With so many cars becoming more expensive and more bloated, the 2022 Kia Rio is a breath of fresh air. It has a useful, simple layout, provides a decent number of standard features, and is one of the most affordable cars on the market today. The Rio has been around since the mid-2000s and entered its third generation for the 2018 model year. It carries over into the 2022 model year largely unchanged.

The Rio is available as a sedan and as a hatchback called the Rio5, which is covered in a separate review. The sedan provides 13.7 cubic feet of trunk space and is available in two trims, the LX and the S. The LX comes equipped with steel wheels with plastic covers, heated side mirrors, a 3.5-inch driver information display, cloth upholstery, a six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, a six-speaker stereo, and a single USB port. It also comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Moving up to the S trim adds remote keyless entry, a rear-seat USB port, cruise control, and a 60/40 split-fold rear bench. The S trim also adds the ability to select the Technology Package, which includes satellite radio, automatic climate control, and a number of driver assistance features.

The Rio is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. It makes 120 horsepower and 112 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission. The Kia Rio has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 33 mpg city, 41 highway, and 36 combined.

Standard features are pretty basic and include a backup camera and an assortment of airbags. The Technology Package adds automatic emergency braking, driver drowsiness monitoring, forward-collision warning, and automatic high beams.

Base MSRP for the 2022 Kia Rio is $16,150 for the LX trim. The S trim starts at $16,790, and selecting the Technology Package adds $1,800 to that. The Kia Rio is backed by a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.