2021 Kia Rio 5-door

Overview

The 2021 Kia Rio 5-door is now the only way to get this classy-looking subcompact car, as the four-door sedan variant disappeared after 2020. In fact, the Rio is one of just a handful of subcompacts remaining from mainstream automakers.

What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year

Kia last redesigned the Rio in 2018. For 2021, it gets a subtle styling refresh and a new standard 8.0-inch infotainment display to replace last year’s 7.0-inch screen.

Available Trims

Kia has also cut last year’s base LX MT trim, leaving the better-equipped LX+ MT as the new starting point. From there, there’s the LX+, which trades a six-speed manual for a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT); LX Premium, and EX Premium.

All Rio trims use a 1.6L four-cylinder engine.

Standard Features

Rio LX+ MT comes with 15-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, heated/power-adjustable side mirrors, keyless entry, and tire pressure monitoring.

Inside, LX+ MT gets heated front seats, leather steering wheel trim, air conditioning, the aforementioned 8.0-inch infotainment display, a six-speaker stereo, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, keyless entry, cruise control, a 3.5-inch driver info display, and power windows.

The LX+ package’s sole additions are the automatic transmission and a drive mode selector.

LX Premium gets 15-inch alloy wheels, projection headlights, LED daytime running lights, a sunroof, a heated steering wheel, a 4.2-inch driver info display, and blind spot monitoring.

Finally, EX Premium adds the Rio’s full suite of driver safety assists, which comprises forward collision warning with automatic braking, lane keep assist, automatic high beams, and lane follow assist. Outside, EX Premium gets trim-specific wheels, rain-sensing wipers, side-mirror turn signal repeaters, and chrome door handles and grille trim. This package also kits out the cabin with tilt-and-telescopic steering, a leather-trimmed shifter, high-gloss dash trim, automatic A/C, satellite radio, passive keyless entry, and UVO connected car services.

Fuel Economy

Kia’s fuel consumption estimates for the Rio are 7.7/6.1 L/100 km (city/highway) with the six-speed manual transmission, and 7.2/6.0 L/100 km with the CVT.

Competition

The Kia Rio’s subcompact competition is pretty sparse. There’s the Nissan Versa (which only comes as a sedan), the Mitsubishi Mirage, and the Chevrolet Spark.