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1955 Ford Crown Victoria2021 Kia Rio: Standout Subcompact
The 2021 Kia Rio is one of the last subcompacts on the market, Is the Rio a good buy? We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and more.
What’s New for the 2021 Rio?
The 2021 Kia Rio carries on with some mild styling tweaks to keep it looking fresh. Power throughout the lineup is provided by an efficient 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine connected to a smooth CVT transmission. Inside, the Rio benefits from standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the added benefit of being wireless! A standard 8-inch touchscreen makes access a breeze.
Kia offers the Rio in both a sedan and hatchback, with the sedan costing a little less while the hatch offers a little additional cargo space. Kia is also offering a desirable Technology Package that bundles features like lane-keeping, automatic high beams, automatic climate control, LED headlights, and more.
2021 Kia Rio – netcarshow.com | Shop 2021 Kia Rio on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Standard Apple and Android Connectivity
Sharp styling
Warranty is hard to beat
Cramped rear seats
Low on power
Have to spend more to get safety equipment
One of the few subcompact options left, fortunately it’s a good one!
2021 Rio Specs
- 120 horsepower from base engine
- 112 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 3 available trims
- 13.7 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 32.8 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Optional Drive Wise technology package
- Standard Apple and Android connectivity
- 10-year/100,000-mile warranty
2021 Kia Rio Powertrain
When it comes to the powertrain, the 2021 Kia Rio keeps things simple with a single option. All 2021 Rios are powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 120 horsepower and 112 lb-ft of torque. The numbers aren’t overwhelming by any means, but it provides reasonable pep while returning excellent fuel economy.
The power is sent to the front wheels through Kia’s iVT automatic transmission. This continuously variable transmission helps make the most of the power by keeping the engine in its powerband while the simulated gears give it a sense of sportiness.
Being an inexpensive car means the Rio features a simple suspension design with a torsion beam at the rear. The result is a comfortable ride with some agility in its responses. When you’re on the road it all comes together to deliver an enjoyable drive, even if it’s not especially fast or sporty.
2021 Kia Rio Fuel Economy & MPG
What the 2021 Rio does deliver on is fuel economy. It’s small engine and efficient transmission help it achieve an impressive 33 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway. The combined rating of 36 mpg means the Rio needs to be filled up less often. To top it off, the Rio gets better fuel economy than competitors like the Nissan Versa and the Chevrolet Spark. You can read more about the Nissan Versa here.
If you really need better fuel economy, you’ll have to look to the Mitsubishi Mirage which has an even smaller engine with less power. The Hyundai Accent, a car that shares mechanicals with the Rio, matches the fuel economy and you can learn more about these two cars here.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
There’s no mistaking the Rio for a large car, but the interior space is ample and well thought out. The driver and front passenger have 38.9 inches of headroom and just over 42 inches of legroom. The driver’s seat is adjustable six ways so you’ll be able to get situated just so. The rear passengers will be a little more cramped with 37.4 inches of headroom and 33.5 inches of leg room. With two rows of seats, the Rio can seat five, but it’ll be a tight fit for those in the back.
Kia also offers the Rio in a 5-door hatchback which provides a little more headroom for rear passengers and the expand the cargo capacity behind the back seats from 13.7 cubic feet to a more useful 17.4 cubic feet. In both the sedan and the hatchback, the rear seats offer 60/40 split folding to help accommodate larger items when needed. The seats are covered in an attractive cloth and the available automatic climate control system keeps the cabin at the desired temperature.
Entertainment & Technology
When it comes to the entertainment and technology offered in the 2021 Kia Rio, probably the biggest highlight is the standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are features that some premium auto makers still make you pay extra for, and in the Rio it’s also wireless so you don’t need to fiddle with a cord to connect your device. Once connected, you can easily access your phone’s apps for media or navigation.
The Rio also comes with a standard 8-inch display and can be upgraded to include Kia’s UVO Telematics and even satellite radio. The technology package, which is available on S models, adds beneficial features like LED headlights, a Smart Key, and Drive Wise safety features.
Safety Features
Speaking of safety features, the 2021 Rio comes equipped with advanced front airbags and full-length side curtain airbags to provide protection in the event of a collision. Standard anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control help in emergency maneuvers. The standard tire-pressure monitoring system lets you know if one of your tires needs to be filled up.
If you opt for the technology package you also get the Drive Wise suite of safety features that includes Forward Collision Avoidance with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, and Lane Departure Warning.
2021 Kia Rio Trims & Pricing
LX – $17,075
The LX Sedan is the entry point to the Rio range and starts at $17,045. This gets you the standard 1.6-liter engine, iVT automatic transmission, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The LX comes equipped with 15-inch steels wheels with wheel covers, an 8-inch touchscreen display, a tilt steering wheel, power windows and locks, and air conditioning.
S – $17,685
The S model is a desirable upgrade and costs $17,685 for the sedan while the 5-door hatchback costs $17,985 and only comes in the S trim. The S trims gets a center armrest, cruise control, and remote keyless entry. The S trim is also available with the technology package which adds safety features including forward collision avoidance, lane keeping assist, lane following assist, lane departure warning, and a driver attention warning. We’ve put together an explanation of MSRP and dealer markups to help you at the dealership.
Warranties
Kia offers one of the best warranties in the industry so the Rio benefits from a 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty, a 5-year/60,000 basic warranty, a 5-year/100,000 anti-perforation warranty, and a 5-year/60,000 mile roadside assistance plan. This means you should have peace of mind while you own your 2021 Kia Rio that any major issues will be covered for a good chunk of time. If you want to learn about the best commuter cars, check out our review here.
What we think
2021 Kia Rio – netcarshow.com | Shop 2021 Kia Rio on Carsforsale.com
There are not a lot of options in the subcompact market these days, and the 2021 Kia Rio is one of the standouts. No, it doesn’t have the best performance or snazziest interior. What it does offer is a modest entry price into a well-equipped and efficient automobile, making it ideal for a new driver, a student, or someone simply looking to maximize their budget. Our recommendation would the S trim in the 5-door hatchback. The S trim isn’t much more expensive than the LX trim and gets you some nice upgrades and the 5-door provides a bit of extra passenger and cargo space. The technology package is also a worthwhile option for the extra safety tech.
