The Kia Rio is powered by a 1.6L 4-cylinder engine making 120 hp. Power is sent to the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission. Fuel economy is excellent for a non-hybrid car like this with a claimed city mileage of 33 mpg with 41 mpg supposedly attainable on the highway.
Standard features on subcompacts like the Rio tend to be pretty sparse, but base LX-trimmed Rios come standard with power door locks, air conditioning, a 5-inch touchscreen controlling a stereo with MP3 and SiriusXM capabilities, a USB input jack, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and automatic headlights.
Top of the line S trim includes an optional 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capabilities along with 15-inch alloy wheels, upgraded seat trimming, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, fog lights, one-touch windows, a forward collision warning system and an autonomous emergency braking system.
Optional features include a Supervision Meter 3.5-inch gauge display and Forward Collision Assist with automatic avoidance,
Standard safety features on the Rio include dual front mounted and side mounted airbags, full length side curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes and stability management systems, a hill start system and a tire pressure monitoring system.
Maneuverability
Handsome Styling
Upscale Features
Available In Multiple Body Styles
Strong Value Quotient
The Kia Rio gets a new engine for 2020, a 1.6L 4-cylinder unit that despite being the same displacement as the outgoing engine, gets considerably better fuel economy. Fuel economy is further aided by a new continuously variable transmission which comes standard on the car. The end result? City mpg jumps by 5 mpg while highway ratings increase by 4 mpg. All told, the 2020 Rio is rated at a combined 36 mpg in city and highway driving.
The Rio is Kia's least-expensive entry in their lineup. Prices start at just above $15,000 for the sedan, while the 5-door adds about $1,100 to that price. Styling for this generation is clean and sophisticated with Kia neatly incorporating its family grill into the car's front fascia. Competitors include other subcompacts such as the Honda Fit, the Ford Fiesta and the Toyota Yaris. While those cars tend to remind buyers that they're dealing with simple, bare-bones transportation, the Rio offers enough comfort, convenience and sophistication to feel a little bit classier, all while undercutting those rivals on price.
