2018 Kia Rio5 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Completely redesigned, the 2018 Kia Rio adds style and substance to maintain its shocking stature as one of the best subcompact options on the market.
The redesigned Rio expands its physical presence, adding half an inch to its length and wheelbase and a few extra pounds to its heft while still remaining solidly subcompact. Available in hatchback and sedan configurations, the 2018 model sharpens the styling to avoid the bubble feel of the last generation. As a result, the hatchback takes on the look of a mini rally car, with a sharp new front end and classic lines cutting across its flank.
Sedan or hatchback, the Rio is available in three trim levels: LX, S, and EX. Starting with the EX, the $13,900 version gets you a 6-speed manual transmission—it’s another $1090 for the 6-speed automatic—plus automatic headlights, air conditioning, a tilt steering wheel, a rear-view camera in a 5-inch touchscreen display, plus a 4-speaker stereo with satellite radio and ports for USB and auxiliary audio jacks. That’s an impressive list for a base trim priced at under 14 grand, however this is a base trim. Ready for a trip back in time? The Rio LX comes with manual locks, windows, and side mirrors as well.
If you don’t fancy the '90s auto experience with manual everything, the S sits firmly in the 21st century with keyless entry for the power locks along with power windows, heated power mirrors, cruise control, map lights, and a 6-speaker stereo with Bluetooth and an extra USB charging port. Another major change here is the inclusion of a sliding armrest on the center console with added storage, a game changer for the Rio interior and a major reason people will be willing to jump up to the $16,100 MSRP.
Want to go all out? For $18,400 the LX upgrades to alloy wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen with the Uvo infotainment system, which means you get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The LX also comes standard with a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, fog lights, chrome grille, leather for the steering wheel and shifter, upgraded cloth upholstery, dual lighted vanities, and a forward-collision warning system with auto brake.
To enjoy the pleasure of the 5-door hatchback configuration you’ll pay an extra $300. My week was spent in an LX-trimmed hatchback with the 6-speed automatic transmission. With $130 floor mats and an $895 delivery charge, the total price came to $16,315.
Every Rio gets a 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder engine producing 130 hp and 119 lb-ft of torque. That power figure represents an 8-hp drop from the outgoing model, but Kia claims to have tuned the engine for more “usable power”—meaning peak power has moved down into the lower revs. I’d call BS, but this engine is everything Kia claims it to be. It’s responsive down low, as you’re not waiting for a turbo to spool, and the 6-speed transmission downshifts quickly for passing power. You’re not going to be blown away by the performance, but you’re going to get every bit of what the engine has to give without having to resort to begging, and that’s something a lot of small turbocharged engines can’t claim today, even if they are more powerful.
The EPA rates the Rio at 28 mpg city and 37 highway for a combined rating of 32 mpg, but my averages were closer to the mid-30s, with one 100-mile stretch of mixed highway and city driving netting me 38 mpg. That’s impressive.
Suspension and steering got some attention as well, and the result is positive. Steering is quite direct and very light while still providing enough resistance and nearly no dead zone, and the suspension manages the blend between firm confidence and comfort appropriately, with no crashing or hopping over rough surfaces. Even better, the little Rio has a turning radius of under 17 feet, so U-turns are no problem.
The Rio has not yet been tested with regard to safety or braking distance. Last year, the Rio managed a stopping distance of 124 feet, which is average for the class. With larger brakes and a stiffer chassis this year, improvement is a possibility, but that must be balanced with the 2018 Rio’s 150 extra pounds.
The LX’s manual locks, windows, and mirrors were curious anachronisms. How quickly we forget the old days. Reaching across the cabin to adjust the passenger-side mirror, only to settle back into the driver’s seat and see—nope, it’s still not perfect—and having to reach over and do it again. Or the joys of winding down rear windows from the driver’s seat, and good luck if you decide you want them open while already cruising down the highway. The real testament is how impatient people get when you have to unlock your door and get in before you can reach over and unlock their door. We just get used to these things and eventually take them for granted.
But it all worked. And in a subcompact it’s all accessible, except maybe the driver’s-side rear window. Still, I see most people moving up to the S for the power accessories we’ve all come to know and love. The good news is, the Rio is quite roomy. Kia paid special attention to the space inside, getting help from a more upright windshield, plus a thinner headliner and seatbacks. A slightly stretched wheelbase and reconfigured interior results in an extra 2 inches of legroom for rear passengers, at the cost of an inch less for the front. But even with the reduced room, at 6’4” I fit more than comfortably in the front without having to put the seat all the way back, and I could even fit in the rear seats with just a slight push forward from there.
Rear volume has jumped as well. In my tested hatchback it went from 15 to 17.4 cubic feet, helped by a suspension redesign that flattened the floor, but total volume with the seats down has dropped from 47.1 to 32.8.
The 2018 Rio has yet to be tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Added chassis rigidity should theoretically provide an improvement over the 2017, which was awarded a 4-star overall rating, as well as a matching score in nearly all tests. Of note was rear safety for the 2017, which earned the Rio its sole 5-star rating.
I’d also like to see an improvement over 2017’s 124-foot braking distance. Larger brakes and a stiffer chassis bode well for the Rio, but these upgrades could be mitigated by an extra 150 pounds in 2018.
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2018 Kia Rio5 Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 4
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 8.0 · Rear brakes: drum
Comfort Features
Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: urethane · Steering wheel trim: urethane
Convenience Features
Assist handle: passenger side · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: accessory hook · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.06
Engine
Alternator: 130 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: black · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: grey surround · Mirror color: black · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 5 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low oil level
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual folding · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 14.9 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Wheels
Wheel covers: full
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · USB auxiliary audio input · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 8.0 · Rear brakes: drum
Comfort Features
Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: urethane · Steering wheel trim: urethane
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: sunglasses holder · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.06
Engine
Alternator: 130 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 5 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 3.5 in. · Warnings and reminders: low oil level
Lights
Headlights: Halogen
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 14.9 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Wheels
Wheel covers: full
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Pandora internet radio · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.3 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Floor Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: passenger side · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.06
Engine
Alternator: 130 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: black · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: UVO · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 3.5 in. · Warnings and reminders: low battery
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 14.9 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.8
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app function: maintenance status
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: intermittent