ENGINE, HORSEPOWER
The Rio that I tested featured a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine; with a 6-speed automatic transmission. A manual transmission option is also offered. The Rio boasts 130 horsepower and 119 lb.-ft. of torque. It is available with front-wheel drive only.
As the numbers would indicate, this isn’t a powerhouse of a vehicle. It has limited power, but there a sport mode that does make the ride a little more enjoyable, and due to its smaller size you can maneuver the Rio pretty well through traffic.
When you try to get up to speed quickly, the engine labors and can be pretty loud.
TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY
The Rio offers anti-lock brakes, traction control system, electronic stability control, hill-start assist control and a tire pressure monitoring system.
Safety and tech options include a Forward Collision Warning System, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility and the UVO eServices Infotainment system, which worked very well and is easy to master (voice commands worked well too). Bluetooth connectivity and USB/Aux jack are also included.
For a vehicle this small, having that many options on tech and safety is pretty impressive.
MPG
Official numbers are 28 city/37 highway/32 combined. During my driving in the Rio, which was mostly city driving, I averaged 28.5 mpg, so the numbers are aligned with reality, and these numbers are among the tops in the subcompact segment (compared to Honda, Fit, Toyota Yaris, Chevy Sonic, and others).
PRICE
The 2018 Kia Rio I tested (a Rio EX model) came in at $20,225, which is about as high as you’ll go with Rio pricing. But the base price is $13,900, so you have one of the lowest starting prices in the industry. Just be aware that with bare bones pricing you will lose many features. For those on a budget, though, the price is right. The LX trim level is the base, and S is the mid-level trim, with EX being the highest-end option.
BOTTOM LINE
The 2018 Kia Rio is what I like to call an “a to b” car. It gets you where you’re going, but it’s not a thrill to drive. But that's OK, as most drivers are a lot of car shoppers are “a to b” buyers, so it will still have an audience, especially when it’s surprisingly well-done interior is considered.
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Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu.
