Thank you for going out of your way to review this car! In reality this is all the car that 90% of us need. Refreshing in a time when the average car transaction price is close to $50k 🤯
Keep in mind though that carmakers don’t want to make cheap small new cars because the profit margins are too thin. They would much rather make huge 50k suvs and trucks because of the fat profit margins. Sad.
@@sachinnair91 It's doable though, they just have to be able to produce and sell at volume. And if they are able to accomplish this, they can make a ton of money, maybe even more than doing it the other way around, but from what I've heard it is harder. American OEMs should be afraid though, because if Americans don't want to do it the Chinese will, at least for EVs specifically speaking. The Chinese have 10 years of development over every American company other than Tesla, so legacy OEMs should be really concerned now if they weren't already.
My 2021 KIA Rio, cheapest one they make is the best car I have ever had. I really can't believe it. It is the perfect city car and does vwery well on the hiway. It is so easy to drive that it does not tire you out on a longer drive or slogging around city streets. The A C is great and that is the first and most important thing about this car. Its power to weight ratio is very good and this car performs way better than you have been led to believe it would. Even the drum brakes are very smooth. Would definitly buy again.
After watching your review on the 2018 Accent, I purchased a brand new 2019 Accent SE with stick shift for $13,995 out the door. Adjusted for inflation, this is the most inexpensive car I ever purchased. I think it is the best car I ever owned if the engine holds out as some Hyundai/Kia had failures with their GDI engines. I have gotten 45,000 miles so far with no issues and the gas mileage is excellent. I can get 45-55 mpg on long highway trips. The handling is fun and I consider the interior to be roomy. Previous cars were 01 Miata, 93 Impreza, 83 Accord, 80 900 Turbo, 73 Pinto.
True but entry level cars were also half the price back then. I wish there was a super cheap simple bare bones small new car that can be bought in the USA for 10-12k but unfortunately even a new Mirage or Rio or Versa will end costing you 20k or more.
@@sachinnair91 basic safety equipment and govn't mandates make that nearly impossible! Cars that cheap do exist in other markets because they don't have to pass the same safety regulations thus driving a death machine
I'd much rather see how a Kia Rio 5-door holds up over time with the actual tech package. Seems like the most practical combination of usability, cargo, and still have the ability to use adaptive cruise, etc. This is basically what folks would have been buying with any normal hatchback in the 1990s, plus you get adaptive cruise, wireless nav, backup cameras, and LED lighting...
@@invektra Would love someone who actually has one to confirm, but the "Lane Following Assist" is described as follows: "When Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go is activated, Lane Following Assist monitors lane markings to keep the Rio centered in its lane."
@@andspenrob Yeah, adaptive cruise + lane following. It's like a base model "Autopilot" - works decently as long as you keep your hand on the wheel and don't expect it to take tight turns at highway speed.
In the U.S, it doesn't. I just traded in a top-of-the-line '23 Rio S Hatchback Tech. Definitely alot for what it is & is great honestly, but it does not have adaptive cruise, just regular cruise control.
it's only a pity that the hatchback versions are either more expensive or disappear in favor of small SUVs that will always eat more gasoline than their car equivalent.
@@boygonewhoopdataZZ our roads are flooded with millions of illegal immigrants who do not know how to drive , a Kia Rio is very dangerous since most illegals drive Yukons, Tahoes, and Escalades.
He's an interesting twist Alex. I just looked for a Rio five door in my area and they're all marked up by the dealer for at least $2,000 more than MSRP. 🤦♂️ No wonder people are going for other cars. I really miss affordable small cars.
I've considered getting the hatch version of one of these. I can afford things far far fancier, but I'm getting tired of cars just being massively complicated computers on wheels and costing a dozen kidneys because reasons, and I'm a tech person. It's cheap with a nice long warranty and can probably get like 45+ mpg with good driving habits. Could throw some better tires on there for very little. I hope they keep this little vehicle around. It's tough to beat.
Yes! Car manufacturers won't start shifting their production down-market until people like you who can afford to pay the exorbitant prices they're charging for higher-end cars take a stand and start buying cheaper cars anyway.
@@rylans.5365 The US Air Force is running Kubernetes on F-16s these days, and I'm not joking. There's a lot of technological "evolution" these days that definitely does not make things simpler or easier
I love reviews of budget cars! Alex, more of this, please. The Rio design was good in a VW kind of way when it first came out in 2018, but it looks so bland now. What's odd is that manufacturers usually do a facelift and offer different paint colors, fabrics, and features to try to keep an older model fresh and relevant. Kia did the complete opposite with the Rio. They've been stripping out content over the years. It's only available in one trim now. The "S". Gone are the leather upholstery and fog lights options. The gray upholstery is only available with gray or black paint. How bland! They changed out the sporty-looking alloy wheels they used to offer for ugly new alloy wheels. What's interesting is that in other countries, they still offer the Rio with the older, better-looking wheel style, and they offer it with many more options. A choice of engines. Better paint colors. More features. The USA gets the short stick for some reason. It makes me think they're trying to kill off the Rio in the U.S. to lure buyers into more expensive CUVs. I have a feeling the Rio will be discontinued soon. It's hard to even buy one because dealers have so few on their lots. Some dealers are marking them up thousands over MSRP too.
Awesome review as always Alex, I have not driven a newer Kia Rio, but I did have a Nissan Versa for a few weeks and it was a great little car I was averaging 36 miles per gallon and I was not easy on it, it was comfortable, Android auto Apple carplay work flawlessly, not too loud on the road. I was really impressed. I have also rented a Kia Forte and it was a 2020 base version and I was amazed. Excellent gas mileage, awesome Lane keeping assist, very comfortable, you get a lot for your money.
Such a refreshing review to watch. Reminded me of what originally drew me to AOA - enthusiasm for pragmatism, thorough value proposition analysis and detailed comparisons and insights. Would absolutely LOVE to see an entry in this segment bought long-term for the channel. As a save the manuals kinda guy, I vote for a 5-speed Versa, but would love to see any of them to be honest.
I always drove tiny cheap and cheerful cars back when AC and power anything was reserved for more expensive models. The Last one I had was a 2001 Hyundai Accent (it had AC, a 5sp manual, and power steering) which I will always remember my late father's snide comments on having to manually lock the doors and roll up the windows. My guess would be the Rio with power everything and modern infotainment may not feel as low end as the basic cars of years ago.
@@jkeelsnc most people are, and as someone who's riding on the tail end of a beautiful 2000 ford ranger, I kinda agree. I've never had a problem with my locks breaking, but the inconvenience of both sides being manual locks is frustrating on its own, crank windows I'm much less annoyed with. Never had a single issue with powered windows in 20+ years of my family owning 3 cars (not including my ranger), so it feels like a rare issue to have. All of that being said, we're looking at cars. If you own anything more expensive than $24,000, you're probably buying it for aesthetic or convenience items, who cares if someone prefers power windows and locks when others are paying $75+ for car logo cup holder trash cans lmao.
My mom bought a Rio in 2014. We took very good care of it, very reliable car. Till this day it drives like a dream, very quiet. I definitely recommend this car to anyone!
I have the exact same car, you can get around 48 to 50 miles per gallon if you allow the car to “glide” in the highway. Fuel efficiency is insane with this baby, it puts a smile on my face at the gas station everytime I see some guy pays $80-$110 filling their behemoth pickup truck while my max bill is only $20-$25 on average.
Thank you for the all the work you've done! I appreciate that you rented this car so you can tell us about everything and now we know exactly how to approach this car and what to expect about it, with that being said I am not buying any car for perhaps maybe the next 10 years 😂😂
Truly sad Honda doesn’t make the Fit anymore. I just can’t see how buying such a cheap Kia, Nissan or Mitsubishi would be a good choice for something that’s reliable, which is important when you’re on a tight budget.
I seriously considered a Fit last time I bought a car. Great little car but the end of the model discount on the smiley face Mazda 3 made it almost the same price as the Fit. Unfortunately the market has spoken and it's SUV everything now. Want a Fit? Too bad. Buy an HRV. It's like the Fit but the in SUV form!
@@keithck3720 The Mazda is a great choice. I like Hondas but I don’t care for the HRV. My family has least every Honda model and the HRV was by far the biggest piece of junk. Granted it was the last generation, it was a let down for sure.
@@atmartens I've been very happy with the Mazda. No regrets there. I really did like the incredible utility of the Fit. I have a soft spot for Honda as my previous car was a 99 Civic and the Fit really reminded of it. I haven't tried the new Civic but it'd high on my list if I were shopping for a new car.
@@atmartens For sure, you can never go wrong with a Civic. It's still one of Honda's best sellers and they still put a lot of effort and money into it. One of few manufacturers holding the line on making good cars.
Funny how AlexonAutos always pumps Kia and Hyundai cars but doesn’t talk about how their cars are being price gouged by dealership with average +$5,500 dollars and up above msrp. Hidden cost that people are not required to pay but fooled by dealerships and TH-cam car reviewers.
Alex, sales of small cheap new cars are low because carmakers are purposely producing less of them. Carmakers put the blame on lack of demand but the truth is, they don’t want to make small cheap new cars. Profit margins are too thin on them. Carmakers would much rather make huge SUV’s and trucks with fat profit margins baked in.
I have a Nissan Versa 2018 stick shift , five years today, 4th of July, and 42.000 miles, and i am very happy with the car. Oil changes every 5000 miles and some fuel injection cleaner for every thousand miles. The car computer shows 38.8 por gal. local driving and fwy, in 5.700 altitude.
I would love for you guys to do both the rio and versa for long term reviews ( i mean considering that would be the cost roughy of the average price of most cars today) so we can see if they really hold up over time
I’m not surprised at the lack of market - someone convinced half the U.S. that there’s something wrong with a man if he doesn’t own a full-size pickup and something wrong with a woman if she doesn’t have a crossover.
There’s a lot to be said for inexpensive cars. I bought a 2021 Kia Soul for over 4k off MSRP just before pandemic pricing hit. Certainly the best value I’ve ever had in a car. I actually considered the Rio and Venue, but at that time I thought the Soul performed a bit better, was larger and more capable, and a better value. 48k miles so far!
I bought a slightly used 2023 Rio with the push button start. According to my local dealer, the push button start eliminates the much publicized theft risk.
I would love if you make more reviews like this. I am leaning to buy Trax, your review about it helped me a lot. Adaptive Cruise Control pays for itself on HWY, I think it is must have. Also, it has more interior space for family. I wish there were more options out there. I would love to see your review of Versa.
The Rio hasn't had a redesign in years. They used to have an EX trim and it did have a telescoping steering wheel. When they cancelled that trim a few years back they took that away and I don't know why. The Hyundai Accent always had a telescoping steering wheel.
I can't fathom why, but Kia has been cheapening the Rio since introducing this generation in 2018. They only have try S trim now. They got rid of the nice multi spoke alloy wheels, leather upholstery, fog lights, and tilt wheel. So bizarre. Also, the color choices are lousy.
My 2019 Accent SE did not have a telescoping steering wheel. Only higher level trims did, but you can't get those in manual, which was more important to me.
Love the review, and love cars like the Rio. I have a prev. gen Rio that my wife and I daily and use as a backup, and it's been serving us faithfully and saving us thousands of dollars over the last 5 years. Would be nice to have a long term tester on this channel, I would certainly watch the videos.
My first new car was a 2001 Hyundai Accent GS 3-door hatch with manual transmission and hatch spoiler :) I paid about $12k for it and got about 36 mpg. Total piece of junk but I loved it! This Kia thing strikes me as way more car for today's dollars, especially with that mpg and super long warranty.
Yes please please review more cheap cars. i have family that cant afford much and i send them your videos when u do them so they know those lower price vehicles are out there and at least have some hope they can get into one.
This reminds me of how many features are now standard on cars compared to a few years ago. I bought a Mazda3 HB AWD and it’s only one step up from the base. Auto cruise control, power everything, the electronic nannies, apple car play, 18” alloys… and it was under $26k MSRP when I got it in 2021. It has been a great car so far and does everything I need. The examples they send to most car reviewers are a full $10-12k more with turbos and more options I don’t miss. More tests of base models would be great to see!
The good thing about basic old cruise control is that it still works in harsh weather. For whatever reason, brand new high end Kias have adaptive cruise control that will literally just stop working if the sensors are obstructed by snow or even water. I feel like they should have built in a fallback cruise control system. Technically, that's as simple as a software update for some vehicles.
You shouldn't use cruise during hard rain. If you hydroplane, the motor can rev and when it regains traction, you could crash and die. :( Anyone with "dragon" in their screen name deserves to live. :)
@@lefttea Yes, I know that. I drive for a living. I'm perfectly capable of driving in rain with cruise on. Unlike a lot of people, I'm actually focused on the road so I can see when there are hydroplaning puddles coming up. They're not even that hard to spot. Plus, I have saved myself from spinouts before, and that was snow and ice. What I say, is practice drifting. It comes in so handy in an emergency.
The 'Car Care Nut' sometimes do evaluations of the underside of a brand other than Toyota and the result indicates that Hyundai does not shine much there, so it sucks for Kia.
Alex: your reviews are the best, and I admire your ability to cover all makes and price ranges with fairness. I really appreciate your flexibility to get a rental for this one. It's sad that mfrs are moving away from "cheap and cheerful" cars, but as you say, it's because consumers don't seem to want them anymore. If you get a Rio or Versa, I think that would be great. Keep us informed!
They are great car! Mine is 9 years old manual hatch and i love it! I should buy a new one since they are going away but mine is still a solid, fun base car. The comparo with the corolla is on point, i saw a hatch corolla and a hatch rio side by side and they were almost the same dimension! The only downside is the rust that is starting, but i live in Québec so...I really wish kia would keep them on sale, they are the last of a kind...and i would buy another one!
thank you so much for actually comparing the car to cars of it's value/category instead of like most youtubers where they compare this to some porsche with 12 speed duel clutch automatics I'll never be able to afford. Thank you so much.
Also note that the sub compacts usually have more ground clearance and higher seating which makes them great as commuters in Easter cities like Philly, Baltimore, Newark, Hartford, etc.
I'm not sure where you came up with that, sub compacts are literally the smallest category of vehicles sold (legth/width), and no, they don't have more ground clearance for being the smallest, if anything they have less. The category that has more ground clearance are SUVs and Trucks tend to have more ground clearance than Sedans.
The problem is how much more car you can get if you are willing to buy a 5 year old used car. For the same price you can get something really nice instead of the bottom of the bottom, just to say you bought a new car.
Love these affordable card reviews. The older 2011-2017 Rios actually had a GDI with a bit more power (138hp) and was a bit faster (0-60 in 7.5 for the manual and 8.5 in the 6-speed auto). That said, the mileage was originally overstated (at 33/43 for the automatic and a bit better for the manual) but was later corrected to 29/37 for the manual and 28/36 for the auto.
Excellent info, lots of details, and nice graphics. This is classic Alex! I love the budget series idea, with the Versa, Rio, and other low cost performers being tested for extensive daily use by AA team. The Versa is especially a very appealing choice. Manufacturers should be incentivized to build stuff like this instead of useless EVs we can't afford.
I'm very, VERY glad Kia is still offering the Rio, especially in hatchback form. So many subcompact vehicles have been replaced by more expensive crossover-like vehicles or pulled from the US market entirely (I wish I could buy a Honda Fit new in the US)! Cars need not and should not cost a fortune and this is a superb example.
I’m very impressed with the Rio. Love the physical controls inside. Everything you need in a car honestly. Would love to see AOA get a cheap car long term like the Rio or Versa
In 2021 I got the LX Premium hatchback (Canadian version) and I absolutely love it. It has heated steering wheel, sideview mirrors and front seats, LED daytime running lights, blind-spot collision sensor, alloy wheels, sunroof and a bunch of other cool things for an afforable and compact car.
I have a 22 Kia Stonic SUV in the Philippines, ( a 1.4 L non turbo 6 speed regular trans. ) , Now a China XK1. Basically a Rio SUV. Not imported to the US, Nice style ! Check it out.
My first car was a 9k CAD brand new mirage in 2016! i had it for 5 years! wow it was basically a shipping cart, but I loved how I was able to get around for the price of a bus pass!
I much prefer the classic AC control over the "everything in the screen" trend. Also, Kia Rio is just as fast as older and newer Hyundai Sonata with 2.4L and 2.5L!
Fascinating to see what the cheapest car looks like. Kia/Hyundai have really been excelling at offering serious value, and it doesn't surprise me that they'd do well in this category. Over 15 years, not factoring in inflation, a hybrid would save its owner up to $7,000; but I don't think you can reach a hybrid pricing with that 7K. Maybe an Elantra Blue trim Hybrid,,, but that's a really stripped down vehicle. Takes all the fun out of it. A loaded Rio might be more fun. Great video!
More reviews and long-term tests on inexpensive compacts and subcompacts would be appreciated. Many people can't afford or don't want to spend more than $25K, which is nearly half the price of the average new vehicle!
I own a 2015 kai rio with a 1.4 engine with a 4 speed auto. Its slow and dull as drying paint but its been reliable, cheap to own and get decent mileage considering our 3rd world traffic hell. I dont care what people say about the car i drive as a beater. Please make more affordable car content.
Love the content on the cheaper and lower trim vehicles keep it going!! I’d love to see a review on the refreshed Versa. I’d love to see you buy a Versa or Rio!
Thanks for the review Alex! The Kia Rio seems like an interesting option for least inexpensive cars. I think I'd still go for the Mirage from what I've seen of its reliability and I don't mind its under-power engine. I'd definitely watch more video of inexpensive cars like this so go ahead and buy that Nissan Versa haha.
I'm concern that there's just no stock of this car like you said in the video. Doesn't matter if it's a good car. There's nothing available near where I live.
I'm going to have to google how a CVT can work with a chain. That confuses me (for now). Also, they just need to stop putting "shift points" in CVTs. People will adapt.
Like always, a very comprehensive review by Alex, although missing one component I wish he might have addressed, that being the Induction Technology on this Engine. I know that this later 1.6 Liter Kia Engine has Multi Point Fuel Injection (yeah) and I had believed that it DID NOT have Direct Injection. HOWEVER, upon close inspection of the engine, there appears to be TWO Injectors per cylinder. I've seen only ONE Review of the Rio which suggested this engine indeed has BOTH Multi Point AND Direct Injection, ala some Toyota engines. IF so, Bravo to Kia for adopting such technology to help avoid some of the horrendous problems caused by Direct Injection and the resulting Carbon Fouling of the Valves. I live in the Rust Belt of Southern Ontario in Canada and currently have a 2023 Kia Rio Hatchback. It's interesting to note the significant differences between what is offered by Kia's distribution network in the U.S. versus Canada AND their comparative Price Points. In Canada, there are 4 different Trim Levels (LX+ MT, LX+, LX Premium, and EX Premium) BUT there is no available "Stand Alone Technology Package" option for base trim levels. I have the entry level LX+ MT model, which lo and behold, has a pretty decent 6 Speed Manual Transmission. Even though the engine in this vehicle only makes 120 Horsepower it is actually capable of "Pulling Rubber" in 2nd gear. The LX+ is the same vehicle BUT with the IVT Transmission as equipped in your test model. The LX Premium Trim here includes a Heated Steering Wheel, LED Daytime Running Lights, LCD Instrument Cluster, and Blind Spot Collision Warning. All three of those models have the same 15" Steel Wheels and Wheel Covers as on your test vehicle with drum brakes out back. I have no problem with that (actually prefer it) as 70% of braking is accomplished by the front brakes anyway and rear disc brakes ALWAYS corrode away before they wear out in those areas with Salt Laden winter roads. The top of the Line EX Premium in Canada includes Lane Follow Assist, Smart Key with Push Button Start, Satellite Radio, Forward Collision Avoidance, Fog Lights, 17" Alloy Wheels, Rear Disc Brakes, and Kia Connect, Ironically, my "Bottom of the Line" Rio Hatchback has a lovely Leather Wrapped & Stitched Steering Wheel rather than the Urethane piece in your test vehicle, probably lifted from the Kia Forte which I understand is produced in the same plant in Mexico. I was also surprised by the VERY decent sound quality from this entry level Infotainment System. For me personally the "Wireless Android Auto / Apple CarPlay" is a bit of a disappointment considering that there's no Wireless Charging Mat for the phone. You may get where you're going only to find out your phone is nearly dead when you get there. Ahh, and then there is pricing! My vehicle cost $17,445 Canadian plus $1,750 Freight plus $100 Air Conditioning Tax plus $250 for the paint color = $!9,545. Then we have the ubiquitous Federal and Provincial Sales Tax at 13% for an additional $2,540.85. So, the "Out The Door Price" for my 2023 Rio Hatchback was $22,085.85 CANADIAN. Considering the current U.S. / Canada currency exchange rate, that translates to $16,731.70 U.S. "On The Road Price". Not bad in today's current vehicle pricing regimes. To put that all in perspective, in 1973 I purchased Mazda 808 2 door coupe with a 1.6 liter engine, 4 speed manual transmission, NO Radio, and Rubber Floor Mats. Certainly no Power Door Locks, no Power Steering, no Power Brakes, no Power Windows, no Cruise Control, no Air Conditioning, and certainly no Navigation Capability. The engine in that Mazda made a whopping 70 Horsepower and was capable of running 0-60 in about 13 seconds with a 19.3 second quarter mile (whoo hoo) in spite of only weighing 2,000 pounds. Conversely, the 2023 Kia Rio Hatchback with manual transmission weighs just over 2,700 pounds. If that light weight Mazda had this Rio's drivetrain, it would have been considered a compact Hot Rod. At that time, the Mazda cost approximately $2,600 which was equivalent to 6 months salary in 1973 (people tend to remember what things cost back then but forget how much their income was). By way of contrast, this pretty well equipped BASE Model Kia cost me just under 5 months of my "Retirement Income" here in Canada. In my mind, that represents some pretty incredible advancements in manufacturing efficiencies. That old Mazda achieved about 32 mpg Canadian (27 mpg U.S.) with an abundance of highway driving, versus the Rio delivering over 41 mpg Canadian (34+ U.S.) in virtually ALL City Driving and a large proportion of that being in Winter Driving. So what's NOT to like in the Kia Rio hatchback? Not much actually. Those old school Halogen headlights flat out SUCK on country roads compared to modern LED headlights. Ditto for the halogen interior light bulbs which are virtually useless in an all Black Interior. Entry/Exit is a bit of a challenge for these "Older Bones" BUT interior space is more than adequate once inside. Obviously, at this stage of my life, I would NEVER choose this vehicle as my primary source of transportation. That being said, it is a perfectly adequate Run-A-Bout for a 2nd vehicle or perhaps a young student. In our case, our "Primary Mode of Transportation" is a Fully Loaded 2022 Kia Niro PHEV which my wife and I absolutely love BUT it cost nearly double what the Rio retails for. Bravo to Kia for still actually making a vehicle such as the Rio which is quite capable of transporting one's butt from point A to point B in relative comfort. Unfortunately, many potential customers and MOST automotive reviewers seem to think a vehicle needs to also be their (Personal Amusement Park Ride) with insane 0-60 mph sprints and lateral acceleration exceeding 1G.
I hope Mazda/Toyota bring the Mazda2/Yaris back to the USA. Love my little 2 but it’s getting very old will need replacement in a few years. Perhaps I will get this. Thanks Alex.
That's good to know. The only thing the Rio is missing is Blind Spot Detection. That's the only thing preventing me from recommending this vehicle over its high riding crossover cousin the Venue.
Thank you so much for this review!! You inspired me to buy one and it’s perfect. I looked at a used Corolla with 70k miles or a brand new Rio and it was no contest. Why spend the same money on a well used Corolla when this car has everything you need.
The 2 liter Corolla LE was on my short list, but i'm surprised how good the Rio is in comparison. Rio is more compact, cheaper and has a better warranty.
It seems very reminiscent of my 2005 Spectra I had. The materials inside look just like it. It also looks like the car has grown in size since the 2005 Rio.
5 years and 50,000 miles ago I bought a new Nissan Versa base model with 5 speed manual. $11,500 including all taxes and fees. No issues except for 1 rear wheel bearing.
if you like driving I think that new jetta sport with the 1.5t and manual for 22k is a killer deal. overall feels way nicer built than the price would suggest. and you can usually find them with 3 or 4k miles on them for 20-30% off sticker
I’m glad some companies are making these kinds of cars for the people who want them. When someone wants my advice for a sedan, I always say used Camry or Avalon.
"Why does this headlight have condensation in it?" Because it's a Korean car. Every Korean car I've ever owned except my 2017 Elantra Sport had that issue, though it would go away over time. None of them had accidents.
Interesting reveal. I wonder what the owner satisfaction surveys would say. Considering how car costs have spiraled up, it's nice to see a few low cost options that don't involve pedaling.
That thing seems like a Rolls Royce compared to my 2003 Rio. I'd love to see more in-depth reviews of budget cars.
Me too. Cheap new cars don't get enough love.
@@palebeachbumProbably because they’re not reliable.
I mean people have to pay up for Toyota or Honda reliability.
@@palebeachbum Agree!
@@faheemabbas3965 Neither Honda or Toyota offer a competitor to the Rio. They axed the Fit and the Yaris.
@@faheemabbas3965 Not too sure what you are talking about. You get reliability with this Rio with the lower price.
Thank you for going out of your way to review this car! In reality this is all the car that 90% of us need. Refreshing in a time when the average car transaction price is close to $50k 🤯
Keep in mind though that carmakers don’t want to make cheap small new cars because the profit margins are too thin. They would much rather make huge 50k suvs and trucks because of the fat profit margins. Sad.
_"... this is all the car that 90% of us need."_
*Said NO Tahoe, F-150, Suburban or Silverado owner* *_EVER._*
Need?? They need an F150 to go to the mall ? Most truck buyers aren't doing truck things with them.
@@sachinnair91 *: Manufacturers produce what sells. If expensive trucks and SUVs weren't purchased....*
@@sachinnair91 It's doable though, they just have to be able to produce and sell at volume. And if they are able to accomplish this, they can make a ton of money, maybe even more than doing it the other way around, but from what I've heard it is harder. American OEMs should be afraid though, because if Americans don't want to do it the Chinese will, at least for EVs specifically speaking. The Chinese have 10 years of development over every American company other than Tesla, so legacy OEMs should be really concerned now if they weren't already.
Really appreciate seeing a review of a car that *isn't* pushing $60K. It's refreshing.
My 2021 KIA Rio, cheapest one they make is the best car I have ever had. I really can't believe it. It is the perfect city car and does vwery well on the hiway. It is so easy to drive that it does not tire you out on a longer drive or slogging around city streets. The A C is great and that is the first and most important thing about this car. Its power to weight ratio is very good and this car performs way better than you have been led to believe it would. Even the drum brakes are very smooth. Would definitly buy again.
After watching your review on the 2018 Accent, I purchased a brand new 2019 Accent SE with stick shift for $13,995 out the door. Adjusted for inflation, this is the most inexpensive car I ever purchased. I think it is the best car I ever owned if the engine holds out as some Hyundai/Kia had failures with their GDI engines. I have gotten 45,000 miles so far with no issues and the gas mileage is excellent. I can get 45-55 mpg on long highway trips. The handling is fun and I consider the interior to be roomy. Previous cars were 01 Miata, 93 Impreza, 83 Accord, 80 900 Turbo, 73 Pinto.
Brand new 2019 in 2023 ?
How is that possible?
@@davidguarin358 please read the post again before complaining.
@@davidguarin358 Brand new 2019 in 2019...
Not bad for one of the cheapest new vehicles people forget how truly terrible entry level cars were in the early 2000s and before
True but entry level cars were also half the price back then. I wish there was a super cheap simple bare bones small new car that can be bought in the USA for 10-12k but unfortunately even a new Mirage or Rio or Versa will end costing you 20k or more.
@@sachinnair91 basic safety equipment and govn't mandates make that nearly impossible! Cars that cheap do exist in other markets because they don't have to pass the same safety regulations thus driving a death machine
Not sure what you are referrring to as entry level cars (honda/nissan/toyota) were better built back then.
@@bigmacdaddy1234Ford Pinto, Escort, Festiva, Aspire, Chevy/Pontiac Cavalier, Sunfire, Sunbird, Dodge/Plymouth Omni, Reliant, Shadow… Hyundai Excel… it’s a long list of terrible entry-level cars.
@@yanboa I owned a couple of those cars as well and didn't have any problems with them. The price was right and they ran just fine.
I'd much rather see how a Kia Rio 5-door holds up over time with the actual tech package. Seems like the most practical combination of usability, cargo, and still have the ability to use adaptive cruise, etc. This is basically what folks would have been buying with any normal hatchback in the 1990s, plus you get adaptive cruise, wireless nav, backup cameras, and LED lighting...
The Rio has adaptive cruise? Since when??
@@invektra Would love someone who actually has one to confirm, but the "Lane Following Assist" is described as follows: "When Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go is activated, Lane Following Assist monitors lane markings to keep the Rio centered in its lane."
@@andspenrob Yeah, adaptive cruise + lane following. It's like a base model "Autopilot" - works decently as long as you keep your hand on the wheel and don't expect it to take tight turns at highway speed.
In the U.S, it doesn't. I just traded in a top-of-the-line '23 Rio S Hatchback Tech. Definitely alot for what it is & is great honestly, but it does not have adaptive cruise, just regular cruise control.
it's only a pity that the hatchback versions are either more expensive or disappear in favor of small SUVs that will always eat more gasoline than their car equivalent.
Love these cheap small car reviews. Always surprised by the features at such a low price compared to stripped down larger cars.
Especially in Bidens horrible economy, we need cheap cars
The rio is all the more appealing since the Impreza has left that price segment
@@boygonewhoopdataZZ our roads are flooded with millions of illegal immigrants who do not know how to drive , a Kia Rio is very dangerous since most illegals drive Yukons, Tahoes, and Escalades.
Great review, Alex. I miss cheap cars like this. Growing up in the ‘80s, there were many inexpensive cars to choose from.
He's an interesting twist Alex. I just looked for a Rio five door in my area and they're all marked up by the dealer for at least $2,000 more than MSRP. 🤦♂️ No wonder people are going for other cars. I really miss affordable small cars.
Kia is pretty notorious lately for their mark-ups
You think you can save on gasoline and the dealers know how to take advantage of it
There's a dealer just south of Seattle that is marking up Rios by $5,000.
I've considered getting the hatch version of one of these. I can afford things far far fancier, but I'm getting tired of cars just being massively complicated computers on wheels and costing a dozen kidneys because reasons, and I'm a tech person. It's cheap with a nice long warranty and can probably get like 45+ mpg with good driving habits. Could throw some better tires on there for very little. I hope they keep this little vehicle around. It's tough to beat.
Yes! Car manufacturers won't start shifting their production down-market until people like you who can afford to pay the exorbitant prices they're charging for higher-end cars take a stand and start buying cheaper cars anyway.
Agreed!
I mean modern cars were always computers, this is just evolutionary. It’s all to make things easier and simpler.
@@rylans.5365 The US Air Force is running Kubernetes on F-16s these days, and I'm not joking. There's a lot of technological "evolution" these days that definitely does not make things simpler or easier
Get the hatch!!!! It's pretty damn cool imo.
Very practical car, a rare sight in today’s market. I’d take the hatchback to really maximize practicality, though.
Love the economy car reviews. I don’t look at these as cheap. I look at them as value models. Thank you for reviewing
I love reviews of budget cars! Alex, more of this, please. The Rio design was good in a VW kind of way when it first came out in 2018, but it looks so bland now. What's odd is that manufacturers usually do a facelift and offer different paint colors, fabrics, and features to try to keep an older model fresh and relevant. Kia did the complete opposite with the Rio. They've been stripping out content over the years. It's only available in one trim now. The "S". Gone are the leather upholstery and fog lights options. The gray upholstery is only available with gray or black paint. How bland! They changed out the sporty-looking alloy wheels they used to offer for ugly new alloy wheels. What's interesting is that in other countries, they still offer the Rio with the older, better-looking wheel style, and they offer it with many more options. A choice of engines. Better paint colors. More features. The USA gets the short stick for some reason. It makes me think they're trying to kill off the Rio in the U.S. to lure buyers into more expensive CUVs. I have a feeling the Rio will be discontinued soon. It's hard to even buy one because dealers have so few on their lots. Some dealers are marking them up thousands over MSRP too.
Awesome review as always Alex, I have not driven a newer Kia Rio, but I did have a Nissan Versa for a few weeks and it was a great little car I was averaging 36 miles per gallon and I was not easy on it, it was comfortable, Android auto Apple carplay work flawlessly, not too loud on the road. I was really impressed. I have also rented a Kia Forte and it was a 2020 base version and I was amazed. Excellent gas mileage, awesome Lane keeping assist, very comfortable, you get a lot for your money.
Such a refreshing review to watch. Reminded me of what originally drew me to AOA - enthusiasm for pragmatism, thorough value proposition analysis and detailed comparisons and insights. Would absolutely LOVE to see an entry in this segment bought long-term for the channel. As a save the manuals kinda guy, I vote for a 5-speed Versa, but would love to see any of them to be honest.
Anyway, choosing an automatic Nissan with a cvt is looking for trouble
I always drove tiny cheap and cheerful cars back when AC and power anything was reserved for more expensive models. The Last one I had was a 2001 Hyundai Accent (it had AC, a 5sp manual, and power steering) which I will always remember my late father's snide comments on having to manually lock the doors and roll up the windows. My guess would be the Rio with power everything and modern infotainment may not feel as low end as the basic cars of years ago.
You lucked out, I had that same car and my speakers were shot by year three and had like three recalls
I could easily do without electric door locks which annoy me more than they help me
@@jkeelsnc most people are, and as someone who's riding on the tail end of a beautiful 2000 ford ranger, I kinda agree. I've never had a problem with my locks breaking, but the inconvenience of both sides being manual locks is frustrating on its own, crank windows I'm much less annoyed with.
Never had a single issue with powered windows in 20+ years of my family owning 3 cars (not including my ranger), so it feels like a rare issue to have. All of that being said, we're looking at cars. If you own anything more expensive than $24,000, you're probably buying it for aesthetic or convenience items, who cares if someone prefers power windows and locks when others are paying $75+ for car logo cup holder trash cans lmao.
My mom bought a Rio in 2014. We took very good care of it, very reliable car. Till this day it drives like a dream, very quiet. I definitely recommend this car to anyone!
I have the exact same car, you can get around 48 to 50 miles per gallon if you allow the car to “glide” in the highway. Fuel efficiency is insane with this baby, it puts a smile on my face at the gas station everytime I see some guy pays $80-$110 filling their behemoth pickup truck while my max bill is only $20-$25 on average.
More of these wonderful, practical and not so flashy car reviews! Absolutely astounding job, very good info and a great listen
Thank you for the all the work you've done!
I appreciate that you rented this car so you can tell us about everything and now we know exactly how to approach this car and what to expect about it, with that being said I am not buying any car for perhaps maybe the next 10 years 😂😂
Truly sad Honda doesn’t make the Fit anymore. I just can’t see how buying such a cheap Kia, Nissan or Mitsubishi would be a good choice for something that’s reliable, which is important when you’re on a tight budget.
I seriously considered a Fit last time I bought a car. Great little car but the end of the model discount on the smiley face Mazda 3 made it almost the same price as the Fit.
Unfortunately the market has spoken and it's SUV everything now. Want a Fit? Too bad. Buy an HRV. It's like the Fit but the in SUV form!
@@keithck3720 The Mazda is a great choice.
I like Hondas but I don’t care for the HRV. My family has least every Honda model and the HRV was by far the biggest piece of junk. Granted it was the last generation, it was a let down for sure.
@@atmartens I've been very happy with the Mazda. No regrets there.
I really did like the incredible utility of the Fit. I have a soft spot for Honda as my previous car was a 99 Civic and the Fit really reminded of it. I haven't tried the new Civic but it'd high on my list if I were shopping for a new car.
@@keithck3720 New Civic is great. I personally would go for the Integra but both are great choices.
@@atmartens For sure, you can never go wrong with a Civic. It's still one of Honda's best sellers and they still put a lot of effort and money into it. One of few manufacturers holding the line on making good cars.
My take-away of this review: I miss the animation that would be in the left margin of the reviews.
Funny how AlexonAutos always pumps Kia and Hyundai cars but doesn’t talk about how their cars are being price gouged by dealership with average +$5,500 dollars and up above msrp. Hidden cost that people are not required to pay but fooled by dealerships and TH-cam car reviewers.
@torocars9227
BINGO! I'm shocked he even bothered to do a low priced car review. He's always pushing
loaded models from every car company.
Alex, sales of small cheap new cars are low because carmakers are purposely producing less of them. Carmakers put the blame on lack of demand but the truth is, they don’t want to make small cheap new cars. Profit margins are too thin on them. Carmakers would much rather make huge SUV’s and trucks with fat profit margins baked in.
The GREED is real.
@@lyonl.snitchey5203 sad but true.
I have a Nissan Versa 2018 stick shift , five years today, 4th of July, and 42.000 miles, and i am very happy with the car. Oil changes every 5000 miles and some fuel injection cleaner for every thousand miles. The car computer shows 38.8 por gal. local driving and fwy, in 5.700 altitude.
I would love for you guys to do both the rio and versa for long term reviews ( i mean considering that would be the cost roughy of the average price of most cars today) so we can see if they really hold up over time
I’d take the Rio over the Versa. But I’d take the previous gen Versa S manual over the current Rio because it’s a lot more spacious
man was the last Versa ugly though
@@Carfan678 i thought it was kinda cute looking.
@@naveenthemachinekinda so ugly that it’s cute?
@@atmartensno. I think the previous gen Versa is adorable. It’s kinda like baby Altima.
I would take a Honda Fit manual....but second hand prices have exploded after discontinuation.
A traversty the KIA dealers near me don't carry the Rio. This still has a place in the segment and there are buyers for it
I’m not surprised at the lack of market - someone convinced half the U.S. that there’s something wrong with a man if he doesn’t own a full-size pickup and something wrong with a woman if she doesn’t have a crossover.
Good info. Tire of reviews about fully loaded vehicles
As a father with a HS grad now going on to college I would like to more vehicles like this
The Venue would also be a great option for a HS grad. More usable space. Quick enough to get around but slow enough to stay out of trouble
Problem is you have to deal with a KIA dealer and the $1500 price adjustment.
Those have gone away. It’s no longer 2022.
There’s a lot to be said for inexpensive cars. I bought a 2021 Kia Soul for over 4k off MSRP just before pandemic pricing hit. Certainly the best value I’ve ever had in a car. I actually considered the Rio and Venue, but at that time I thought the Soul performed a bit better, was larger and more capable, and a better value. 48k miles so far!
Did they fix the lack of ability to get insurance on non-immobilizer Kias and Hyundais?
I bought a slightly used 2023 Rio with the push button start. According to my local dealer, the push button start eliminates the much publicized theft risk.
I would love if you make more reviews like this. I am leaning to buy Trax, your review about it helped me a lot. Adaptive Cruise Control pays for itself on HWY, I think it is must have. Also, it has more interior space for family. I wish there were more options out there. I would love to see your review of Versa.
I had one as a rental for two weeks, it was not bad. It's 1000x better than the old economy cars
The Rio hasn't had a redesign in years. They used to have an EX trim and it did have a telescoping steering wheel. When they cancelled that trim a few years back they took that away and I don't know why. The Hyundai Accent always had a telescoping steering wheel.
I can't fathom why, but Kia has been cheapening the Rio since introducing this generation in 2018. They only have try S trim now. They got rid of the nice multi spoke alloy wheels, leather upholstery, fog lights, and tilt wheel. So bizarre. Also, the color choices are lousy.
@@palebeachbum They want people to move up to the Forte instead. They probably make more money on the Forte than a bare bones Rio
My 2019 Accent SE did not have a telescoping steering wheel. Only higher level trims did, but you can't get those in manual, which was more important to me.
@@keithlai2592 Yeah, it was just the Limited trim. At least it was available though.
Love the review, and love cars like the Rio. I have a prev. gen Rio that my wife and I daily and use as a backup, and it's been serving us faithfully and saving us thousands of dollars over the last 5 years. Would be nice to have a long term tester on this channel, I would certainly watch the videos.
In South Africa the hatchback is called the Rio but the sedan is called the pegus.nice review.
Local dealership Kia technology package $26,000 before taxes
My first new car was a 2001 Hyundai Accent GS 3-door hatch with manual transmission and hatch spoiler :)
I paid about $12k for it and got about 36 mpg. Total piece of junk but I loved it!
This Kia thing strikes me as way more car for today's dollars, especially with that mpg and super long warranty.
I ❤️ my kia soul that is a 2015. I dont see anything cheap about them. I grew up in cadillacs, buicks, lexus, i have been driving kias since 2006
Alex, Go ahead and review the cheapest cars but there is no need to buy one unless that entails trading in the Outlander 😉
Yes please please review more cheap cars. i have family that cant afford much and i send them your videos when u do them so they know those lower price vehicles are out there and at least have some hope they can get into one.
This reminds me of how many features are now standard on cars compared to a few years ago. I bought a Mazda3 HB AWD and it’s only one step up from the base. Auto cruise control, power everything, the electronic nannies, apple car play, 18” alloys… and it was under $26k MSRP when I got it in 2021. It has been a great car so far and does everything I need. The examples they send to most car reviewers are a full $10-12k more with turbos and more options I don’t miss. More tests of base models would be great to see!
Unfortunately this is not what the manufacturer sends to reviewers.
@@oi32df I realize that this isn't what they send to reviewers, that's one of the reasons I really like this review.
The question is, which engine and transmission will last longer a versa manual transmission or a kia cvt transmission?
The good thing about basic old cruise control is that it still works in harsh weather. For whatever reason, brand new high end Kias have adaptive cruise control that will literally just stop working if the sensors are obstructed by snow or even water. I feel like they should have built in a fallback cruise control system. Technically, that's as simple as a software update for some vehicles.
You shouldn't use cruise during hard rain. If you hydroplane, the motor can rev and when it regains traction, you could crash and die. :( Anyone with "dragon" in their screen name deserves to live. :)
@@lefttea Yes, I know that. I drive for a living.
I'm perfectly capable of driving in rain with cruise on. Unlike a lot of people, I'm actually focused on the road so I can see when there are hydroplaning puddles coming up. They're not even that hard to spot.
Plus, I have saved myself from spinouts before, and that was snow and ice.
What I say, is practice drifting. It comes in so handy in an emergency.
I'm interested in a long term Versa review.
The 'Car Care Nut' sometimes do evaluations of the underside of a brand other than Toyota and the result indicates that Hyundai does not shine much there, so it sucks for Kia.
Get a manual trans Versa. Should be very interesting.
Thank You
Alex: your reviews are the best, and I admire your ability to cover all makes and price ranges with fairness.
I really appreciate your flexibility to get a rental for this one.
It's sad that mfrs are moving away from "cheap and cheerful" cars, but as you say, it's because consumers don't seem to want them anymore.
If you get a Rio or Versa, I think that would be great. Keep us informed!
They are great car! Mine is 9 years old manual hatch and i love it! I should buy a new one since they are going away but mine is still a solid, fun base car. The comparo with the corolla is on point, i saw a hatch corolla and a hatch rio side by side and they were almost the same dimension! The only downside is the rust that is starting, but i live in Québec so...I really wish kia would keep them on sale, they are the last of a kind...and i would buy another one!
La corolla est trop petite à l'interieur , ils auraient dû garder la Matrix au menu ou nous amener la Corolla hybride Estate disponible en europe
thank you so much for actually comparing the car to cars of it's value/category instead of like most youtubers where they compare this to some porsche with 12 speed duel clutch automatics I'll never be able to afford. Thank you so much.
Also note that the sub compacts usually have more ground clearance and higher seating which makes them great as commuters in Easter cities like Philly, Baltimore, Newark, Hartford, etc.
I'm not sure where you came up with that, sub compacts are literally the smallest category of vehicles sold (legth/width), and no, they don't have more ground clearance for being the smallest, if anything they have less.
The category that has more ground clearance are SUVs and Trucks tend to have more ground clearance than Sedans.
The problem is how much more car you can get if you are willing to buy a 5 year old used car. For the same price you can get something really nice instead of the bottom of the bottom, just to say you bought a new car.
Love these affordable card reviews. The older 2011-2017 Rios actually had a GDI with a bit more power (138hp) and was a bit faster (0-60 in 7.5 for the manual and 8.5 in the 6-speed auto). That said, the mileage was originally overstated (at 33/43 for the automatic and a bit better for the manual) but was later corrected to 29/37 for the manual and 28/36 for the auto.
Excellent info, lots of details, and nice graphics. This is classic Alex! I love the budget series idea, with the Versa, Rio, and other low cost performers being tested for extensive daily use by AA team. The Versa is especially a very appealing choice. Manufacturers should be incentivized to build stuff like this instead of useless EVs we can't afford.
I'd love you to buy a Rio, specifically the hatchback, which I prefer to the sedan.
I'm very, VERY glad Kia is still offering the Rio, especially in hatchback form. So many subcompact vehicles have been replaced by more expensive crossover-like vehicles or pulled from the US market entirely (I wish I could buy a Honda Fit new in the US)! Cars need not and should not cost a fortune and this is a superb example.
I’m very impressed with the Rio. Love the physical controls inside. Everything you need in a car honestly. Would love to see AOA get a cheap car long term like the Rio or Versa
In 2021 I got the LX Premium hatchback (Canadian version) and I absolutely love it. It has heated steering wheel, sideview mirrors and front seats, LED daytime running lights, blind-spot collision sensor, alloy wheels, sunroof and a bunch of other cool things for an afforable and compact car.
Add $2K dealer markup. I looked. I wish these auto reviewers would consider actual "street" price.
Excellent job! A very thorough review and quite comprehensive as well. Keep doing what you're doing.
I have a 22 Kia Stonic SUV in the Philippines, ( a 1.4 L non turbo 6 speed regular trans. ) ,
Now a China XK1. Basically a Rio SUV. Not imported to the US, Nice style ! Check it out.
Do a cheap car video.
Lots of people want point A to point B basic forms of transportation and are not delicate or picky.
My first car was a 9k CAD brand new mirage in 2016! i had it for 5 years! wow it was basically a shipping cart, but I loved how I was able to get around for the price of a bus pass!
Absolutely phenomenal review. This is the Gold Standards of how reviews should be done. Thank you. Good job 👍.
I much prefer the classic AC control over the "everything in the screen" trend. Also, Kia Rio is just as fast as older and newer Hyundai Sonata with 2.4L and 2.5L!
Fascinating to see what the cheapest car looks like. Kia/Hyundai have really been excelling at offering serious value, and it doesn't surprise me that they'd do well in this category. Over 15 years, not factoring in inflation, a hybrid would save its owner up to $7,000; but I don't think you can reach a hybrid pricing with that 7K. Maybe an Elantra Blue trim Hybrid,,, but that's a really stripped down vehicle. Takes all the fun out of it. A loaded Rio might be more fun. Great video!
More reviews and long-term tests on inexpensive compacts and subcompacts would be appreciated. Many people can't afford or don't want to spend more than $25K, which is nearly half the price of the average new vehicle!
I own a 2015 kai rio with a 1.4 engine with a 4 speed auto. Its slow and dull as drying paint but its been reliable, cheap to own and get decent mileage considering our 3rd world traffic hell. I dont care what people say about the car i drive as a beater. Please make more affordable car content.
I had a 2019 Rio S - it was a great car! Still miss it sometimes, I had decided to get something larger.
Love the content on the cheaper and lower trim vehicles keep it going!! I’d love to see a review on the refreshed Versa. I’d love to see you buy a Versa or Rio!
Auto Buyter Guide? 0:47
Oops
The hate is stupid. Need a lot more cars like this.
💯% on board with buying a cheap car to test. As a Hyundai/Kia owner, I'm partial to them.
In Canada I have the 2023 ex premium Rio. Leather Stiring , 17 inch 45 low profile. Even sun roof. Love it for $25k here. Love your show
Thanks for the review Alex! The Kia Rio seems like an interesting option for least inexpensive cars. I think I'd still go for the Mirage from what I've seen of its reliability and I don't mind its under-power engine. I'd definitely watch more video of inexpensive cars like this so go ahead and buy that Nissan Versa haha.
I'm concern that there's just no stock of this car like you said in the video. Doesn't matter if it's a good car. There's nothing available near where I live.
100% why I bought my 2019 Yaris LE sedan over the Mazda3, Corolla, Forte. The Yaris won over the Rio by its (objectively) better 6-speed AT.
Yes. Do the cheaper cars video reviews. Thanks for your work.
At 0:45, Is 'Alex on Autos' really now 'Auto Buyters Guide'? I bet not.
Hmmmm.. good job on the new opening title. Like that!💯
I'm going to have to google how a CVT can work with a chain. That confuses me (for now).
Also, they just need to stop putting "shift points" in CVTs. People will adapt.
Like always, a very comprehensive review by Alex, although missing one component I wish he might have addressed, that being the Induction Technology on this Engine. I know that this later 1.6 Liter Kia Engine has Multi Point Fuel Injection (yeah) and I had believed that it DID NOT have Direct Injection. HOWEVER, upon close inspection of the engine, there appears to be TWO Injectors per cylinder. I've seen only ONE Review of the Rio which suggested this engine indeed has BOTH Multi Point AND Direct Injection, ala some Toyota engines. IF so, Bravo to Kia for adopting such technology to help avoid some of the horrendous problems caused by Direct Injection and the resulting Carbon Fouling of the Valves.
I live in the Rust Belt of Southern Ontario in Canada and currently have a 2023 Kia Rio Hatchback. It's interesting to note the significant differences between what is offered by Kia's distribution network in the U.S. versus Canada AND their comparative Price Points.
In Canada, there are 4 different Trim Levels (LX+ MT, LX+, LX Premium, and EX Premium) BUT there is no available "Stand Alone Technology Package" option for base trim levels. I have the entry level LX+ MT model, which lo and behold, has a pretty decent 6 Speed Manual Transmission. Even though the engine in this vehicle only makes 120 Horsepower it is actually capable of "Pulling Rubber" in 2nd gear. The LX+ is the same vehicle BUT with the IVT Transmission as equipped in your test model. The LX Premium Trim here includes a Heated Steering Wheel, LED Daytime Running Lights, LCD Instrument Cluster, and Blind Spot Collision Warning. All three of those models have the same 15" Steel Wheels and Wheel Covers as on your test vehicle with drum brakes out back. I have no problem with that (actually prefer it) as 70% of braking is accomplished by the front brakes anyway and rear disc brakes ALWAYS corrode away before they wear out in those areas with Salt Laden winter roads. The top of the Line EX Premium in Canada includes Lane Follow Assist, Smart Key with Push Button Start, Satellite Radio, Forward Collision Avoidance, Fog Lights, 17" Alloy Wheels, Rear Disc Brakes, and Kia Connect,
Ironically, my "Bottom of the Line" Rio Hatchback has a lovely Leather Wrapped & Stitched Steering Wheel rather than the Urethane piece in your test vehicle, probably lifted from the Kia Forte which I understand is produced in the same plant in Mexico. I was also surprised by the VERY decent sound quality from this entry level Infotainment System. For me personally the "Wireless Android Auto / Apple CarPlay" is a bit of a disappointment considering that there's no Wireless Charging Mat for the phone. You may get where you're going only to find out your phone is nearly dead when you get there.
Ahh, and then there is pricing! My vehicle cost $17,445 Canadian plus $1,750 Freight plus $100 Air Conditioning Tax plus $250 for the paint color = $!9,545. Then we have the ubiquitous Federal and Provincial Sales Tax at 13% for an additional $2,540.85. So, the "Out The Door Price" for my 2023 Rio Hatchback was $22,085.85 CANADIAN. Considering the current U.S. / Canada currency exchange rate, that translates to $16,731.70 U.S. "On The Road Price". Not bad in today's current vehicle pricing regimes.
To put that all in perspective, in 1973 I purchased Mazda 808 2 door coupe with a 1.6 liter engine, 4 speed manual transmission, NO Radio, and Rubber Floor Mats. Certainly no Power Door Locks, no Power Steering, no Power Brakes, no Power Windows, no Cruise Control, no Air Conditioning, and certainly no Navigation Capability. The engine in that Mazda made a whopping 70 Horsepower and was capable of running 0-60 in about 13 seconds with a 19.3 second quarter mile (whoo hoo) in spite of only weighing 2,000 pounds. Conversely, the 2023 Kia Rio Hatchback with manual transmission weighs just over 2,700 pounds. If that light weight Mazda had this Rio's drivetrain, it would have been considered a compact Hot Rod. At that time, the Mazda cost approximately $2,600 which was equivalent to 6 months salary in 1973 (people tend to remember what things cost back then but forget how much their income was). By way of contrast, this pretty well equipped BASE Model Kia cost me just under 5 months of my "Retirement Income" here in Canada. In my mind, that represents some pretty incredible advancements in manufacturing efficiencies. That old Mazda achieved about 32 mpg Canadian (27 mpg U.S.) with an abundance of highway driving, versus the Rio delivering over 41 mpg Canadian (34+ U.S.) in virtually ALL City Driving and a large proportion of that being in Winter Driving.
So what's NOT to like in the Kia Rio hatchback? Not much actually. Those old school Halogen headlights flat out SUCK on country roads compared to modern LED headlights. Ditto for the halogen interior light bulbs which are virtually useless in an all Black Interior. Entry/Exit is a bit of a challenge for these "Older Bones" BUT interior space is more than adequate once inside. Obviously, at this stage of my life, I would NEVER choose this vehicle as my primary source of transportation. That being said, it is a perfectly adequate Run-A-Bout for a 2nd vehicle or perhaps a young student. In our case, our "Primary Mode of Transportation" is a Fully Loaded 2022 Kia Niro PHEV which my wife and I absolutely love BUT it cost nearly double what the Rio retails for. Bravo to Kia for still actually making a vehicle such as the Rio which is quite capable of transporting one's butt from point A to point B in relative comfort. Unfortunately, many potential customers and MOST automotive reviewers seem to think a vehicle needs to also be their (Personal Amusement Park Ride) with insane 0-60 mph sprints and lateral acceleration exceeding 1G.
I hope Mazda/Toyota bring the Mazda2/Yaris back to the USA. Love my little 2 but it’s getting very old will need replacement in a few years. Perhaps I will get this. Thanks Alex.
My only two concern is that that Rio is easy to steal and you will pay a lot of insurance and dealers will charge a high mar up.
The new models have the immobilizer chips.
New models have immobilizers.
That's good to know. The only thing the Rio is missing is Blind Spot Detection. That's the only thing preventing me from recommending this vehicle over its high riding crossover cousin the Venue.
Thank you so much for this review!! You inspired me to buy one and it’s perfect. I looked at a used Corolla with 70k miles or a brand new Rio and it was no contest. Why spend the same money on a well used Corolla when this car has everything you need.
The 2 liter Corolla LE was on my short list, but i'm surprised how good the Rio is in comparison. Rio is more compact, cheaper and has a better warranty.
It seems very reminiscent of my 2005 Spectra I had. The materials inside look just like it. It also looks like the car has grown in size since the 2005 Rio.
Drove a rental to Canada from USA. It's a fantastic car!
Get the Rio, budget car reviews are very good thanks.
5 years and 50,000 miles ago I bought a new Nissan Versa base model with 5 speed manual. $11,500 including all taxes and fees. No issues except for 1 rear wheel bearing.
if you like driving I think that new jetta sport with the 1.5t and manual for 22k is a killer deal. overall feels way nicer built than the price would suggest. and you can usually find them with 3 or 4k miles on them for 20-30% off sticker
I would love to get your take on the manual Versa, I think that would be a very interesting cheaper new car.
I’m glad some companies are making these kinds of cars for the people who want them. When someone wants my advice for a sedan, I always say used Camry or Avalon.
This is quite literally one of the best first car you can give to a new driver.
"Why does this headlight have condensation in it?"
Because it's a Korean car. Every Korean car I've ever owned except my 2017 Elantra Sport had that issue, though it would go away over time. None of them had accidents.
Love my Corolla LE Hybrid, still under $25k but not nearly as low as the rio
Living with cheap cars is an excellent idea Alex. This is what is happening more and more in families.
Interesting reveal. I wonder what the owner satisfaction surveys would say. Considering how car costs have spiraled up, it's nice to see a few low cost options that don't involve pedaling.