Used 2011 Kia Rio for sale 

Three trims are offered for the 2011 Kia Rio. These include Base, LX, and SX trims. The Rio standard equipment list includes air-conditioning, steering wheel audio controls, and a four-speaker audio system with auxiliary and USB ports. Other features like cruise control, a center console with armrests, power windows, and power door locks cost extra in terms of safety. Options for the Rio are divided into packages. 

A Convenience package adds alloy wheels, fog lamps, automatic headlights, and a UVO infotainment system that combines Bluetooth, a 4.3-inch touchscreen, and a backup camera. Offer for the SX trim is a Premium package including navigation, push-button start, leather seats, and heated front seats. 

Buying Advice

We recommend you to buy the SX trim as it is open to all kinds of convenience and technology packages. Along with basic standard features, it also adds leather-trimmed seats and steering wheel, fog lamps, heated exterior mirrors, and chrome exhaust tips. 

The Kia Rio features a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 110 horsepower and 107 pound-feet of torque. On higher trims, power is sent to the front wheels via a four-speed automatic. A five-speed manual is also available but only on the base trim. The Kia Rio’s main job is to carry its occupants to where they need to go with minimal fuss in most situations. It does that job well though there is room for some improvement. 

For example, despite having class-hopping horsepower under the hood, acceleration in the Rio is just okay. The Rio also exhibits a notable lack of steering feel. Adding a welcome dash of sportiness is the SX trim which grips well on the corners with 17-inch wheels and the ride comfort is pretty much good. 

The Nissan Versa is the fastest contender in this segment. It may be quick in acceleration but takes its time in the quarter-mile run. With just a millisecond difference, the Ford Fiesta grabs the second spot followed by the Toyota Yaris and the Rio. 

The Kia Rio is also known for its excellent fuel economy. With a manual transmission, the Rio returns 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. If you opt for the automatic transmission, the highway figure is increased to 36 mpg but city mileage is reduced by 1 mpg. Helping to improve the economy is an automatic engine shutoff option that saves fuel by shutting down the engine when the vehicle is stopped, starting it back up when the driver releases the brake. 

Despite housing a small fuel tank, the Toyota Yaris excels in this segment with a combined mileage of 32 mpg. The Kia Rio and the Ford Fiesta take the second and third spots on the table. It is also worthy to note that the Fiesta offers 37 mpg on the highway. With poor fuel estimates, the Nissan Versa is pushed to the last. 

The interior of the Kia Rio is smartly arranged with a simple-looking dash and logically-arranged controls. The base trim is dominated by hard plastics but higher trims feature soft materials on the dash and armrests. Leather seat trim is also available adding a nice unexpected touch of luxury. 

The Rio seats may be too firm for some tastes and the front headrests are a bit intrusive but overall, the cabin is accommodating with a good amount of space in the front and rear. Trunk space is okay with 11.9 cubic feet though a high lifting height impedes the loading of cargo. 

The front legroom offered in the Nissan Versa might be less for taller passengers. Likewise, the rear legroom in the Ford Fiesta is ridiculously less offering just 31.2 inches only. In terms of cargo space, the Kia Rio offers the least trunk volume while the Versa displays its most practical side. Some of the other interior features include:

• Leather shift knob and steering wheel
• Keyless entry
• Tilt-adjustable steering wheel
• 8-way manually-adjustable driver’s seat with adjustable lumbar support
• Cloth, premium cloth, and leather upholstery
• Front cupholders

How intuitive is the 2011 Kia Rio’s infotainment system?

Technology is a touchy point in the Kia Rio. The Base and LX trims just come with an in-dash CD player with USB and MP3 compatibility and a four-speaker stereo system. The top-end SX trim can be equipped with a UVO infotainment system as an optional upgrade. It adds a small 4.3-inch screen with mediocre graphics for navigation purposes. Some of the other features include:

• SiriusXM
• AM/FM stereo
• USB port
• Audio auxiliary input
• Bluetooth connectivity

The 15-inch steel wheels with wheel covers come standard on the sedan but alloy wheels are included on higher trims.

Reserved for the SX trim are an optional sunroof and power-folding side mirrors. 

For a sedan body style, the Nissan Versa has slightly more ground clearance than its rivals. Also, it is the longest sedan with more than 9 inches difference from the Rio. The 98-inch wheelbase of the Ford Fiesta means relatively less interior room than the Toyota Yaris and the Versa. Some other exterior features include:

• Chrome exhaust tips
• Body-colored door handles
• Body-colored rear spoiler
• Fog lamps
• Power mirrors

An overall safety rating of four out of five stars has been awarded by NHTSA to the new Kia Rio. However, it earned only three stars in the side-impact test. The Base trim doesn’t come much with safety features either standard or optional but six airbags are standard on all trims. Some safety features are available on the higher trims but they are very limited. These include:

• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Anti-lock brakes
• Side-impact door beams 
• Seatbelt pretensioners

With a starting price of just $12,295, Kia Rio is one of the most affordable cars on the market. You’ll like the Rio if you want a good-looking with good fuel efficiency and a reasonable sum. The Rio also opens up an impressive array of options to car buyers. When equipped, the price for the Rio can swell in the low $20,000 range. At that price, you might be tempted to move up a class to the larger Kia Forte, Honda Civic, or Ford Focus. In that case, you may drop the idea of buying the Kia Rio.