2023 Kia Rio Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The 2023 Kia Rio is a carry-over model, but it does get a new oil level sensor capable of alerting the driver when oil is low.

The 2023 Kia Rio is one of the most affordable cars on the market today. It is an economically minded subcompact sedan that does not sacrifice modern creature comforts to achieve its low starting price. Its traditional sedan layout provides 13.7 cubic feet of trunk space and seating for up to five, and it’s available with a split-fold rear bench that helps expand that cargo space. The Rio is almost entirely unchanged going into the 2023 model year.

Trims for the 2023 Rio are LX and S. Standard features on the LX trim include 15-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, power heated side mirrors, power door locks, air conditioning, and a six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat. The Rio also comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen. It runs the intuitive UVO infotainment system with helpful wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The S trim adds the split-fold rear bench seat, adjustable rear-seat headrests, a sliding center armrest with storage bin, remote keyless entry, remote trunk release, cruise control with steering-wheel-mounted buttons, and a rear-seat USB charging port.

If you are seeking to fully option out the Kia Rio, the S trim is available with the Technology Package. It adds 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, smart key with push-button start, a 4.2-inch instrument panel display, and upgraded Kia telematics, including smartphone-app connectivity. This phone app allows the driver to remotely lock and unlock the vehicle, set the climate control, and even locate it in a crowded parking lot.

The Kia Rio comes equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine which makes 120 horsepower and 112 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This combination gets the job done but complains while doing it, as the engine makes a lot of noise while accelerating to get up to highway speeds. Fuel economy for the 2023 Kia Rio is 32 mpg city, 41 highway, and 36 combined.

The Kia Rio offers fewer driver-assistance features than most modern cars. You can get features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and driver-attention monitoring, but none of these high-tech safety features are standard equipment. You’ll need to pay more for them.

Base MSRP for the 2023 Kia Rio is $16,550 for the LX trim. The Rio S costs $17,190. The Technology Package adds another $1,800 to the price of the Rio. The 2023 Kia Rio is backed by a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.