2023 Kia Rio

A cheap and cheerless cabin. Swing open the Rio’s (four) side doors, and you’re confronted with the very definition of dynamic mediocrity. The flat rear bench and unremittingly grey dash are notable, as are the Millennial temperature dials. Everything looks and feels cheap – because it is – and only the large eight-inch touchscreen lifts the mood. You know you’re dealing with a basic vehicle when the only change for the 2023 model year concerns the introduction of an oil-level sensor. Even the plastics feel brittle, though Kia’s well-deserved reputation for longevity means they should withstand long-term use.

Bringing price back into the equation, you can at least rejoice in the cabin’s brightness, thanks to decent all-round visibility. There’s space for four on seats that are more comfortable than they look, even if five adults would be unduly well acquainted by journey’s end. The snub-tailed hatchback is easier to park than the longer sedan, and its 17.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity also trumps the sedan’s figure of just under 14. Base sedans don’t even have a split-folding seatback, which is a cost-cutting measure that buyers may live to regret.

Spend it if you’ve got it. You can add a split-folding rear seat to your Rio by ordering an S model. That’s a wise move; it costs only $500 more than the base trim, yet it adds cruise control and keyless entry among other features. Entry-level trim does incorporate air conditioning and smartphone mirroring through a large dash-dominating touchscreen, but you’ll be riding on steel wheels.

Safety is poor on base models, and the Rio is one of the relatively few cars on sale in America today without automatic emergency braking. The NHTSA has yet to crash-test it, while the IIHS has been reasonably complimentary. If your budget will stretch, the $1,800 Technology pack transforms the Rio’s safety with the aforementioned automatic braking alongside active lane control and auto high beams. When you consider it also bundles in satellite radio, climate, push-button start and digital instruments, it resembles outstanding value.

Adequate performance. Once again, we find ourselves defending the Rio’s limitations on account of its value. You can’t expect a dynamic, agile vehicle for $17,500. What you can expect – and what you’ll get – is adequate performance allied to a thoroughly comfortable ride. The CVT transmission will never be a keen driver’s choice, but it works well, while the steering is agile enough to make corners feel interesting rather than intimidating.

Despite riding very nicely, the suspension is pretty basic, and base models don’t even get disc brakes all round. Even so, the Rio isn’t pretending to be a driver’s car. Few people will ever attempt to wring all 120 horses out of its 1.6-liter gas engine or test the 15-inch wheels’ limits of adhesion. Even if you were so minded, the sheer amount of wind and road noise naturally encourages stately progress. Plus, you’d harm the Rio’s otherwise impressive fuel economy, standing at 36 MPG combined.

Final thoughts. Let’s assume by this point that you haven’t ruled the Rio out of consideration. What you really want to know is whether it has any dynamic shortcomings which outweigh its affordability. The simple answer is that it doesn’t – you can buy this car on a budget and not feel punished for your frugality. Every Rio rides nicely, with adequate performance and a spacious cabin that delivers the basics. It’s cheap to fuel and run, has an excellent warranty, and doesn’t demand much from its owners. The hatchback is more spacious and practical than the sedan, despite being smaller and therefore easier to park.

That’s the good news. On the downside, it’ll cost almost $20,000 to buy the best Rio – the S model with the safety-enhancing Technology pack added. For that sum, you could buy a secondhand sedan or hatchback with superior driving attributes and far more appealing internal/external design. This is where the Rio’s biggest threat comes from, though sub-$20,000 rivals like the Nissan Versa also provide a more rounded package with fewer limitations.

Check prices for the 2023 Kia Rio