2019 Kia Rio

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Rating6.0

Ranked #2 in 

Subcompact Sedan
Write Review
$15,390 - $16,490
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 2, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Nimble handling and sharp steering gives spirited driving experience

Subpar cargo area

Features list has been revised for LX and S trim

Superb build quality

Telescopic steering wheel is not available

Discontinuation of top level EX trim

First class warranty period

Specs & Features

$15,390

price

130 hp @ 6300 rpm

horsepower

119 lb.-ft. @ 4850 rpm

torque

6-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

1.6L 4cyl FWD 6A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2019 Kia Rio Sedan makes for an excellent contender in the subcompact sedan class. With two trims on offer, the Kia Rio has a base MSRP of $15,390, with prices going all the way up to MSRP $16,190, competing directly with the Hyundai Accent, the Chevrolet Sonic, and the Toyota Yaris. Only a 1.6L Inline 4 engine is offered, mated to a 6-speed automatic. Together, they produce 130 horsepower and 119 lb-ft of torque. Accelerating from 0-60 in 8.5 seconds, the Rio maintains a combined fuel economy of 32 MPG. Kia offers the Rio in 6 stunning colors, with the Azurite blue pearl being a particular favorite of ours.

Buying Advice

Just at the right price, the Kia Rio offers great value in its class. Among the two trims, the base trim is ideal for budget buyers but if you want more comfort in your compact sedan, the S trim is indeed the right choice. Some features that you’d get only in the S trim are remote keyless entry with a trunk opener, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a 7-inch touchscreen display, a six-speaker stereo, an additional USB port, cruise control, a 60/40-split folding rear seats with adjustable headrests and, a center console with a sliding armrest.

Trims

    LX
    $15,390 onwards
    • Engine: 1.6L 4cyl FWD 6A
    • Horsepower: 130 hp @ 6300 rpm hp
    • Torque: 119 lb.-ft. @ 4850 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 9.8 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 32 mpg
    S
    $16,190 onwards
    • Engine: 1.6L 4cyl FWD 6A
    • Horsepower: 130 hp @ 6300 rpm hp
    • Torque: 119 lb.-ft. @ 4850 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 9.8 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 32 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$15,390- $16,490

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

6.04

Horsepower

130 hp @ 6300 rpm

Torque

119 lb.-ft. @ 4850 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$14,260- $21,340

Gasoline

5.92

120 hp @ 6350 rpm

112 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm

5

Read Review

$21,895- $28,170

Gasoline

6.23

152 hp @ 6000 rpm

145 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$32,365- $54,165

Gasoline

6.24

290 hp @ 6500 rpm

255 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

7

Read Review

$14,995- $19,080

Gasoline

5.96

130 hp @ 6300 rpm

119 lb.-ft. @ 4850 rpm

5

Read Review

$17,200- $23,700

Gasoline

6.13

147 hp @ 6200 rpm

132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$12,460- $14,600

Gasoline

6.14

109 hp @ 6000 rpm

107 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

5

Read Review

$55,250- $63,650

Gasoline

8.47

385 hp @ 6100 rpm

384 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm

5

Read Review

$40,250- $45,000

Gasoline

7.6

255 hp @ 5000 rpm

295 lb.-ft. @ 1550 rpm

5

Read Review

2019 Kia Rio vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    2019 Kia Rio

    Ranked #8

    9.8 sec17.2 sec-
    4.23 sec12.6 sec160 mph
    5.6 sec14.1 sec130 mph
    6.2 sec14.8 sec134 mph
    7 sec15.6 sec130 mph
    8.8 sec--

    2019 Kia Rio vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      2019 Kia Rio

      Ranked #1

      28 mpg37 mpg32 mpg11.9 gal.333.2/440.3 mi.
      28 mpg37 mpg31 mpg11.9 gal.333.2/440.3 mi.
      27 mpg36 mpg30 mpg10.8 gal.291.6/388.8 mi.
      26 mpg36 mpg30 mpg15.6 gal.405.6/561.6 mi.
      27 mpg35 mpg30 mpg12.4 gal.334.8/434 mi.
      28 mpg36 mpg29 mpg14 gal.364/504 mi.

      2019 Kia Rio vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        2019 Kia Rio

        Ranked #9

        172.6 in.67.9 in.57.1 in.5.5 in.101.6 in.
        198.3 in.78.9 in.70 in.7.8 in.112.8 in.
        185.7 in.71.9 in.56.8 in.5.7 in.112.2 in.
        185 in.71.3 in.56.3 in.3.5 in.111.8 in.
        181.9 in.70.9 in.56.5 in.5.3 in.106.3 in.
        175.8 in.71 in.63.6 in.8.7 in.104.9 in.

        2019 Kia Rio vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          2019 Kia Rio

          Ranked #2

          13.7 cu.ft.89.9 cu.ft.87.6 cu.ft.
          6.9 cu.ft.76.5 cu.ft.147 cu.ft.
          12.8 cu.ft.85.1 cu.ft.336.1 cu.ft.
          21 cu.ft.151.7 cu.ft.81.7 cu.ft.
          13 cu.ft.130.5 cu.ft.72.2 cu.ft.
          20.8 cu.ft.100.9 cu.ft.55.3 cu.ft.

          2019 Kia Rio vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            2019 Kia Rio

            Ranked #1

            87.6 cu.ft.13.7 cu.ft.87.6 cu.ft.-
            -14.4 cu.ft.-75 ft.
            55.3 cu.ft.20.8 cu.ft.55.3 cu.ft.-
            -12.6 cu.ft.--
            83.1 cu.ft.12.8 cu.ft.336.1 cu.ft.-
            72.2 cu.ft.13 cu.ft.72.2 cu.ft.76 ft.

            2019 Kia Rio vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              2019 Kia Rio

              Ranked #3

              --2714 lbs.
              5000 lbs.1717 lbs.4443 lbs.
              1500 lbs.1186 lbs.3113 lbs.
              -937 lbs.2502 lbs.
              --2571 lbs.
              -994 lbs.2395 lbs.

              2019 Kia Rio Sedan Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              1

              Recalls

              0

              Investigations

              16

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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              2019 Kia Rio User Reviews

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              POPULAR TAGS

              AP

              Aaron Patton

              2020 Kia Rio

              LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl CVT)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: June 10, 2024

              A Good Little Car!

              Pros - ["- Excellent gas mileage", "- very nice interior"]

              Cons - ["- looks a little TOO boxy", "- should come with a CD player"]

              I love how this car is great on gas! Also, the interior is very nice and I love the display screen and the Bluetooth capabilities. I also love the back up camera. I do wish it came with a CD player though.

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review