2023 Kia Rio

The 2023 Kia Rio is available in two trims: LX and S. The LX trim is only available in a subcompact sedan body style, while the S comes in either the sedan or hatchback. The sedan is about 1 foot longer than the hatchback, but it has a longer roof to give it a sportier appearance. You can also easily load and unload items in the hatchback thanks to a wide hatch opening and low lift-over height. The Rio comes standard with 15-inch steel wheels and heated side mirrors. The S trim includes chrome-finished door handles and LED headlights standard.

You'll find only one engine option under the hood of the 2023 Kia Rio, but it provides plenty of power for this small vehicle. The 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine produces 120 horsepower and 112 pound-feet of torque. It uses a smooth, continuously variable automatic transmission to send power to the front wheels, along with MacPherson struts and a stabilizer bar,

When it comes to gas mileage, the 2023 Kia Rio achieves some of the best numbers compared to other vehicles in its class and other non-hybrid car classes. Expect to get an EPA-estimated 32 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway. Both body types achieve the same estimated numbers. Its front struts and rear torsion-beam setup help the vehicle absorb bumps in the road, and quick steering responses keep it settled on longer highway drives.

Regardless of the body style, the 2023 Kia Rio seats five people. The LX trim includes cloth upholstery and a six-way manually adjustable driver's seat, while the S trim adds automatic climate control. Despite its size, the vehicle also has a solid amount of cargo space behind the rear seats, with 13.7 cubic feet in the sedan and 17.4 cubic feet in the hatchback. The S trim also includes 60/40 split-folding rear seats to expand the space to almost 33 cubic feet. Its user-friendly infotainment system is accessible via an 8-inch touchscreen display that you can easily reach and navigate. It comes standard with Bluetooth, a USB port, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Available upgrades include additional USB ports and satellite radio.

Even though the 2023 Kia Rio only comes standard with a rearview camera, it offers plenty of available safety upgrades via the Technology package found on the S trim. A few of these features include forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, driver attention monitoring, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. You can also add a rear-seat warning, which alerts you to check the rear seat for children or small pets before exiting the vehicle.