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2017 Kia Rio

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OEM Interior Primary
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OEM Exterior
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Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2017 LX 4dr Sedan
most popular
Price:   -  From $14,165
2017 LX 4dr Hatchback Price:   -  From $15,495
2017 EX 4dr Sedan Price:   -  From $17,755
2017 EX 4dr Hatchback Price:   -  From $17,905
2017 SX 4dr Hatchback Price:   -  From $20,905

Overview

Kia’s smallest model is a great value and usually comes with incentives. Often overlooked because of its size, the Kia Rio supplies a roomy interior, excellent fuel economy, and an overall low cost of ownership. You also have a choice of sedan and five-door hatchback body styles.

What's New for 2017

Following a significant update in 2016, the 2017 Rio returns largely unchanged. New red and black color choices are available with the LX trim.

Kia Rio

Choosing Your Kia Rio

Kia offers the sedan in LX ($14,165) and EX ($17,755) trims. The hatchback is available in LX ($15,495), EX ($17,905), and SX ($20,905) trims.

All 2017 Rios are powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 138 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque. Base sedan models are equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. The EX sedan and all hatchback models come paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. This model makes an estimated 27 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.

Both models sit on a 101.2-inch wheelbase. However, the sedan measures 172 inches long overall to the hatchback’s 159.4 inches. The sedan has a 13.7 cubic foot trunk. The hatchback offers 15 cubic feet of standard storage space, expandable to 49.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

Kia Rio

LX

All LX models are equipped with 15-inch steel wheels, multi-reflector headlights, body-colored power heated side mirrors, and intermittent windshield wipers. Hatchback models add a rear spoiler.

Inside, the LX has a tilt steering column, a four-speaker audio system, satellite radio, USB ports, an auxiliary jack, two 12-volt outlets, a cargo light, cloth seats, a 60-40 split-folding rear seat, and air conditioning. Hill-start assist control is standard.

Kia Rio

EX

Move up a trim and the EX brings in front fog lights and alloy wheels. This model also comes with a tilt and telescopic steering column, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors, and dual map lights. Upgraded cloth seats, power windows, power door locks, cruise control, and Bluetooth connectivity.

Options available at this trim include an upgraded audio system, automatic headlamps, and seat stitching choices.

Kia Rio

SX

The SX trim is the sporty version of this subcompact and is available only on the hatchback.

This model comes with projection headlights, LED positioning lights, front fog lights, LED taillights, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Power-folding outside mirrors with turn-signal indicators and a power tilt and slide sunroof are also included.

Interior upgrades include push-button start, a UVO2 infotainment system, a rearview camera, upgraded instrumentation, metal pedals, leather seats, heated front seats, and navigation.

CarsDirect Tip

The Rio 5-Door SX is our choice for this small model as it offers such amenities uncommon to the segment, including heated side mirrors with turn signal indicators, leather seats, and sporty embellishments. Incentives should lower your final cost to $20,000.

Get your price on a Kia Rio »

Read our review on the Kia Rio »

Kia Rio
author image
Contributing Editor
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Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Automotive Editor

The 2017 Kia Rio uses a proven formula: take a solid – if unexciting – base, wrap it in attractive sheet metal, and focus on providing a few crowd-pleasing features at a low MSRP. The Rio is not quite a triumph of superficial style over deep substance, but this is the kind of vehicle whose appeal is quickly sensed and understood instead of being realized on the road or through long-term use.

Pricing and Equipment

The Kia Rio is a close relative of the Hyundai Accent; the two use the same structure and share most mechanical components. A 137-horsepower 1.6-liter inline-four motivates the front wheels. Most Rios will be equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission, although a six-speed manual is available if a buyer is willing to make some compromises. The EPA gives fuel economy estimates of 27 miles per gallon city, 36 highway, and 31 combined for a Rio with the automatic, while a Rio with the manual gearbox or a Rio EX with the optional Eco package scores similar 27 city, 36 highway, and 31 combined estimates.

The Rio is available as either a four-door sedan or a five-door hatchback. Either body style is available in base LX or midgrade EX trim levels – a relatively upscale SX level is also available on the hatch. The base model LX sedan starts at $15,050 (all prices listed here include an $895 delivery fee). The LX hatchback includes an automatic transmission – a $1,230 option on the sedan – in its $16,390 asking price. The LX is a rather basic set of wheels; air conditioning is standard but power locks and windows are reserved for an optional $800 package.

The EX offers a more competitive level of equipment, including those power locks and windows along with cruise control and a few convenience features – MSRP is $18,650 for the sedan and $18,800 for the hatchback. An efficiency-enhancing Eco package is available for the EX, as is a Designer package which includes interior trim upgrades. Both models feature a touchscreen-controlled infotainment system and a rearview camera.

The Rio SX hatchback aims to be something of a pocket luxury car. The SX's $21,800 sticker price includes a number of upscale features such as:

  • A seven-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, which now includes navigation.
  • Heated leather front seats.
  • 17-inch alloy wheels and a retuned suspension.
  • A sunroof.
  • Power-folding side mirrors.

Performance Pros

Kia Rio
  • The automatic transmission may not make for the most stimulating driveline on the market, but in around-town use it feels more natural and effective than the continuously-variable transmissions in some competitors.
  • Yes, those actually are rear disc brakes back there (even on the LX).

Performance Cons

  • Suspension tuning is always an exercise in compromise, but the Rio's standard setup is more compromised than usual. Handling is unstimulating and the ride on rough roads is less comfortable than most competitors.
  • The motor doesn't feel as vibrant as its 137-horsepower rating suggests. Selecting the manual transmission helps a bit but that choice is only available on the LX sedan – and only if one is willing to leave off power locks and windows.
  • The Rio doesn't provide much standard safety gear beyond the mandated minimums, and its crash test scores are similarly acceptable without being impressive.

Interior Pros

  • Kia's emphasis on styling applies to the interior as much as to the sheet metal. The basic design is appealing and a dash of trim adds panache without being excessive.
  • It's not just the looks - material quality is better than expected for an entry-level car.
  • The front seats are decently comfortable, with better-than-usual leg support for taller drivers.

Interior Cons

Kia Rio
  • Rear seat room is unimpressive for two and troublesome for three, and headroom across the row is especially meager.
  • It's 2017 – charging $800 for power windows and locks as optional equipment on the LX raises some eyebrows.

The Most Pleasant Surprise

Kia is serious about infotainment. The manufacturer's voice-operated UVO system includes Apple Play and Android Auto, a SiriusXM receiver is standard across the line, and the touchscreens in the EX and SX (especially the SX's seven-inch display) would not be out of place in cars costing significantly more.

The Least Pleasant Surprise

The base LXs don't include some features which are all but universally accepted as standard equipment on a modern car. Adding power assists for the windows and locks to the LX sedan also requires adding the automatic transmission - and will therefore add a full $2000 to that appealingly low-looking MSRP.

The Bottom Line

The Rio's appeal is more about the simple things - styling, price, a few nice features - than any serious conceptual or engineering ambitions. It may not drive as well or accommodate as much or as many as competitors like the Ford Fiesta or Honda Fit, but it does what an inexpensive entry-level car should do (depending on standard equipment and rear-headroom requirements) and it looks good in the process. Be advised that a revamped Rio is due for the 2018 model year.

Read Less

Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
1.6L I-4 / 138 HP / 123 ft.lbs.
Transmission
Standard: 6-spd man w/OD
Available: 6-spd sequential shift control auto w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
27 / 36 / 31 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
1.6L I-4 / 138 HP / 123 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
27 / 36 / 31 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Semi-independent Torsion Beam Beam
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
11.4 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$43
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
13.7 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
88 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
172.0 "
Exterior Width
67.7 "
Exterior Height
57.3 "
Front Headroom
40.0 "
Rear Headroom
37.6 "
Front Legroom
43.8 "
Rear Legroom
31.1 "
Front Shoulder Room
53.1 "
Rear Shoulder Room
52.1 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
2,494 Lbs. / 2,573 Lbs.
Wheel Base
101 "
Turning Radius
16.7 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
15.0 " Steel
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote Heated
Bumpers
Body-colored With Black Insert
Grille Moldings
Black
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
6-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
6-way
Rear Armrests
Rear Seats
60-40 Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Siriusxm Am/fm/satellite, Clock, Seek-scan / Clock
Speakers
4
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Driver
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
2
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Major Components Months
120 Months / 100,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / 100,000 Miles
Accessories Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles

Used 2017 Kia Rio for Sale

3 vehicles found within 100 miles of your area
Kia
LX
Color: Red
Price

$6,950

Mileage

109,000 mi

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California Motor Cars (32 mi)

Phone: (626) 966-3858
Kia
LX
Color: White
Price

$8,995

Mileage

64,099 mi

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Vision Hankook Motors, Inc. (26 mi)

Phone: (714) 534-5555
Kia
LX
Color: Silver
Price

$10,499

Mileage

55,896 mi

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Temecula Safi Motors (77 mi)

Phone: (951) 551-5324

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We have expanded the search to include other Kia Rio years that you might be interested in.

Kia
S
Color: Aurora Black
Price

$13,042

Mileage

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Redondo Mitsubishi (4 mi)

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