2023 Kia Rio5 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The Kia Rio5 is a functional, modern, affordable subcompact hatchback. It rolls over into the 2023 model year largely unchanged.

The 2023 Kia Rio5 is a subcompact hatchback that is functional, modern, and economically minded. It comes with modern infotainment features and is available with the latest driver-assistance features. The nimble hatchback provides a helpful 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. With the rear seats in use, it still provides 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space. For 2023, the Kia Rio5 is largely unchanged compared to its counterparts from previous model years.

Unlike the sedan version of the Kia Rio, which is available in the LX and S trims, the hatchback Rio5 is only offered in the higher-grade S trim. The list of standard features is not extensive, but the items on it go a long way. They include cloth upholstery, cruise control, remote keyless entry, and an 8-inch touchscreen running the UVO infotainment system, which is easy to use and has a logical menu layout. The Rio5’s touchscreen also comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto.

The Rio is available with the S Technology Package, which adds 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, a 4.2-inch instrument panel digital screen, chrome door handles, rear disc brakes, LED headlights, and smart key with push-button start. This package also adds a number of driver-assistance features, which we’ll discuss below.

The 2023 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 via a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The 2023 Rio5 returns fuel economy of 32 mpg city, 41 highway, and 36 combined. This is an economical powertrain, and the focus is on efficiency over power. Try to lay into the throttle while getting up to highway speeds, and you’ll get more engine noise than acceleration.

The Rio is available with Kia’s Drive Wise suite of modern safety tech (as part of the S Technology Package). This includes forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, rear-seat occupant alert, and a driver-attention monitoring system. The Rio5 is also available with a tire-pressure monitoring system as part of that same Technology Package.

Base MSRP for the 2023 Kia Rio5 is $17,490. The S Technology Package adds $1,800 to that price. The 2023 Kia Rio5 is backed by a generous 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.