DecodedCarsKia Rio
19 model years from 2005 to 2023, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2005–2023
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Latest engines
- 1.6L 4-cyl
- Best MPG
- 25–36 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2017)
- Recalls
- 6 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2013 (134)
- Fewest problems
- 2023
- Interest
- 8,902 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2023 Rio in brief
The 2023 Kia Rio is a compact car offered with a 1.6L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 160 inches long and 68 inches wide on a 102-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,549 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 36 MPG combined (32 city / 41 highway), 30% better than the 2023 compact car average of 27.6 MPG, for an estimated $1,850 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
The Kia Rio has 19 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2023.
Its most efficient year was 2023 at 36 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 25 to 36 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the engine (216), air bags (115), unknown or other (104).
Buying used? 2023 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2016 is the year to avoid.
2021 has the most recalls (2); all years together count 6 campaigns and 600 owner complaints.
How the 2005 Rio compares
The 2005 Kia Rio is a compact car offered with a 1.6L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 166 inches long and 66 inches wide on a 95-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,447 lb (4dr Hatch FWD /Rx-V/Rx-V Conv).
About the Kia Rio
The Kia Rio is a subcompact car manufactured by Kia, produced from 1999 to 2023.
From the Wikipedia article "Kia Rio", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2023 Rio pros & cons
Full 2023 details →What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 36 MPG combined — 30% better than the average 2023 compact car (27.6 MPG).
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
- Modest powerUp to 120 hp, versus about 189 hp for similar 2023 models.
Best and worst years to buy used
2023 Rio
12 owner complaints · 0 recalls
Year to avoid2016 Rio
79 owner complaints · 2 recalls · 6 fire reports · 8 crash reports
Most reported: Engine
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 9 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Rio changes by model year
- 2023
- New body dimensions: 12.6 in shorter — most likely a redesign or new generation
- 2020
- Best combined MPG up from 32 to 36
- 2018
- Lightest version 170 lb heavier
- 2014
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 4 stars overall
- 2012
- New body dimensions: 4.8 in longer, wheelbase +2.8 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Best combined MPG up from 30 to 32
- 2006
- New body dimensions: 1.2 in longer, wheelbase +3.5 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Best combined MPG up from 25 to 29
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 19 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 36 MPG | 160.2 in | 2,549 lb | Not rated | 0 | 12 |
| 2022 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 36 MPG | 172.8 in | 2,549 lb | Not rated | 1 | 12 |
| 2021 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 36 MPG | 172.8 in | 2,549 lb | Not rated | 2 | 15 |
| 2020 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 36 MPG | 172.8 in | 2,549 lb | Not rated | 1 | 27 |
| 2019 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 32 MPG | 172.8 in | 2,549 lb | Not rated | 1 | 22 |
| 2018 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 32 MPG | 172.8 in | 2,648 lb | Not rated | 1 | 28 |
| 2017 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 31 MPG | 171.7 in | 2,493 lb | ★★★★★ | 2 | 31 |
| 2016 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 31 MPG | 171.7 in | 2,493 lb | ★★★★★ | 2 | 79 |
| 2015 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 31 MPG | 171.7 in | 2,493 lb | ★★★★★ | 1 | 52 |
| 2014 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 31 MPG | 171.7 in | 2,573 lb | ★★★★★ | 1 | 47 |
| 2013 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 32 MPG | 171.7 in | 2,482 lb | Not rated | 1 | 134 |
| 2012 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 32 MPG | 171.7 in | 2,599 lb | Not rated | 1 | 46 |
| 2011 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 30 MPG | 166.9 in | 2,434 lb | Not rated | 0 | 13 |
| 2010 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 31 MPG | 166.9 in | 2,434 lb | Not rated | 0 | 11 |
| 2009 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 30 MPG | 166.9 in | 2,434 lb | Not rated | 0 | 21 |
| 2008 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 29 MPG | 166.9 in | 2,434 lb | Not rated | 1 | 17 |
| 2007 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 29 MPG | 166.9 in | 2,434 lb | Not rated | 1 | 12 |
| 2006 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 29 MPG | 166.9 in | 2,434 lb | Not rated | 1 | 16 |
| 2005 | 1.6L 4-cyl | 25 MPG | 165.7 in | 2,447 lb | Not rated | 0 | 5 |
Alternatives to the 2023 Rio
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Mazda 3 | 31 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2023 Volkswagen Golf/GTI | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage | 39 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2023 Volkswagen GLI | 30 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2023 Nissan Kicks | 33 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2023 Hyundai Venue | 31 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →