2012 Kia Rio

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Rating7.4

Ranked #2 in 

Subcompact Sedan
Write Review
$13,400 - $17,700
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Sleek styling inside-out

Noisy ride quality on the highway

The 2012 Kia Rio is completely redesigned

Excellent warranty coverage

Uses cheap Interior materials

Feels bigger than it looks

Specs & Features

$14,500

price

138 hp @ 6300 rpm

horsepower

123 lb.-ft. @ 4850 rpm

torque

6-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

1.6L 4cyl FWD 6A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2012 Kia Rio Sedan is a subcompact sedan offered in 5 trims, starting off at a base MSRP of $13,400. For that price, it mainly competes with the Ford Fiesta, the Hyundai Accent, and the Chevrolet Sonic Sedan. Between 3 trims, the Rio Sedan offers a couple of powertrains. The base engine is a 1.6L Inline-4 engine making 138 horsepower and 123 lb-ft of torque. However, there is a choice between a 6-speed automatic transmission and a 6-speed manual transmission. The Rio Sedan reaches 60 MPH from zero in 9.7 seconds on its base engine. Depending on the powertrain, the Rio Sedan can manage a combined fuel economy between 31 and 32 MPG. While we're on the topic of choices, the 9 striking colors the Rio Sedan comes in really pull you towards itself.

Buying Advice

The 2012 Kia Rio Sedan is a wonderful sedan with an MSRP of $13,400 but it only makes sense with the EX trim level that features upgrade features such as cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a center console with sliding armrest, and upgraded upholstery. There's also the EX Convenience package if you're looking for fog lights, automatic headlights, a rearview camera, power-folding outside mirrors with integrated turn signals.

Trims

    LX
    $13,400 onwards
    • 15-inch steel Wheels
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Front manual air conditioning
    • Heated mirrors
    • Seek-Scan Radio
    • Siriusxm AM/FM/Satellite
    EX
    $16,300 onwards
    • Premium cloth Seat trim
    • Remote keyless entry
    SX
    $17,500 onwards
    • 17-inch machined aluminum Wheels
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Parking assist

Compare to similar cars

Price

$15,345- $20,595

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.06

Horsepower

148 hp @ 6500 rpm

Torque

131 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$13,400- $17,700

Gasoline

7.42

138 hp @ 6300 rpm

123 lb.-ft. @ 4850 rpm

5

Read Review

$13,200- $17,500

Gasoline

7.78

120 hp @ 6350 rpm

112 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm

5

Read Review

$12,545- $16,895

Gasoline

7.56

138 hp @ 6300 rpm

123 lb.-ft. @ 4850 rpm

5

Read Review

$10,990- $18,590

Gasoline

6.96

109 hp @ 6000 rpm

107 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

5

Read Review

2012 Kia Rio vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    2012 Kia Rio

    Ranked #1

    8 sec16.5 sec-
    8 sec--
    8.1 sec--
    9.3 sec17.3 sec-
    9.6 sec17.2 sec117 mph

    2012 Kia Rio vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      2012 Kia Rio

      Ranked #2

      28 mpg37 mpg32 mpg11.4 gal.330.6/421.8 mi.
      29 mpg38 mpg33 mpg12 gal.348/456 mi.
      28 mpg37 mpg32 mpg11.4 gal.319.2/421.8 mi.
      28 mpg38 mpg32 mpg12.8 gal.358.4/486.4 mi.
      30 mpg36 mpg30 mpg10.8 gal.291.6/388.8 mi.

      2012 Kia Rio vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        2012 Kia Rio

        Ranked #6

        171.9 in.67.7 in.57.3 in.5.5 in.101.2 in.
        178.3 in.69.9 in.56.5 in.5.5 in.106.3 in.
        175.4 in.66.7 in.59.6 in.6.8 in.102.4 in.
        173.6 in.67.8 in.58 in.6 in.98 in.

        2012 Chevrolet Sonic

        Ranked #4

        173.1 in.68.3 in.59.7 in.4.9 in.99.4 in.
        172 in.66.9 in.57.1 in.5.5 in.101.2 in.

        2012 Kia Rio vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          2012 Kia Rio

          Ranked #1

          13.7 cu.ft.88.4 cu.ft.147.4 cu.ft.
          13.7 cu.ft.89.7 cu.ft.95.2 cu.ft.
          12.8 cu.ft.85.1 cu.ft.96.8 cu.ft.
          14.8 cu.ft.90.2 cu.ft.14.8 cu.ft.
          14.8 cu.ft.95.6 cu.ft.13.6 cu.ft.

          2012 Kia Rio vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            SourceCompare
            2012 Kia Rio

            Ranked #1

            147.4 cu.ft.13.7 cu.ft.147.4 cu.ft.
            95.2 cu.ft.13.7 cu.ft.95.2 cu.ft.
            13.6 cu.ft.14.8 cu.ft.13.6 cu.ft.
            18.6 cu.ft.14.8 cu.ft.14.8 cu.ft.
            83.1 cu.ft.12.8 cu.ft.96.8 cu.ft.

            2012 Kia Rio vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              2012 Kia Rio

              Ranked #1

              -2403 lbs.
              -2578 lbs.
              1063 lbs.2396 lbs.
              1091 lbs.2661 lbs.
              860 lbs.2345 lbs.

              Top Kia Cars

              2012 Kia Sedona

              Horsepower : 271 hp @ 6300 rpm

              MPG Combined : 21 mpg

              0-60 : 7.6 sec

              #1

              2012 Kia Optima Hybrid Sedan

              Horsepower : 206 hp

              MPG Combined : 36 mpg

              0-60 : 8.7 sec

              #2

              2012 Kia Optima

              Horsepower : 200 hp @ 6300 rpm

              MPG Combined : 28 mpg

              0-60 : 7.2 sec

              #3

              2012 Kia Sportage

              Horsepower : 176 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 23 mpg

              0-60 : 8.8 sec

              #4

              2012 Kia Sorento

              Horsepower : 175 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 22 mpg

              0-60 : 9.1 sec

              #5

              2012 Kia Forte

              Horsepower : 156 hp @ 6200 rpm

              MPG Combined : 29 mpg

              0-60 : 8.1 sec

              #6

              2012 Kia Rio

              Horsepower : 138 hp @ 6300 rpm

              MPG Combined : 32 mpg

              0-60 : 8 sec

              #7

              2012 Kia Soul

              Horsepower : 138 hp @ 6300 rpm

              MPG Combined : 27 mpg

              0-60 : 8.6 sec

              #8