Meet the Award-Winning Kia Rio

Its name is Rio and it dances on the sand, or at least, that’s what Duran Duran would say if they were asked about the award-winning subcompact Kia Rio. It got some massive upgrades this year, turning a familiar and dependable little car into the stuff of legends.

Kia Rio comes in both a sedan and a hatchback, giving buyers ever more flexibility with a tiny price tag. With models starting at $15,850, there’s a reason that Kia Rios have a fan following among car buyers.

The Rio has been a popular small vehicle option by Kia for some time, and it’s managed to grab plenty of awards in its existence. This year, however, the Kia Rio is remade, and with that kind of risk comes the reality that it might not be as popular as older models. Fortunately, this is a time when Kia took a gamble and won big time. The Kia Rio has been a favorite among car experts everywhere, collecting awards from names like:

Auto123.com –  Subcompact Car of the Year. Canada’s most comprehensive automotive website, Auto123.com gives out yearly awards for the cars it thinks are the absolute cream of the crop. The top of the subcompact car class was the Kia Rio. Auto123.com loved it for the value it brings, as well as its handsome styling and generous equipment offerings.

US News & World Report – #2 in Subcompact Cars. The reviewers at US News & World Report had a lot of nice things to say about the Kia Rio, even though it took second place in its class. They described the ride as “engaging” and were impressed by the reliability rating that the car has been given.

JD Power – #3 Overall in Hatchbacks. JD Power’s overall ranking is based on the unvarnished opinions of verified car buyers and owners across the nation. The 100-point scale looks at such items as quality, dependability, performance, depreciation, and dealership experience. Overall, the Kia Rio earned 81 out of 100 points, with its best category being Quality & Reliability, where it scored an 87 out of 100.

Ready to shop? Browse our Kia Rio inventory now.

Kia Rio S Interior Video

2019 Kia Rio S 5-Door Interior Video

What’s New in the Kia Rio?

Kia took a big leap this year with the Kia Rio, giving buyers more bang for their buck. Most of the changes have to do with performance and features, including:

• A new 1.6 liter 4-cylinder engine.
• Intelligent Variable Automatic Transmission.
• 7-inch touchscreen display standard.
• Rear camera standard.

What does this mean for you? It means a more fuel efficient ride (now with an EPA estimated 33 MPG city and 41 MPG highway) with many new standard features not offered before in a Kia Rio. Car and Driver describes the ride by writing “a nicely sorted suspension gives the Rio a pleasant demeanor on the road, offering a good mix of comfort and agility along with a substantial feel. The hatchback version we tested soaked up bumps impressively well for such a small car thanks to its solid structure and well-tuned suspension.”

High praise, indeed.

Rio Trim Lines and Features

The Kia Rio comes in three different trimlines, as either a small sedan or a hatchback. The features standard with these models are listed below.

Browse Rio LX Sedan. ($15,850)

• 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder engine with 120 horsepower and 112 foot-pounds of torque.
• EPA estimated fuel efficiency: 33 MPG city, 41 MPG highway, 36 MPG combined.
• Intelligent Variable Automatic Transmission.
• 7-inch touchscreen display.
• Rear camera.
• Electronics stability control.
• Hill-start assist control.
• 6-way adjustable driver’s seat.

Browse Rio S Sedan. ($16,490)
All the features of the LX Sedan, plus:

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA)
• Remote keyless entry with alarm and trunk opener.
• Cruise control.
• Steering wheel mounted controls.
• 60/40 split-folding rear seat.

Browse Rio S 5-Door. ($16,790)

• Greater passenger volume (90.5 cubic feet).
• Larger cargo volume (17.4 cubic feet).
• Rear fifth door.

So Many Reasons to Choose A Rio

Between the added infotainment features like the touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Audio, safety features that include a tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), full-length side curtain airbags, and side-impact door beams, the Kia Rio is not only a fun car to drive, it’s a safe one.

The folding back seat allows you to configure the interior for your ideal experience, whether you’re shopping with the kids or running to the hardware store for something a little bit bigger. All and all, it’s a great value, a reliable car, and a vehicle that anyone can make their own, even on a small budget!