainment, equipment, battery, and charging data.
Model year reports
2023
NewestThe 2023 Kia Rio presents a compelling case for budget-conscious used car buyers, boasting excellent reliability scores and impressive fuel efficiency.
2022
The 2022 Kia Rio offers excellent fuel economy and a comfortable ride for its class.
2021
The 2021 Kia Rio offers good fuel economy and a practical package, but buyers must prioritize confirming completion of two critical safety recalls impacting braking and steering systems.
2020
The 2020 Kia Rio offers good overall reliability, but a critical recall concerning the brake master cylinder warrants careful inspection.
2019
The 2019 Kia Rio offers dependable transportation with good fuel economy, but a critical safety recall concerning the trunk latch mechanism requires careful inspection.
2018
The 2018 Kia Rio presents an average reliability profile, underscored by a significant recall for the trunk latch mechanism.
2017
The 2017 Kia Rio presents an average reliability profile for a used car, with critical fire risk from HECU issues and trunk latch problems identified via recalls.
2016
The 2016 Kia Rio offers average reliability, but potential buyers must prioritize confirming that the critical **HECU electrical short recall** has been properly addressed.
2015
The 2015 Kia Rio presents a mixed ownership proposition.
2014
The 2014 Kia Rio presents an average reliability profile for a used car, with its primary ownership concern being a critical **HECU electrical short** that poses a fire risk.
2013
The 2013 Kia Rio offers economical transportation with respectable fuel efficiency, but its reliability is marked by a significant recall for a potential **HECU fire risk**.
2012
The 2012 Kia Rio presents a mixed ownership proposition.
2011
The 2011 Kia Rio presents as an economical subcompact with a respectable 30 mpg combined rating.
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the best years for the Kia Rio?
Carfocal currently has 13 published Rio reports, covering 2011 through 2023. Compare the year-specific reports directly to see how reliability, recalls, ownership costs, and value change over time. The newest published verdict says: The 2023 Kia Rio presents a compelling case for budget-conscious used car buyers, boasting excellent reliability scores and impressive fuel efficiency.
Published year coverage: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023.
Is the Kia Rio reliable?
There is no single reliability answer for every Kia Rio. Carfocal's published year reports show why the model year matters, with verdicts that include the 2023 kia rio presents a compelling case for budget-conscious used car buyers, boasting excellent reliability scores and impressive fuel efficiency. and the 2023 kia rio offers strong value for used car shoppers seeking an economical and dependable vehicle. Compare the report for the year you are considering before you make a decision.
13 published year-specific reports are available for comparison.
What are common problems with the Kia Rio?
Across Carfocal's published Rio guides, recurring problem areas include Steering Column, Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), and Brake Pads and Rotors. The exact risk depends on the model year, so open the report for the vehicle you are evaluating to see which issues, recalls, and repair concerns apply.
Common problem areas found in published repair predictions: Steering Column, Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), and Brake Pads and Rotors.
Supporting data
- Published guides
- 13
- Years tracked
- 13
- Data sources
- NHTSA, EPA, owner complaints