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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2013 Kia Rio

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Overview

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2013 Kia Rio Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

KBB Expert Rating: 6.6

Among the more well-established subcompacts like the Honda Fit, Ford Fiesta and Hyundai Accent comes another contender: the 2013 Kia Rio sedan and Rio 5 hatchback. All new last year, the Rio takes subcompact styling and content to new levels. The Rio's exterior looks sturdy and aggressive while its interior is filled with features normally reserved for larger, more expensive cars. With an eye toward economy, Kia equips the 5-passenger Rio with a fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engine that uses the latest in fuel-injection technology. The Rio is rated to attain up to 37 mpg yet still delivers fairly quick acceleration.

You'll Like This Car If...

Kia's Rio for 2013 delivers a lot of goods for very little money. If value and fuel economy are as important as style and substance, the 2013 Kia Rio is sure to please. And, is doesn't hurt that the Rio has the most horsepower and best warranty in its class.

You May Not Like This Car If...

When it comes to interior cabin space, the 2013 Kia Rio takes a back seat to cars like the Honda Fit and Nissan Versa.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

6.6
Driving Dynamics

5.4
Comfort & Convenience

6.6
Design: Interior & Exterior

6.7
Value

7.4
Safety

N/A

How It Ranks

#3

out of 3

MPG

#1

out of 3

Horsepower

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Consumer Rating

7.2 out of 10

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consumer ratings

What's New for 2013

For 2013, Kia offers its Idle Stop and Go (ISG) technology as part of the Rio EX's Eco package. ISG automatically shuts down the engine when stopped and then restarts it once the gas pedal is depressed. Also new are steering-wheel paddle shifters on the Rio SX.

Driving the Rio

Driving Impressions The lion's share of our time in the 2013 Kia Rio was spent stretching its legs on long highway expanses. We were impressed not only by the Rio's stable ride,...

quiet cabin and direct steering, but by the willingness of its little 1.6-liter engine. With 134 horsepower on tap, the eager 4-cylinder provided more than enough power for passing slower trucks, although most of the power can be felt in the higher-rpm range. Kia says it benchmarked Ford's Fiesta when tuning the Rio's suspension. While we found the Rio to be agile and confident in the turns, we wouldn't equate it to the same athletic feel as the Ford Fiesta or Mazda Mazda2. As for comfort, we found the Rio's seats to be fairly supportive, and only minimal road noise could be detected inside the cabin.

Favorite Features

IDLE STOP AND GO (ISG) TECHNOLOGY
It's a little disconcerting at first but, once we got used to the sound of the car starting after every stop, we took comfort in the added fuel savings that the feature entails.

ONBOARD NAVIGATION
Factory navigation systems are uncommon at this price point and we like that the Kia Rio blazes the trail by offering this feature.

2013 Kia Rio Details

2013 Kia Rio Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

Aesthetics aside, what really sets the 2013 Kia Rio apart from the competition is its impressive list of standard and available features. The Rio incorporates a 3-cylinder instrument panel and wraparound dash design that is simple and user-friendly. Some of the more notable available features include Bluetooth, a 7-inch navigation system with a rearview camera, push-button start, a UVO ("your voice" in Kia-speak) voice-activated infotainment system and leather seating surfaces.

Exterior

Our time with the 2013 Kia Rio was limited to the 5-door variant, which shares the same features and mechanical details with its 4-door sibling. Kia's design engineers wedged the Rio's edges, sloped its shoulder lines and sculpted a look using design elements from its Optima and Sportage brethren. For 2013, the Rio incorporates Kia's signature grille flanked by slanted headlights and a large air dam. The base Rio sits on 15-inch steel wheel or alloys, but stepping to the up-level SX brings more stylish 17-inch alloys. All things said, it looks like the product of some serious Optima and Sportage canoodling.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2013 Kia Rio LX comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission (a 6-speed automatic is available), air conditioning, a radio with auxiliary/USB input, steering-wheel audio controls and four speakers and that's about it. Power windows and door locks are optional. Stepping up to the EX and SX trims includes the power accessories and adds many other features: cruise control, UVO audio and rearview camera, AM/FM/CD/MP3/SiriusXM audio, Bluetooth, power door locks, power windows and other visual and convenience upgrades to the interior and exterior.

Optional Equipment

Options for the 2013 Kia Rio come in the forms of packages. For example, notable features in the SX Premium Package include push-button start with Smart Key, a navigation system, leather seating surfaces, heated front seats and a moonroof. The EX Convenience Package adds 15-inch alloy wheels, power folding side mirrors, fog lights, rearview camera and the UVO infotainment system. The ECO package includes the ISG (Idle Stop and Go) technology and Active ECO system for optimal fuel-efficient driving.

Under the Hood

Regardless of trim, motivation for the 2013 Kia Rio comes from a 138-horsepower, 1.6-liter direct-injected 4-cylinder engine mated to either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. Bolstering fuel savings on Rio models with an automatic transmission is the optional Eco package that includes ISG technology. The acronym stands for "Idle Stop and Go," which is a fuel-saving system that turns off the engine when the car is stopped and seamlessly turns it on again when the brake pedal is released. This eco-smart mechanism is good for approximately one more mpg across the board, according to Kia.

1.6-liter inline-4
138 horsepower @ 6,300 rpm
123 lb-ft of torque @ 4,850 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 29/37 (manual), 28/36 (automatic), 30/36 (automatic with Eco package)

Pricing Notes

The 2013 Kia Rio LX sedan has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) just under $14,500, while the 5-door LX starts a few hundred dollars more. The Rio EX sedan starts around $17,250 and the top-trim SX sells for just a tad over $18,500. The ECO package tacks on $400. Check out the KBB Fair Purchase Price for current real-world pricing of the Kia Rio in your area. As for resale value, we expect the 2013 Kia Rio will retain residuals on par with those of the Ford Fiesta, Toyota Yaris and Hyundai Accent, but not as well as those of the Honda Fit.

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2013 Kia Rio Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

7.2

Out of 10

Based on 13 Ratings for the 2012 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

7.7/10

Quality

7.2/10
Reliability

8.0/10

Performance

7.1/10
Comfort

7.2/10

Styling

8.0/10

My First Small Auto @ 64

By rugrat (OH) on Saturday, February 23, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 12,500

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Everything"

Cons: "I haven't found one yet"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I'm 64, newly widowed (08/28/2011) when I traded a paid for 2011 Ford Tranist XL w/ all opts on 11/2011 for my 2012 Kia Rio SX Hatchback! People thought I was nuts, but yes the other was paid for but to big for just me & it was a consitant reminder of my soulmate of 44 yrs now gone. I wasn't looking to really trade, but when I saw the Kia Rio just liked its look right away, then I sat in the seat, AWWW - started it up & drove it - WOW! It handles like a dream even on ice and snow! Easy to park and fun to drive! The stero / CD / Bluetooth / MP3 & USB plug - great easy to use while driving! Stering wheel has all controls for operating accessories, including hands free dailing & talking. I am not a skinny woman & the RioSX's seats are ROOMY and COMFORTABLE!! This is a great car and I can fold the passenger & back seats down and have a TON of room (even when I buy lumber)for some major shopping & not counting my grandchildren love it too! They've told me it is a "FUN COOL" car, not an "OLD FOLKS" car! The MPG is not bad at all either! I will defintely buy another!"

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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All around great for a first time car buyer!

By Melissa (NC) on Saturday, February 23, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 13,300

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Fun to Drive, Sporty, Convenient, and Comfy."

Cons: "Cheap Speakers and No Vanity Lights."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This vehicle was my first new car purchase. I have owned the vehicle for approximately 10 months now. I love the convenience of the hatchback v.s. a sedan, allowing for the extra cargo room. The exterior is sporty, but doesn't have the added insurance price! Very maneuverable in tight circumstances. A comfortable ride to and from work. I average 34 MPG with an overall commute of 35 miles/day. With a somewhat active lifestyle, I can easily attach bike racks and luggage carriers. Only negative I have is the standard, low quality, stereo speakers. And the fact that the new Kumho tires it came with, are bad to pick up small rocks and stones. But after some wear and tear on the tires that seems to have gotten better and less rocks are being thrown!"

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