2022 Kia Rio

The Kia Rio is a cheap, yet feature-packed and fuel-efficient subcompact bundled up in a choice of two body styles. While it may be aimed toward budget-conscious buyers as the brand’s entry-level offering, don’t let its small footprint and affordable cost deter you from the fact that it has a ton of value to offer. This little car serves up buttoned-down road mannerisms, plentiful standard equipment and a surprising amount of space, proving that simple forms of transportation don’t have to be too basic. 

Introduced in 2017 and refreshed in 2021 with sportier exterior styling and an updated interior, the Rio remains available as a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback. Not much is new in 2022, other than Kia’s addition of an anti-theft immobilizer for all models and its new logo, but the Rio already brings a lot to the table. So much in fact that it remains one of our top recommendations in the subcompact segment, and one of the best budget buys on the market.

The base LX and top-spec S trims carry over unchanged, as do the original power- and drivetrain: a 120-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and continuously variable transmission. While far from a tire scorcher, the Rio’s advantage is the best-in-class fuel economy of up to 33 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway. 

Solid handling and commendable ride quality aren’t left out of the equation either. The Rio provides a competently responsive and agile demeanor while delivering a surprisingly smooth and mature ride for a vehicle of its size and price point. Even the top trim S hatchback starts at just $17,985 including destination, and it offers cargo space and room comparable to small crossovers like the Nissan Kicks.

Its styling is beginning to date and small cars aren’t as popular as they once were, but among the dwindling competition, the Rio’s overall qualities, spacious interior and refinement keep it plenty relevant. It’s still a well-rounded choice over the equally aging and less spacious Chevrolet Spark hatchback or Mitsubishi Mirage, both of which seem crude and rudimentary in comparison.

If having the latest and greatest is your thing, the Nissan Versa sedan is the newest kid on the block, offering more updated tech and up-to-date styling. And if a lively driving experience is what you’re after, the Rio’s cousin, the Hyundai Accent, will fill those desires just a tad bit better. Though unlike the Rio, both the Hyundai and Nissan are no longer available as handy hatchbacks.

Performance: 10/15

The 2022 Kia Rio still sports a 1.6-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder serving up 120 horsepower and 112 pound-feet of torque, mated to a continuously variable transmission driving the front wheels. Straight-line performance certainly takes a back seat, with a manufacturer-claimed zero-to-60 mph time of just under 9 seconds. But the power delivery is more than adequate and its engine noise levels aren’t intrusive.

As expected, the CVT transmission isn’t about excitement. But one can get a little more involved by shifting into manual mode and selecting any one of its simulated six forward gear ratios to keep the engine in its peak powerband. But what it doesn’t offer in go-power, it makes up for it in the handling and fuel economy departments.

Around town, the Rio’s easy maneuverability and agile mannerisms make for effortless city cruising and parking. Despite its size and short wheelbase, its stiff structure and well-tuned suspension yield a superbly composed ride, absorbing potholes and road imperfections with a level of maturity one would expect from something larger and more expensive. The steering is accurate and properly weighted to match the suspension’s solid tuning, delivering a very confident, fluid and safe feeling on the road that its competition can’t quite match.

Fuel Economy: 14/15

The Kia Rio sedan ties itself unsurprisingly with the Hyundai Accent as the most fuel-efficient vehicle in their class. Rated by the EPA to return 33 mpg city, 41 highway and 36 combined in both sedan and hatchback form, the sedan outperforms the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 and even the Nissan Versa. 

Now that the Honda Fit and the Toyota Yaris are no more as of 2020, the Rio hatchback takes the title as the second most fuel-efficient, but is bested by the Mirage hatch, which returns 36 mpg city and 43 city highway. The Mitsubishi, however, is less powerful and considerably smaller. It’s true that hybrids have displaced the smallest cars as the most efficient, but if you want a hybrid at this price you’ll be heading to the used car aisle.

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 9/15

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) nominated the Rio as a Top Safety Pick in 2018 thanks to top ratings across the board, except for the small frontal overlap test on the passenger side, where it interestingly earned an “Acceptable” grade. It does not get this rating for 2022, but the test results remain the same and good for the class. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has yet to test the Rio.

If Kia made some of the Rio’s active safety features standard, the car might earn a higher rating there. Forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, lane-keep and lane-follow assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, driver attention warning and rear occupant alert are all available, but not standard. To get them you have to spring for the S trim and pay another $1,800 for the technology package.

In the grand scheme of things that’s a small hike, but many of these features (and more) come standard on the even-cheaper Nissan Versa.

Comfort & Room: 11/15 

Despite the subcompact dimensions, the Rio’s interior is surprisingly roomy with a total passenger volume of around 89.9 cubic-feet. In either body style, the front occupants get the most space while rear occupants will certainly and expectedly feel the crunch.

But those really prioritizing space in the front will be best served in the Nissan Versa by a few cubic-inches in extra head and leg room. Still, for an entry-level budget-conscious vehicle, the Rio’s confines are well-executed. They’re also not much different to some small crossovers, like the Nissan Kicks or Hyundai Venue (itself a platform relative of the Rio that is effectively a taller hatchback).

The layout is ergonomically sensible and fuss-free with not an inch of space wasted. The choice of materials and build quality are top-notch in the segment. The seats are plenty comfortable, and the doors close with a solid and resounding thud. The plastics are sturdy without being brazenly hard to the touch while cheaper materials are left far out of reach. And while driving, interior noise is shockingly subdued.

Infotainment: 12/15

All Rios come with six-speaker stereos controlled by an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity. Upgrade to the S trim and the unit gains SiriusXM satellite radio and a simplified version of Kia’s Connect smartphone integration.

The system may be based on Kia’s previous generation user interface, but it’s still simple to use with easy-to-read graphics and text. Loading times feel just a tad bit last generation compared to the newer systems found on more recent models. But it’s still a breeze to use when compared to some of the competition.

Cargo Space & Storage: 14/15

In addition to seating for five, the Rio offers an impressive 13.7 cubic-feet of storage in the trunk of the sedan or 17.4 cubic-feet in the hatchback, both of which make them some of the most spacious in their class. In fact, the one-size-larger Toyota Corolla hatchback offers just 0.4 more cubic-feet of space.

With the rear seats folded, the hatchback offers an impressive 32.8 cubic-feet of overall cargo space, which is the best among its competition and compares well with some of the subcompact crossovers like the Kicks. For those wanting a subcompact sedan with the most trunk space, the Versa has a leg up on the Rio sedan’s trunk space by one cubic-foot of volume.

Style & Design: 7/10

The Rio’s current design dates to 2017 and does feel a bit long in the tooth. But because most buyers in this segment typically aren’t after style, its clean and simple lines keep the Rio relevant if not a bit mundane.

It’s much more proportionally conventional than any of its competitors, which resemble too much of a tiny and bloated blob with wheels. Add the $1,800 Technology Package and the S gains more stylish 16-inch alloy wheels and brighter LED projector-style headlights.

Is the 2022 Kia Rio Worth it? Which Rio is the Best Value? 

Although the Rio is cheap, its affordable cost doesn’t speak for the amount of value and car that you get from it. Altogether, the Rio bundles a ton of features, space, fuel efficiency and competent handling in a subcompact that has the feel of a quality and well-crafted product. Also, it comes with lengthy warranties if something breaks, much longer than any competing vehicle apart from the Accent.

Yes, there are limited color choices, options and equipment, though it’s all relative—this segment is meant to save money in favor of cost-efficiency. But the Rio proves is that saving money doesn’t necessarily have to come at great expense in creature comforts and features. 

While the base Rio LX sedan is a solid offering as a basic mode of transportation at a starting price of $17,305 (including a $1,055 destination fee), for a modest $920, we’d opt for the top-spec S hatchback. Add the safety tech-laden Technology Package for $1,800 and the total MSRP rings up to a very attractive $20,045, making this a heckuva convincing value.

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the Kia Rio?

According to our data, the average 30-year-old female driver with a good record can expect an average annual premium of $1,900 for a Rio S hatchback. That compares to $1,968 for the Nissan Versa, $1,881 for a Hyundai Accent, $1,762 for a Chevrolet Spark and $1,744 for a Hyundai Venue. To get a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, visit our car insurance calculator.