I was at a launch event for a new vehicle last week. During the lunch break, talk among my fellow auto writers turned to cars – as it does. When one of my colleagues asked me, “What have you driven recently that has actually surprised you?” I surprised myself with my answer. “The Kia Rio.” A few of my colleagues broke into laughter. “No, really. I drove the 2018 Kia Rio EX Five-Door, and I was really impressed.” The laughter stopped, replaced by looks of bemusement and disdain. I pushed back, and asked the writer who had laughed the loudest, “When was the last time you drove a Kia Rio?” A look of confusion. “Maybe 10 years ago… maybe longer…”
That could explain the laughter. The Kia Rio has just entered its fourth generation this year, and it is an entirely different animal than it was back then. Rio was Kia’s first original subcompact, arriving in the US in the 2000 model year. A second generation followed in 2005, and a third in 2011. The first two generation vehicles were easy to dismiss as cheap transportation with little distinction; while the third generation began to demonstrate some of the virtue and promise that the rest of the Kia lineup has displayed, with improved exterior design and overall build quality. Now, we get a fourth-generation Rio that can elicit a knowing nod and an admiring raised eyebrow, even from a jaded auto writer like me.
It all starts with the exterior. When I first encountered the five-door hatchback in my driveway, it was parked next to my wife’s 2012 Mazda3 five-door, a car that I love. The two vehicles share very similar shapes and dimensions, with taut body lines, a fast roof line and athletic wheel arches. The Rio has a pinched version of Kia’s signature tiger nose grille, multi-reflector headlights, fog lights and an integrated rear spoiler at the top of the hatch. My EX (top-of-the-line) trim-level vehicle wore 15-inch alloy wheels and a coat of Urban Gray paint. With its low, wide stance, the Rio was a worthy companion to the Mazda3.
Inside, Rio has made great strides. The dash is a highlight. The instrument panel on the driver’s side is nicely connected to the passenger’s dash with a horizontal element in a contrasting color, supported by a black beam below and black dash above. It makes the dash look structural and architectural, like a floating bridge above the footwells. The center stack and center console connect below the dash as a separate element, and the seven-inch touchscreen display hovers at the top center of the dash – excellent placement for minimizing distraction. The mostly analog instrument panel is protected from glare by a cowl. The door panels mirror the two-tone dash, and even the seats in my EX Launch Edition test vehicle ($500 option) wear red leather accents to amplify the theme. The second row is snug, as expected in a subcompact, with legroom dependent on the generosity (and height) of the front row occupant. The luggage compartment is surprisingly deep and roomy beneath the included removable package shelf, and capacity with the rear seat up is 17.4 cubic feet. Fold down the rear seat to open up 32.8 cubic feet of space – which is why the five-door hatchback is a very useful form.
The Rio EX’s touchscreen and electronics reminded me how quickly cars are evolving, even entry-level cars. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto mitigate the need for GPS navigation for smartphone owners (nearly everyone), and a standard rearview camera enhances safety. Bluetooth and USB/auxiliary input jacks assure connectivity, and front and rear charging USB jacks provide utility. Standard safety systems like ABS, ESC, hill-start assist, vehicle stability management and TPMS come on all trim levels, and EX trim also includes Autonomous Emergency Braking, a welcome safety system. The only major feature that I missed was push-button start and a proximity key, mostly because I’ve gotten so accustomed to leaving my key fob in my pocket. You have to take the fob out of your pocket and push a button to unlock, and you use a fold-out key to operate the ignition. Positively primitive. At least power windows and power door locks are standard.
The naturally aspirated (non-turbo) small displacement (1.6-liter) inline four-cylinder in the Rio comes with direct gasoline injection, which means that it cranks out 130 hp and 119 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a standard six-speed automatic transmission (a six-speed manual is available on LX and S models), power is directed to the front wheels only. The EPA estimates fuel economy at 28 mpg city/37 mpg highway/32 mpg combined. Since the Rio EX weighs in at just 2,714 lbs, the mild horsepower and torque ratings are not a big issue for drivability. The transmission does a great job of keeping the engine in its sweet spot, especially with liberal applications of throttle, and the Rio feels and sounds zippy. As much as I love driving overpowered cars, I still admired the Rio powertrain, and even had fun driving.
Rio’s suspension is dead simple: Independent MacPherson struts up front, and a coupled torsion-beam rear. The EX comes with disc brakes front and rear – as opposed to the front disc/rear drum setup in the lower trim levels. Electric power steering feels direct and well-tuned, which is not an easy accomplishment, so kudos to Kia. Ride quality is acceptable, even when put to the test by my local roads in southeastern Michigan. With just 5.5 inches of ground clearance, 15-inch wheels and a torsion-beam rear, potholes must be avoided at all cost. Swerving through the rubble of Detroit roadways, I was glad to be in a car that was just 67.9 inches wide with a 60-inch track.
My test vehicle, a 2018 Rio EX five-door, carried a starting price of $18,700 ($20,225 as tested). Rio LX starts at $14,700, and Rio S starts at $16,400 – impressively low starting prices. But I’d recommend the EX, if only for the safety features (four-wheel disc brakes and Autonomous Emergency Braking) that are standard on EX and unavailable on LX and S. The additional included amenities, like the seven-inch touchscreen and rearview camera, are also worth the extra cash. Test drive other entry-level hatchbacks before you buy a Rio, like the Honda Fit, Ford Fiesta (while it lasts), Chevrolet Sonic, Nissan Versa Note, Toyota Yaris and others. My personal favorite, the Mazda3, can get a little pricier when you match amenities with Rio EX, but is also worth considering.
If you buy a 2018 Kia Rio EX five-door, be prepared to defend your purchase to your skeptical car-guy friends. You may have to endure some smirks and laughter at first, but once you give them a walk-around and allow a them a turn behind the wheel, you may notice a change in attitude. If all else fails, ask them to compare car payments, and be ready to laugh your way home.
