2022 Kia Rio LX: Every year, the extra-small sedan segment gets a little bit smaller, with automakers dropping subcompact vehicles. The Kia Rio, however, just keeps soldiering on. The 2022 Kia Rio is unchanged from the previous model year, sticking with the same virtues: a low price, small dimensions and a long warranty. Fuel economy is impressive too, as you’d probably expect of such a small car. The EPA estimates that the Rio will return 36 mpg combined, but we easily beat that number during Edmunds’ testing.
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2022 Kia Rio LX Price
MSRP range: $16,450 – $17,090
There are a few drawbacks to consider if you’re looking at the Rio. Even among extra-small sedans, the Rio is low on cargo space. A telescoping steering wheel isn’t available, and the standard seating position is a bit high so some drivers will have a hard time getting comfortable. We’d also skip the base trim level given its meager level of equipment.
Since there are so few extra-small sedans left, the list of rivals isn’t long, but it includes vehicles such as the Nissan Versa and the Rio’s cousin, the Hyundai Accent. If you’re on a budget, you might also be interested in extra-small SUVs like the Kia Soul or the Hyundai Kona. For more information about the Rio and how it stacks up in every category from comfort to tech, check out the Edmunds’ Expert Rating below.
2022 Kia Rio Sedan Features & Specs
- Total MSRP
- $17,505
- MPG & Fuel
- 33 City / 41 Hwy / 36 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 11.9 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: Front Wheel Drive
- Transmission: Continuously variable-speed automatic
- Engine
- Inline 4 cylinder
- Horsepower: 120 hp @ 6300 rpm
- Torque: 112 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
- Basic Warranty
- 5 yr./ 60000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 172.6 in. / Height: 57.1 in.
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 67.9 in.
- Curb Weight: 2767 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 13.7 cu.ft.
Which Rio does recommend?
Kia Rio models
The 2022 Kia Rio can be equipped as a four-door sedan or a hatchback, which Kia calls the 5-Door. The sedan is available in two trim levels: the base LX and the S. The 5-Door is only sold in S trim. All Rios are powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (120 horsepower, 112 lb-ft of torque) mated to a continuously variable transmission. All Rios are front-wheel-drive.
LX
The standard Rio keeps costs low but includes these necessities as standard:
- Heated exterior mirrors
- 15-inch steel wheels
- Tilt-adjustable steering wheel
- 3.5-inch driver information display
- 8-inch center touchscreen
- Air conditioning
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
- Front USB port
- Cloth seats
- Height-adjustable driver’s seat
- Four-speaker stereo system
S
A more fully equipped model comes with:
- Remote keyless entry
- Cruise control
- Sliding center armrest
- Rear USB port
- 60/40-split folding rear seat
S Technology package
This jam-packed collection of optional features for the S trim drastically increases available technology and safety equipment with:
- LED headlights
- 15-inch alloy wheels
- Push-button start
- 4.2-inch driver information display
- Automatic climate control
- Upgraded stereo system
- Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
- Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
- Lane keeping assist (steers the Rio back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
- Lane following assist (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
- Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)
