Car:Kia Rio EX hatchback

Review: 2015 

The Kia Rio is the unlikely luxury car of its class. Past generations of Rio have been decidedly basic, often to a fault. But since its latest redesign, in 2012, it's stood out from fellow subcompacts with a comfortable and respectably trimmed interior, along with a relatively peppy engine, relatively long options list, and relatively quiet ride.
To be clear, calling the Rio the luxury car among $17,000 subcompact cars isn't equating it to a Mercedes-Benz. But it consistently avoids feeling cheap.
Execution of the Rio could have been better in a number of ways, though. The steering isn't as natural-feeling as the mechanically-related Hyundai Accent – the Kia's responses are slower and muddier. The ride quality, too, is a little worse than the Hyundai, and although its safety ratings are better than the Accent's, the Rio's still aren't especially impressive. Fuel economy ties for last place in this comparison (with the Accent and two competitors). And interior room isn't terribly impressive by today's standards for the class.
If you'd like a small, affordable car that feels less basic than its competitors, consider making those tradeoffs. But if fancier cabin trim and some extra noise suppression aren't a priority to you, you could be happier in a competing subcompact.
To look at
Compared to the swoopy, creased bodywork of the Accent, the Rio has more of a restrained appearance that looks more like a European small car than an Asian one. Headlights and taillights are big and rounded. The overall stance is aggressive, though, with the steep slope of the windowline helping the Rio lean forward into its short nose.
The Rio seen in most of the exterior photographs is a base LX (in fact a 2013-model rental car); the EX, more in line with the other cars in this comparison, is dressed up a little with some chrome trim on the grille but is otherwise visually identical.
Interior design is also restrained and mature, though borderline plain for some. It's ergonomically sound, though, with refreshingly simple controls even on higher-end models with an available touchscreen radio.
Even more impressive, as noted before, the build quality of the Rio's interior. Materials look and feel very nice for an economy car, and buttons and knobs that feel chintzy on most competitors are great in this Kia. The EX has some nicer materials than the base LX – a standard padded door armrest and center console armrest, plus an optional rubbery padded dash. But even the cheapest Rio has nicely grained plastics that belie its economy car status.
To be in
Besides its high-quality interior, the Rio also has comfortable front seats that feel a little cushier than the Accent's, and with richer fabric trim. As in the Hyundai, you have less of a high upright seating position and more of the spread-out feel you'd find in a larger car.
Drivers do suffer, though, from poor rear visibility, as in the Accent. The sloping roofline and a thick roof pillar contribute to constricted views and a large blind spot. Traffic coming from the right was invisible from the driver's seat during a left turn at a Y-shaped intersection.
The Rio's rear seat is a little nicer than in the Hyundai, though neither of the two has as much room as the best subcompacts. Two adults will fit without much fuss but without great comfort levels.
The Accent is a little larger than the Rio, and that manifests itself largely in some extra cargo space behind the rear seat in the Hyundai compared to this Kia. But both appear similar in the real world, and the Rio has a handy optional feature (lacking in the Accent) that raises the cargo floor to be level with the folded seatback.
In general, cargo specs are impressive in the Rio and Accent, but both cars' real-world utility is diminished by a small back hatch opening. The Rio's seems a little larger, though, and its cargo hold seems less encumbered by protrusions.
The Rio is also available as a four-door sedan. The tested five-door is one of two subcompact hatchbacks in the Kia lineup, slotting under the much roomier, much pricier, and much less fuel-efficient Soul.
To drive
If only the Rio had the steering of the Accent. Though the Hyundai isn't really sporty, there's a natural directness and responsiveness to its steering that makes it more enjoyable to drive. The Kia, meanwhile, feels unnatural – effort is inconsistent and responses are slower. It's not as bad as in the larger Kia Forte, but it detracts from agility that's evident in the Rio's respectable handling poise.
It's especially disappointing that the steering didn't turn out better in the Rio because Kia appears to have sacrificed ride quality to improve handling. The car is steady and solid-feeling on the highway, but bumps can punch through somewhat sharply.
The Rio shares its 1.6-liter 138-horsepower engine and six-speed automatic transmission with the Accent; these two cars tie with the turbocharged Chevrolet Sonic as the class powerhouses, and decent pep backs up the spec-sheet claim. The engine is smooth and quiet unless you floor it, but you need to do so less than in most competing subcompacts.
Gas mileage, though, trails newer competitors. When this reviewer placed the Rio in second place of 10 subcompacts (behind only the Accent) in 2012, it had higher EPA ratings; those subsequently fell by 2 mpg in mixed driving after an investigation uncovered improper testing procedures. The Rio is now rated for 27 miles per gallon in the city, 37 mpg on the highway, and 31 mpg in mixed driving, tied with the Accent, Sonic, and Ford Fiesta for last place in this comparison. An available $400 Eco package deactivates the engine at idle but struggles to pay for itself, as its only mileage boost is 1 mpg in the city.
This reviewer recently observed 33.8 mpg from the 2013 Rio rental in a mix of interstate and back-roads driving, and has observed 31.9 mpg and 32.5 mpg from two Rios tested in the past on loan from Kia.
To buy
Just like the Rio is the unexpected premium car in this class, it's also unexpectedly expensive given its position as the entry-level model to an entry-level brand. A mid-level Rio EX with no options has a sticker price of $18,055, which you can expect to haggle down to about $16,463. That puts it in the heart of the comparison, over $1,000 more than the value leader.
To some buyers, the extra dash of quality in the Rio will make that extra cost a no-brainer over a cheaper-feeling competitor. Solo commuters will also likely prioritize this Kia's refinement over the extra space found in a number of competitors.
2015 Kia Rio EX
Vehicle base price (MSRP): $13,990
Version tested: EX 5-door (2014)
Version base price (MSRP): $17,140
Vehicle price as tested (MSRP): $19,515
Vehicle price as comparable (MSRP)*: $18,055
Estimated transaction price as comparable**: $16,463
Test vehicle provided by: Ourisman Chantilly Kia; Chantilly, Va.
Key specifications:
Length: 159.3 inches
Width: 67.7 inches
Height: 57.3 inches
Wheelbase: 101.2 inches
Weight: 2,483 pounds
Cargo volume behind rear seat: 15.0 cubic feet
Cargo volume with seat folded: 49.8 cubic feet
Turning circle: 33.4 feet
Engine: 1.6-liter I4 with 138 horsepower
Transmission (as tested): 6-speed automatic
EPA city mileage: 27 miles per gallon
EPA highway mileage: 37 miles per gallon
EPA combined mileage: 31 miles per gallon
Observed mileage during test: 33.8 miles per gallon
Fuel capacity: 11.4 gallons
Assembly location: South Korea
For more information: Kia website