Her Name is Rio, and She’s All-New. How Does The 2018 Kia Rio Stack Up? [Video]

Meet the fourth generation Kia Rio – all new for 2018.

Following a recent press briefing, Roman Mica explores the 2018 Kia Rio. Kia has freshened up this car for the new model year to take on its B-segment competitors. Available as a sedan or hatchback with prices ranging from $14,000 to about $20,000, it is well-priced against the likes of the Honda Fit and the Fiesta. With a frugal 1.6-liter engine delivering 32 combined MPG, it offers a budget-friendly companion for first-time drivers or small families. But apart from its value, how does the Rio stack up? More importantly, can a 6’9″ man still fit comfortably inside Kia’s smallest car? Check out the video for the answer.

2018 Kia Rio
2018 Kia Rio, interior [Photo: Kia America Newsroom]

Redesigned to appeal to a wide range of customers.

Kia has bestowed the Rio with updates inside and out for 2018. In addition to aesthetic updates, the new generation Rio is a slightly longer, wider and lower than before. The extra size and added features come at the expense of performance. Over 100 pounds of extra bulk and eight fewer horsepower (130 horsepower, 119 lb-ft. torque) pushes the 0-60 time to over ten seconds. Despite the new Rio’s slower pace, Kia claims the body is 30% more rigid than the previous model, so while it’s slower, it’s also more agile. The car won’t win any speed awards, but it’s fast enough for most traffic. Nevertheless, it’s meant to be driven more as an economy car than as a performance machine.

Inside, Kia’s given the Rio some new instrument cluster features and a new infotainment stack. Seats are low to accommodate taller drivers (as the video demonstrates), but lack lumbar support. The added dimensions mean the Rio seats four people in reasonable comfort. Overall, while Kia expects more people to opt for the sedan, either model promises a great all-around car that will appeal to a wide audience. If you’re looking for a new small car, expect the 2018 Kia Rio to go on sale before the end of the year.

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