S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
S 5dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl IVT)
S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl IVT)
S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl IVT)
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S 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 120 hp CVT)
LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
Overall Rating
The 2021 Kia Rio is a direct rival to the likes of Honda Civic, Toyota Yaris and Hyundai Accent. Read our in-depth review and pricing analysis of the 2021 Kia Rio to get a clearer picture of how it is strategically placed in the U.S. market.Â
The 2021 Kia Rio sedan is one of the most budget-friendly subcompact sedans available in the markets. The Rio from the Korean Kia has been really popular among the folks for practicality, utility, and comfort with an efficient engine under the hood. The 2021 Kia Rio sedan, a part of the fourth generation, gets a mild refresh and comes with moderately restyled front and rear fascia, and an updated infotainment system.Â
Speaking of prices, the 2021 Kia Rio Sedan is offered in 2 trims - LX and S. The 2021 Kia Rio's price starts from $16,050 for the base LX trim and ranges up to $16,690 for the S trim. If you are looking to lease a Kia Rio Sedan, expect it to cost you around $258 per month, for 36 months, with a down payment of $2,258.Â
The 2021 Kia Rio Sedan is expected to start sales by the end of 2020. Rio is an extremely compelling buy in the segment as it gives you all modern tech features, better fuel economy, safety and driver-assistance technology, upscale interior and exterior fascia with ease of handling, all within an affordable price.
Choosing from the two available trim levels purely depends on what you need and how much would you be able to spend. The base LX trim is indeed well equipped but the S trim gives you a lot more within a smaller price difference. Therefore we would recommend the ‘S’ trim for the Rio sedan.
S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
S 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
The 2021 Kia Rio is a direct rival to the likes of Honda Civic, Toyota Yaris and Hyundai Accent. Read our in-depth review and pricing analysis of the 2021 Kia Rio to get a clearer picture of how it is strategically placed in the U.S. market.Â
The 2021 Kia Rio sedan is one of the most budget-friendly subcompact sedans available in the markets. The Rio from the Korean Kia has been really popular among the folks for practicality, utility, and comfort with an efficient engine under the hood. The 2021 Kia Rio sedan, a part of the fourth generation, gets a mild refresh and comes with moderately restyled front and rear fascia, and an updated infotainment system.Â
Speaking of prices, the 2021 Kia Rio Sedan is offered in 2 trims - LX and S. The 2021 Kia Rio's price starts from $16,050 for the base LX trim and ranges up to $16,690 for the S trim. If you are looking to lease a Kia Rio Sedan, expect it to cost you around $258 per month, for 36 months, with a down payment of $2,258.Â
The 2021 Kia Rio sedan will be offered in 2 trim levels: LX and S. The LX being the base variant, comes at a starting price of $16,050 and gets some very practical features like front and rear airbags, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The top of the line ‘S’ model will set you back about $16,690 and packs a bit more luxurious features like 60:40 split rear seats and a Forward Collision-Avoidance system (FCA).
The 2021 Kia Rio proves to be a great value for money as it is priced well under $20,000 and being a part of Hyundai, is a very reliable and well-made sedan. The 2021 Rio is practical to drive around the city and feels confident on the freeways. Along with a long list of standard features, the Rio is a comfortable compact sedan, which is very practically designed.
Trims |
LX |
S |
---|---|---|
MSRP |
$16,050 |
$16,690 |
Key Features |
Front and Rear Airbags |
Adds/Upgrades from previous trim |
|
Anti-lock Braking System |
Supervision Meter Cluster w/ 3.5-inch Display |
|
Electronic Stability Control |
Center Console w/ Sliding Armrest and Storage |
|
Electronic-Brake Force Distribution |
Rear-Seat Adjustable Headrests |
|
7-inch Touch-Screen Display and AM/FM/MP3 Audio System |
60/40 Split-Folding Rear Seat |
|
Android Auto and Apple Carplay |
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) |
|
Rear-view Parking monitor |
View 2021 Kia Rio Specs & Features >>
Choosing from the two available trim levels purely depends on what you need and how much would you be able to spend. The base LX trim is indeed well equipped but the S trim gives you a lot more within a smaller price difference. Therefore we would recommend the ‘S’ trim for the Rio sedan.
"The Rio wasn't that quick with its last engine. But Kia says it's more efficient, capable of 41 mpg highway and 36 mpg combined, gains of roughly 10%." - Edmunds
The 2021 Kia Rio Sedan gets a 1.6L Naturally Aspirated I-4 Engine under the hood that pumps around 120 hp and 112 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission with Electronic Precision Shifts. The smooth and efficient CVT along with standard front-wheel drivetrain gets you a good amount of road performance along with efficiency.
The 2021 Kia Rio rides comfortably on a well-tuned suspension setup, that absorbs the road abnormalities with ease. The compact design of the 2021 Rio makes it very easily maneuverable through the tight city streets and narrow parking lots. It feels comfortable through the traffic and stable on the freeways.
Models |
2021 Kia Rio Sedan |
2021 Toyota Corolla |
2021 Hyundai Accent |
2021 Honda Civic |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$16,050 |
$20,025 |
$15,395 |
$21,250 |
Engine |
1.6L Naturally Aspirated I-4 |
1.8L Naturally Aspirated I-4 |
1.6L Naturally Aspirated I-4 |
2.0L Naturally Aspirated I-4 |
Drivetrain |
FWD |
FWD |
FWD |
FWD |
Transmission |
CVT |
CVT |
CVT |
CVT |
Power |
120 hp @ 6300 rpm |
139 hp @ 6100 rpm |
120 hp @ 6300 rpm |
158 hp @ 6500 rpm |
Torque |
112 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm |
126 lb-ft @ 3900 rpm |
113 lb-ft @ 4850 rpm |
138 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm |
0-60 (secs) |
8.2 |
8.9 |
8.5 |
8.9 |
Quarter mile (secs) |
16.5 |
17.4 |
16.7 |
17.0 |
Top Speed (MPH) |
117 |
115 |
124 |
124 |
The acceleration figures of the 2021 Kia Rio is hugely affected by its torque figures. The 2021 Kia Rio can go from 0-60 mph in around 8.2 seconds. The top speed is estimated to be 117 mph. The 2021 Kia Rio outshines its competitors in straight-line acceleration. The 2021 Kia Rio also gets 11-inch ventilated disc brakes at the front and 8-inch solid disc brakes at the rear.
Speaking of rivals, the Honda Civic's 2.0L I4 engine is the biggest displacement engine here churning out the best power figures. However, the Civic is also the most expensive offering in this class. The 2021 Toyota Corolla's 139 hp 1.8L I-4 engine ranks second, while the Hyundai Accent's 1.6L engine is the same setup as that of the Rio.
View 2021 Kia Rio Performance >>
The 2021 Kia Rio sedan with a 1.6L engine gets 33 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway which is the best in this segment. Sum these figures up, and the 2021 Kia Rio is good for a combined 36 mpg. The humble 1.6L engine and an effective CVT are the major contributors to better fuel economy.
The fuel tank accommodates around 11.9 gallons which provide a range of 392/487/425 miles on city/highway/combined. The Kia also implements the Stop and Go system, which intelligently switches the engine off on stop-light so that lesser fuel is consumed.
Models |
2021 Kia Rio |
2021 Toyota Corolla |
2021 Hyundai Accent |
2021 Honda Civic |
---|---|---|---|---|
MPG (City) |
33 |
30 |
33 |
30 |
MPG (Highway) |
41 |
38 |
41 |
38 |
MPG (Combined) |
36 |
33 |
36 |
34 |
Fuel Capacity |
11.9 |
13.2 |
11.9 |
12.4 |
Range (City/Hwy/Combined) |
392/487/425 |
409/ 502/ 448 | 392/487/425 |
310/466/380 |
All the rivals in this comparison are more or less in the same ballpark in terms of fuel economy. The Kia Rio's mpg and the Hyundai Accent's mpg are the same as both tops the charts with 36 mpg combined. The Honda Civic slots in the third spot with 34 mpg combined, while the Corolla ranks last. However, the 2021 Toyota Corolla gets the biggest fuel tank, thus returning the best range.
View 2021 Kia Rio Fuel Economy and Range>>
"Simplicity is the name of the game inside the Rio, and that's not a slight. In fact, it presents a clean, easy-to-use dashboard with climate and audio controls." - Car and Driver
The interiors of the 2021 Kia Rio Sedan are spacious, comfortable, and packed with tech. Being an entry-level subcompact vehicle, Rio gets you almost everything a car can give. The quality and aesthetics of the interiors for its price point will surprise you. The front seats are power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated with ample space for the occupants.Â
The steering wheel is also heated and comes with tilt and telescopic functionality. The rear seats are a bit cramped for the legs to be placed freely. The sedan is going to get a standard Sporty Blue interior color package for the 2021 model which would grab your eyes for sure.Â
Models |
2021 Kia Rio |
2021 Toyota Corolla |
2021 Hyundai Accent |
2021 Honda Civic |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seating Capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
38.9/54.1/42.1 |
38.2/53.2/41.9 |
38.9/54.2/42.1 |
39.3/57/42.3 |
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
37.4/53.3/33.5 |
36.8/50/34.4 |
37.3/53.7/33.5 |
37.1/55/37.4 |
Cargo Capacity (cu.ft.) | 13.7 | 13.1 | 13.7 | 14.7 |
Speaking of practicality, the 2021 Kia Rio offers a cargo capacity of 13.7 cubic feet behind the second row of seats. Surprisingly, the base Rio does not get 60/40 split-folding seats, limiting the hauling capacity since the seats do not fold flat. However, with an upgrade to S, that problem is sorted. The maximum cargo capacity of the Rio Sedan with seat area is 32.8 cubic feet.Â
Like every other car from the manufacturer, the Kia Rio also gets an intuitive and well-placed infotainment screen featuring a new 8-inch touchscreen display and the most wanted features such as Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto with standard Radio, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity.
The Infotainment screen is ergonomically placed so that the position demands the least eye travel from the road which makes things hassle-free for the driver. The screen is at an easy reach of the driver and the passenger which makes it more friendly. Some of the key interior features of the 2021 Kia Rio are:
View 2021 Kia Rio Interiors >>
"Kia stripped the economy-car stereotype out of the Rio in this generation. It’s handsomely shaped with purposeful details—exactly what we want to see in a sub-$20,000 economy car." - TheCarConnection
The 2021 Kia Rio is going to witness newer styling factors in the exterior silhouette. With simple and modern looks the Kia Rio Sedan looks sleek and stylish. The front design has been refreshed and the signature tiger-nose grille has been narrowed. The full LED headlights and eye-catching exterior shades give a good road presence.
The Rio gets standard Halogen headlights whereas LED headlights are made available. Even though the sedan and hatch share almost the same wheelbase, the sedan is 13 inches longer. The new 8-spoke 16” alloy wheels are made available for the 2021 Kia Rio as standard.
Models |
2021 Kia Rio |
2021 Toyota Corolla |
2021 Hyundai Accent |
2021 Honda Civic |
---|---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
2,767 |
2840 |
2,623 |
2,771 |
Length (in) |
172.6 |
182.5 |
172.6 |
182.7 |
Width (in) |
67.9 |
70.1 |
68.1 |
70.9 |
Height (in) |
57.1 |
56.5 |
57.1 |
55.7 |
Ground Clearance (in) |
5.5 |
5.1 |
5.6 |
5.2 |
Wheelbase (in) |
101.6 |
106.3 |
101.6 |
106.3 |
The Honda Civic is a well-proportionate sedan being the longest, widest but the shortest in the competition. The 2021 Toyota Corolla's dimensions follow the suit after the Civic. Whereas, the Kia Rio and the Hyundai Accent slot in the lower half of the comparison with almost similar dimensions. Some of the most notable exterior features of the 2021 Kia Rio are:
View 2021 Kia Rio Gallery >>
The safety features offered by the 2021 Kia Rio are one of the class-leading ones with a lot of standard and available active and passive features. The previous models of Rio have won the Top Safety Pick title from the IIHS and this time with a lot more features, Kia would get the Top Safety Pick+ award. A lot more features are to be indulged into the Rio Sedan which would surely win your heart.
The necessary features such as Forward Collision, Blind Spot Collision, Intelligent speed limit warning, Lane-change assist, Adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, and many more are made standard. The robust structure is reinforced with 30% more advanced high-strength steel for increased rigidity. Some of the other eminent safety features of the 2021 Kia Rio are:
View 2021 Kia Rio Safety >>
The Toyota Corolla is one of the major players in the entry-level sedan segment. However, when compared against the Kia Rio, the Corolla is comparatively more expensive, with a starting price of $20,025. However, at this price, the Corolla gets a bigger engine, displacing more power, a more tech-forward and spacious cabin. Yet, the Kia Rio clutches back the game with better cargo space, fuel economy, and of course the economical price tag.
The Kia and Hyundai, being corporate cousins, share similar pieces of equipment. However, Accent lacks safety features in the base trim but Kia ensures that safety is ensured in both its trims. The rest of the factors are almost similar, but Kia does better with efficiency and tech inside.
The Civic is the majors league in the entry-level sedan segment. The 2021 Honda Civic is unbeatable in almost every aspect, be it power, driving experience, ride quality, interior and cargo space, safety, or exterior design. However, Honda also charges the premium for this supremacy as the 2021 Honda Civic's starting price of $21,250 makes it most expensive offering in this comparison.
The 2021 Kia Rio Sedan is one of the most compelling choices if you are looking for an entry-level sub-compact vehicle. The sleek but stylish Rio comes with everything you would expect and more within the best price someone can offer. The safe, efficient, rideable, comfortable, and tech-filled Kia Rio would force us to title it as the best choice you shall have in this segment. The Korean Rio would never let you rethink.
Great discounts on brand new 2021 Kia Rio for sale near you>>