2018 Kia Rio Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Write a review$13,900 to $18,400
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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.
User reviews for 2018 Kia Rio
Write a review2018 Kia Rio Pricing
Trims & specs
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 · 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: rear · 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: front seatback · 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 · 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 battery
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off
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: reclining · 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 · Auxiliary audio input: jack · 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: door pockets · 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: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · 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: rear · 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: cruise controls · Storage: sunglasses holder · 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: UVO · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · 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
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 · Power windows: with safety reverse
