hamburger icon

2018 Kia Rio

Change vehicle or year
Kia Rio OEM Exterior Primary Photo
OEM Interior Primary
OEM Exterior
OEM Exterior
OEM Interior
Photos Colors
Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2018 LX 4dr Sedan
most popular
Price:   -  From $13,900
2018 LX 4dr Hatchback Price:   -  From $14,200
2018 S 4dr Sedan Price:   -  From $16,100
2018 S 4dr Hatchback Price:   -  From $16,400
2018 EX 4dr Sedan Price:   -  From $18,400
2018 EX 4dr Hatchback Price:   -  From $18,700

Overview

When the Kia Rio first hit the US market at the turn of the century, it was the least expensive new car available, and it felt like it. The early Rios had a reputation for poor build quality, were sparsely equipped, and were the definition of basic transportation. Fast-forward to 2018, and Kia might as well be an entirely different company. The all-new 2018 Rio sedan and five-door hatchback are still quite inexpensive, but they both punch far above their price in terms of driving dynamics, design, and quality, setting an entirely new benchmark for cheap cars in the US.

What's New for 2018

The Kia Rio is a completely new model for 2018.

Kia Rio

Choosing Your Kia Rio

The 2018 Kia Rio can be had as either a four-door sedan or a five-door hatchback for a $300 premium. Both options have three trim levels: LX, S or EX. Regardless of configuration, the Rio is powered by an enhanced version of the 1.6-liter four cylinder from the last generation, giving the car a slightly improved fuel economy at 29 city, 37 highway, and 32 combined for cars equipped with the manual transmission (the automatic has a one mpg penalty in the city). Unfortunately, the push for fuel economy has slightly decreased engine power to 130 horsepower and 119 pound-feet of torque from the previous generation. That being said, the Rio’s output is still plenty for a car that weighs less than 3,000 pounds.

Both the sedan and the hatchback have a new interior that feels surprisingly upscale, even if standard features are sparse at lower trims. Kia has also made the Rio ride and handle better with a new suspension set up and a stiffer chassis, which helps greatly on longer trips.

Kia Rio

LX

The LX trim starts at a $14,795 for the sedan including an $895 destination fee. For this price, it is equipped with a manual transmission, air conditioning, a five-inch touchscreen infotainment system with satellite radio, a four-speaker audio system, power door locks, and a choice of three paint colors. At this trim level, the Rio hatchback comes with a folding rear seat, but the sedan does not. The only option besides dealer-installed accessories is the automatic transmission, which costs $1,090. Notably, the Rio LX is one of the few cars left on the market to feature manual windows.

Kia Rio

S

The S trim starts at $16,995 for the sedan, and adds quite a few standard features like Bluetooth hands-free capability, a standard automatic transmission, cruise control, keyless entry, a rear-view camera, and a six-speaker audio system. No packages or options are available at the S trim level, but the paint choices have been expanded to six colors.

Kia Rio

EX

The top-level EX trim starts at $19,295 for the sedan, but it brings a lot more to the table. The EX comes with alloy wheels, a larger seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic emergency braking, and forward collision warning, features usually not found on such a small vehicle. It also has access to the $500 EX Launch Edition package that offers red trim and partial leather seats, although for niceties like push-button start and heated front seats, you'll need to look elsewhere.

CarsDirect Tip

If you require a manual transmission, the best value seems to be in the Rio S. It’s only $1,110 more than an automatic-equipped LX, and you get much more in the way of creature comforts at a low price. The EX is a good value if you prioritize having autonomous emergency braking and forward collision warning, or want the capability of Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, but the price puts it in range of other small cars that can offer an all-around better experience, most notably the larger Honda Civic.

Get your price on a Kia Rio »

author image
Automotive Editor
Read Less

Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Writer

The all-new 2018 Kia Rio is longer, lower, and wider than the outgoing model with cleaner lines, a quieter interior, a suppler ride, and an engine that's more responsive in around-town driving. It's held back by the bare bones entry-level model, underpowered engine, and an expensive top trim that sidles into territory occupied by larger and more competent competitors.

Best Value

Pricing for the 2018 Kia Rio begins at $14,795 (including destination) for an LX sedan (the one trim available in either a sedan or hatchback body style) with a six-speed manual transmission, and rises to $20,225 for an example like our test vehicle: a six-speed automatic-equipped EX hatchback Launch Edition, finished in Urban Gray, with red accent leather seating and optional carpeted floor mats.

Looking over the lineup, we'd pass on the hair shirt LX sedan that's outfitted with crank windows and manual mirrors – both rarities, even in the small car class. We'd also hesitate to spend our cash on one like our tester that sports a price that edges into territory staked out by larger and dynamically superior compacts like Mazda's Mazda3.

This leads us to the S trim, where our choice is the slightly pricier (by $300) – but better looking and more versatile – hatchback model. Stepping up from the base LX not only adds electric assist to the windows and mirrors plus an automatic transmission, but also graces the Rio's exterior with body-color door handles and heated outside mirrors. Inside, it ups the ante with an overhead console with map lights and a sunglass holder, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, adjustable rear headrests, a center console, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, front and rear USB ports, and remote keyless entry.

A rearview camera is standard across the lineup, and low-speed automatic emergency braking is standard – and only offered – on the EX trim.

Here's how we'd build it:

  • Model: 2018 Kia Rio 5-Door S (hatchback)
  • Engine: 1.6-liter four-cylinder
  • Output: 130 hp / 119 lb-ft
  • Transmission:Six-speed automatic
  • Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
  • MPG: 28 City / 37 Hwy
  • Options: Carpeted floor mats ($130)
  • Base Price: $17,295 (including the $895 destination fee)
  • Best Value Price:$17,425

Performance

Kia Rio

Revised springs and dampers offer a smoother, more compliant ride, while the reworked engine means more power at lower revs for better around-town performance. Major bumps as well as minor are handled with ease, the ride is quieter than the outgoing model, steering feel is improved, and four-wheel disc brakes are standard – a rarity in this class. In addition, with an EPA-estimated 28 miles per gallon in the city, 37 mpg on the highway, and 32 combined, the Rio holds its own against competitors from Honda, Nissan, Ford, and Chevrolet. Our own observed, vehicle-measured fuel economy was 34.3 miles per gallon in suburban driving.

But it's hardly perfection, as passing on the freeway can be challenging and steering feel is hampered by poor on-center feedback through the steering wheel. In addition, there's quite a bit of body lean in corners, while the narrow P185/65 R15 Continental ProContact tires do the suspension system no favors – squealing in protest during the slightest attempt at aggressive driving. At the same time, the brakes – though decent – are more difficult to modulate than they should be and there's little initial bite to the pads, while a manual transmission is only available on the stripped-down entry model, and the "Sport" button – a cure for the automatic transmission's tendency to hunt for the right gear when accelerating or decelerating – means taking a hit to fuel economy.

Style

The exterior's more chiseled appearance works best on the hatchback. Up front, the narrow "tiger nose" grille is nestled between the headlight enclosures and sits above a large, aggressive lower air intake. On EX models, vertical faux air intakes containing round fog lights bracket the lower grille. Along the sides, a mid-door character line and sculpted swage line break up the slab-sided look, while the wheels, pushed out even further to the corners, give it a more aggressive stance.

The Rio's subcompact exterior dimensions belie an interior with a combined 103.6 cubic feet (in the smaller sedan) of passenger and cargo volume, placing the Rio solidly in the EPA's compact class. The front seats are comfortable with decent bolsters, while four six-foot adults – albeit with a bit of negotiation – can sit behind each other. Instrumentation – as expected of a vehicle in this price range – is simple and straightforward. The controls are large, easy to reach from the driver's position, and intuitive to use with redundant buttons and knobs for all major functions operated by the touchscreen – if only most luxury vehicles were this simple.

At the same time, only the driver's seat features a vertical adjustment, neither front seat comes with a lumbar adjustment, while the leather seats on the pricey Launch Edition aren't heated – a big problem for those of us that live in the colder states. In addition, the trim, though nicely grained, is comprised nearly entirely of hard plastics, the door armrests – one of the few soft touch areas – aren't ergonomic, while the center console offers too little real estate for both front occupants to rest their arms simultaneously.

The Best and Worst Things

The Rio's comfortable, quieter cabin, and smoother ride make it more appealing than the outgoing model.

A powertrain tuned for around-town driving and steering that lacks on-center feel translates to a less than the ideal highway cruiser.

Right For? Wrong For?

Kia Rio

Despite a dearth of electrically-assisted features, the Rio's attractive entry-level price point could be appealing to value-oriented buyers.

A lack of advanced safety features means safety-focused buyers will be looking elsewhere.

The Bottom Line

Despite the base model's abbreviated list of standard features and a pricey top trim, the 2018 Kia Rio is a solid contender in the subcompact class thanks to its quiet, comfortable interior, smoother ride, and excellent fuel economy.

Read Less

Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Available
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
1.6L I-4 / 130 HP / 119 ft.lbs.
Transmission
Standard: 6-spd man w/OD
Available: 6-spd sequential shift control auto w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
29 / 37 / 33 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
1.6L I-4 / 130 HP / 119 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
29 / 37 / 33 Mpg
Brakes
Front Disc/rear Drum
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Semi-independent Torsion Beam Beam
Spare Tire And Wheel
Fuel Tank
11.9 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$45
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
13.7 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
90 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
172.6 "
Exterior Width
67.9 "
Exterior Height
57.1 "
Front Headroom
38.9 "
Rear Headroom
37.4 "
Front Legroom
42.1 "
Rear Legroom
33.5 "
Front Shoulder Room
54.1 "
Rear Shoulder Room
53.3 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
2,648 Lbs. / 2,727 Lbs.
Wheel Base
102 "
Turning Radius
16.7 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
15.0 " Steel
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Pearlcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Manual
Bumpers
Body-colored With Black Insert
Grille Moldings
Black
Rear Spoiler
Exhaust
Stainless Steel
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
6-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
6-way
Rear Armrests
Rear Seats
60-40 Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Siriusxm Am/fm/satellite, Clock, Seek-scan / Clock
Speakers
4
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Remote Keyless Entry
Power Outlets
1
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Major Components Months
120 Months / 100,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / 100,000 Miles
Accessories Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles

Used 2018 Kia Rio for Sale

1 vehicles found within 100 miles of your area
Kia
LX
Color: Clear White
Price

$10,549

Mileage

95,793 mi

Map location icon

Garden Grove KIA (29 mi)

Phone: (888) 992-1820

Other Kia Rio Listings

We have expanded the search to include other Kia Rio years that you might be interested in.

Kia
S
Color: Aurora Black
Price

$13,042

Mileage

77,380 mi

Map location icon

Redondo Mitsubishi (4 mi)

Kia
S
Color: White
Price

$15,395

Mileage

84,545 mi

Map location icon

DriveTime Downey (16 mi)

Phone: (562) 940-9360
Kia
LX
Color: White
Price

$13,195

Mileage

75,957 mi

Map location icon

DriveTime Downey (16 mi)

Phone: (562) 940-9360
See All Used Car Listings