When you think of the cheapest cars, you usually don’t expect them to be the best in their class. The 2023 kia Rio fights that stereotype by being US News’ best subcompact car for the money. Fuel-efficient subcompact cars are becoming scarce as the standard family car crossover market grows. In most cases, what sets a budget car apart is its competitive long-term cost of ownership. However with the Kia Rio being like a budget car doesn’t mean you have to give up standard amenities.
How reliable is the Rio?
The 2023 Kia Rio is a continuation of the fourth generation Rio. There are no updates for the 2023 model year, other than adding an oil level sensor to warn the driver of low oil levels. At its core, the Rio is a good car at an even better price. You can get the Rio in a four-door sedan or as a hatchback. The Rio is powered by a 120 horsepower four-cylinder running through a continuously variable transmission. The low power and CVT provide an economical ride that your novice driver can rely on.
With its energy-efficient engine and basic amenities, the Kia Rio 2023 scores well in terms of reliability. According to JD power, the Rio 2023 gets a score of 86 out of 100 for quality and reliability. Compared to the previous models, this rating is what you expect from the Rio. Many of the Kia Rio competitors, such as the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris, have been replaced by larger, more expensive crossovers. With so little competition, the Kia Rio stands out even more.
Does the Rio have Apple Car Play?
With simplicity in mind, the Rio 2023 gives you all the basics and nothing more. A sleek-looking dash with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen and climate control satisfies the standard commuter. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on the Rio, allowing for ease of use with any smartphone. Lots of hard plastic dotted around the interior, but it has a decent texture to add sophistication to the inside.
The interior space for the Rio 2023 is solid for the front passengers, but the rear passengers have very little room to adjust. In terms of load space, even the hatchback suffers, as the seats don’t fold completely flat. There’s still plenty of room to store things in the center console and door pockets, but we wouldn’t try to move in the Rio.
How much should you pay for a 2023 Kia Rio?
Value Kia Rio really shines is the price. One of the cheapest new cars on the market, the Rio LX starts at $17,875. For under $1000 you can upgrade to the Rio S starting at $18,515. The S model adds the center armrest, cruise control, folding rear seat, rear USB output and keyless entry. Model S cars also have more options, including LED headlights and collision warning with emergency braking function.
Is the 2023 Kia Rio worth it?
All in all, the Kia Rio is the number one new subcompact car. Not only American news recommend, but many others put it at the top of the list. The current competition from Nissan Versa and Mitsubishi Mirage are slightly cheaper but offer less quality and features. Given the Rio’s price and standard features, it’s hard to go wrong when choosing a budget-friendly new car.