2012 Kia Rio5 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Write a review

$13,600 to $17,700

Original MSRP

--

expert review

--

avg user rating

(0 reviews)

2012 Kia Rio5 Preview summaryImage

Hoping to make a success of the Rio brand, Kia relaunches the Rio5 for the 2012 model year. This sporty hatchback sibling to the 4-door Rio coupe, not seen since the 2009 model year, comes equipped with a fuel-sipping engine and styling accents not normally associated with economy cars.

The 2012 Kia Rio5 is available in three trims—the LX, EX and SX—all featuring a 1.6-liter 16-valve inline-4 DOHC engine. The LX mates it to a 6-speed manual transmission, while the EX and SX trims pair it with a 6-speed automatic transmission, which is optional in the LX as well. The engine's rated at 138 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque and can cover 0 to 60 mph in just under 10 seconds—a decent time for a subcompact. The front-wheel-drive Rio5 is estimated by the EPA to achieve 30 mpg city/40 highway.

As part of the 2012 Kia Rio5’s commitment to fuel economy, the subcompact hatchback is equipped with Kia’s Idle Stop & Go (ISG) technology, which automatically switches the engine off when it is at a stop or moving very slowly, such as in stop-and-go traffic, firing the engine up again when needed. The ISG system reportedly saves as much as 15 percent in fuel consumption with the right settings.

Numerous standard features can be found in the base LX trim of the 2012 Kia Rio5, including air conditioning, a tilt steering wheel, power heated exterior mirrors, a 4-speaker sound system with AM/FM radio and CD player, and 15-inch steel wheels. Buyers selecting the upgraded EX trim will get a chrome front grille, cruise control, tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, upgraded sound system, power door locks and keyless entry. The SX has a sport-tuned suspension, dual exhaust tips, LED front accent lights and rear taillights, and 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels. Available options, depending on trim level, include 15-inch aluminum alloy wheels, fog lights, a rear-view camera, leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather seats, heated front seats, a navigation system and a power sunroof.

Full-length side curtain and dual front-seat mounted airbags are just part of the standard safety equipment available in the 2012 Kia Rio5. Side impact door beams, a 4-wheel disc antilock braking system with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution, tire pressure monitoring system and stability and traction control are all available at no additional cost.

The 2012 Kio Rio5 has been called economical and fun to drive by current owners. The versatility the hatchback allows also receives high marks. Many owners remark that the interior styling touches seem like they would be found in a car costing much more than the Rio5 does. Owners also like the power the 4-cylinder engine provides, giving the Rio5 good handling for such a small car.

The 2012 Kio Rio5 enters a competitive market for economical hatchbacks, featuring such competition as the Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, Mazda2, Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris. With its peppy engine, above-average interior styling points and inexpensive upgrades, the Rio5 should carve a nice niche in the market for itself.

CarGurus Editorial Team
Published May 31, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
While we highlight specific author bylines where possible, sometimes our content results from the combined efforts of several members of the CarGurus editorial team. As with all our editorial content, you can expect high levels of automotive insight and expertise delivered in a style that is approachable and free from jargon.

User reviews for 2012 Kia Rio5

Write a review
There are no reviews on this car.Write a review

2012 Kia Rio5 Pricing

Original MSRP
$13,600 to $17,700
Price range
N/A
Average price on CG
N/A
YoY price change
N/A

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 · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 4

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 10.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.3 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Floor Mat Material: carpet

Convenience Features

Cargo area: floor luggage box · Cupholders: rear · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 6

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front

Seatbelts

Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth

Steering

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

Tires and Rims

Wheels: steel

Wheels

Wheel covers: full

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Rear wiper: with washer

Air Conditioning

Single front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: mast · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 4

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 10.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.3 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Floor Mat Material: carpet

Convenience Features

Cargo area: floor luggage box · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 6

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front

Seatbelts

Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium cloth

Steering

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

Telematics

Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires and Rims

Wheels: steel

Wheels

Wheel covers: full

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · 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 · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · 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: 10.3 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Floor Mat Material: carpet · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Cargo area: floor luggage box · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 6

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment: UVO · Infotainment screen size: 4.2 in.

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Headlights: LED · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power folding

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Safety

Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium cloth

Steering

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

Telematics

Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Rear wiper: with washer

See all trims (3)