2018 Kia Rio Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$13,900 to $18,400

Original MSRP

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expert review

5.0

avg user rating

(1 review)
2018 Kia Rio Preview summaryImage

The Kia Rio is all-new for 2018 with a sportier design, a more comfortable and spacious interior, and upscale technologies to keep you connected on the road. With even more standard safety features, Kia is also shooting for an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick designation and 5 stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Changes to the 2018 Rio start with a revised exterior design. It sports the latest version of Kia’s grille, new headlights, and a new placement for the fog lamps. The body is longer, lower, and wider than that of the previous-generation Rio, which both enhances its looks and increases cabin space for passengers.

The inside of the Rio has been redesigned as well and features a more ergonomic layout and better materials. There’s extra headroom, legroom, and shoulder room up front, while backseat passengers have more space for their legs and shoulders. Cargo room is also ample at 13.7 cubic feet, and those who need more storage capacity should consider the hatchback version of the Rio—the Rio5. The Rio5 provides 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space, which expands to 32.8 cubic feet with the seats folded.

Power for the Rio comes from a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine good for 130 hp and 119 lb-ft of torque paired with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. This is a carryover engine, but it brings improved fuel efficiency and better responsiveness. A revised spring and damper setup and a reduction in body weight help provide an overall smoother and more confident ride.

The Rio offers the choice of three different trims, starting with the base LX, which is the only trim available with a manual transmission. It features cloth upholstery, a 6-way-adjustable driver’s seat, air conditioning, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, 4 speakers, and a 5-inch infotainment display with AM/FM/CD/MP3 and satellite radio. Bluetooth is available as an add-on and comes standard on the higher trims.

The middle Rio S trim adds such cosmetic accents and amenities as body-color door handles and matching power-adjustable heated outside mirrors, a sunglass holder with map lights, and remote keyless entry with a trunk release. The rear seats on the Rio S split-fold 60/40 for more flexibility with cargo, and the infotainment system gains a reversing camera and an additional USB charger.

At the top of the lineup for this subcompact is the Rio EX. This trim gets fog lights, a black and chrome grille, and a black and body-color bumper. The interior boasts a tilt-and-telescopic steering column, illuminated vanity mirrors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob, and upgraded Tricot cloth seats. A red leather accent package and a padded front door armrest are available additions. The EX’s standard technology also receives a significant upgrade for 2018, with a larger 7-inch display, the latest UVO3 infotainment system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for easy smartphone integration. This connectivity comes standard on the EX but is not available at all on the lower trims.

The all-new 2018 Rio promises to deliver a safer and more comfortable ride than that of its predecessor. Standard safety features include multiple airbags, anti-lock brakes, vehicle stability management, tire-pressure monitoring, and hill-start assist, and the top EX trim adds autonomous emergency braking to the list.

Pricing for the 2018 Rio has not yet been announced, but it’s expected to maintain the Rio’s reputation as an affordable subcompact.

Published May 31, 2022 by Nicole Wakelin

User reviews for 2018 Kia Rio

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User rating:
by Melissa C
Jan 05, 2021
Great features for the money. A lot more roomy on the interior than it seems.Jan 05, 2021

2018 Kia Rio Pricing

Original MSRP
$13,900 to $18,400
Price range
$9,300 to $10,072
Average price on CG
$9,742
YoY price change
$10,033 to $9,742

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 · 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: rear · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: cargo net · Vanity mirrors: dual

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 6

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 4.06

Engine

Alternator: 130 amps · Battery: maintenance-free

Exterior Features

Door handle color: black · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: black · Rear bumper color: body-color · 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: range · Warnings and reminders: low battery

Lights

Headlights: Halogen

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night

Passenger Seat

Manual Adjustments: 4

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Safety

Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front

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 · 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

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: diversity · USB auxiliary audio input · Touch screen display 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: passenger side · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · 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 · 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

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: 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

Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · 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 · Power windows: with safety reverse

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 · Pandora internet radio · HD 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: 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 and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · 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 · Window trim: black

Headrests

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

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment: Apply CarPlay ready · 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: heated · 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: reclining · 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 · Power windows: with safety reverse

See all trims (3)