2021 Kia Rio5 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Hatchbacks are a dying breed in the United States, as evidenced by the fact that there are just a few new-car options available today. Kia isn’t one to be dissuaded by the evidence, however, and has updated its Rio5 for the 2021 model year with desirable new features.
Like its four-door sedan counterpart, the Rio five-door hatch was refreshed with new front-end styling, which includes a new bumper and grille for a sportier look. Also updated is the infotainment system, which now gets a standard 8-inch touchscreen that runs wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Rio5 is powered by a 1.6-liter inline-four that makes 120 horsepower and 112 pound-feet of torque—just like the sedan. It’s paired with a continuously variable transmission (CTV) and front-wheel drive (FWD). That powertrain is good for EPA-estimated fuel economy of 33/41/36 mpg city/highway/combined.
Inside, every Rio five-door gets tricot and woven cloth upholstery, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, and a 60/40 folding rear seat.
The technology on offer in the Rio5 is robust, especially considering its budget positioning. Beyond the new touchscreen and smartphone interfaces, the car gets six speakers with front tweeters, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth, voice controls, USB ports for input and charging, a 12-volt outlet, and more.
The Rio hatchback can be upgraded with several advanced safety features, but none come standard. Forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, lane-follow assist, lane-departure warnings, and a driver attention warning system are available. Those features are part of the S Technology Package, which also brings LED headlights and positioning lights, automatic climate controls, rear-occupant alerts, allow wheels, and a smart key system with push-button start.
The 2021 Kia Rio5 is on sale now with a starting price of $17,955—which includes a $995 destination charge. The Technology Package adds $1,800 to the bottom line.
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2021 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 · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · AM/FM radio · 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: passenger side · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): USB rear · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 2.68
Engine
Alternator: 130 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · 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 · Rocker panel color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google POIs · Infotainment screen size: 8 in. · Smartphone integration: wireless Apple CarPlay
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 3.5 in. · Warnings and reminders: low battery
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated · 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: front · 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: 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: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: semi-independent · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: Turn-by-Turn Navigation
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: intermittent · Solar-tinted glass: rear