2013 Kia Rio

Sedan · 2010–2023 · Rio, Rio 5-Door

2012–2017 Kia Rio — 2012–2017 pictured. Photo: Navigator84, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which year to buy

Best betNo standoutNo year is clearly better than the rest Newest we'd buy2023The latest year rated a good buy AvoidNoneNo year stands out as bad Be careful2015More problems; check the recalls were done

usual

’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23

Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.

2013GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual Extended coverage

133 serious complaints of 153, the most about engine (53) and air bags (34); per car on the road, 1.0× this model's usual year. 1 recall. NHTSA investigation EA21003: engine fires.

What owners report

“The contact owns a 2013 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Dec 2023

“The contact owns a 2013 Kia Rio. The contact stated when he started the vehicle, he noticed that the air bag warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the air bag sensor on the driver’s side needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, Sep 2022

Fixes and extended coverage

Extended coverage WARRANTY EXTENSION - NOTICE TO DEALER PRINCIPALS - This document is notice to the dealer principals of the warranty extension on the driver's front airbag clock spring assembly on 2012-2013 MY Rio and 2014-2015 MY Forte and Forte Koup vehicles to fifteen (15) years with unlimited mileage, starting… (WTY017, Oct 2020)
Extended coverage TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CLOCKSPRING REPLACEMENT FOR AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON Ã¢ÂÂ DTC B1346/B1481 - This bulletin provides information related to the replacement of the driverÃ¢ÂÂs airbag clock spring assembly on some 2012-2013MY Rio (UB) and 2014-2015MY Forte/Koup (YD) associated with the… (TSB ELE218, Dec 2020)
Repair program VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign, as a preventive measure, to apply anti-corrosion material to the underbody components of certain 2017-2018 MY Forte vehicles… (SC264, May 2023)

From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.

153 owner complaints · 1 recall (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 31–32 mpg · NHTSA: 4 of 5 stars · 2013 trims and features

Every Rio year's verdict →

Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.

Trims and features

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Rio Rio 5-Door

What changed for 2013

Starting prices: +$200 (3 trims; hover for each)

2013 Rio trims

	EX	LX	SX
Price
Starting MSRP	$16,500	from $13,600	$17,700
Powertrain
Engine	1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection	1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection	1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection
Horsepower	138 hp	138 hp	138 hp
Torque	123 lb-ft	123 lb-ft	123 lb-ft
Transmission	Electronically Controlled Automatic with Overdrive	6-Speed Automatic: Electronically Controlled Automatic with Overdrive 6-Speed Manual: 6-speed manual	Electronically Controlled Automatic with Overdrive
Gears	6	6	6
Drivetrain	Standard / Eco Package	6-Speed Automatic / 6-Speed Manual	—
Size and capability
Seats	5	5	5
Trunk	13.7 cu ft	13.7 cu ft	13.7 cu ft
Ground clearance	5.5 in	5.5 in	5.5 in
Length	171.9 in	171.9 in	171.9 in
Curb weight	2,480 lb	6-Speed Automatic: 2,480 lb 6-Speed Manual: 2,410 lb	2,480 lb
Tech
Touchscreen	Optional	—	4.3 in
Apple CarPlay	—	—	Optional
Android Auto	—	—	Optional
Speakers	6	4	6
Comfort
Seats	Cloth	Cloth	Cloth + option
Heated seats	—	—	Optional
Exterior
Sunroof	—	—	Optional
Wheels	15 in + option	15 in	17 in

Packages and options (26)

	EX	LX	SX
EX Convenience Package $1,150	Optional	—	—
LX Power Package $1,000	—	Optional	—
SX Premium Package $2,350	—	—	Optional
EX Eco Package $400	Optional	—	—
Rear Bumper Appliqué $75	Optional	Optional	Optional
Rear Spoiler $325	Optional	Optional	Optional
Wheel Locks $55	Optional	—	Optional
Cargo Mat $95	Optional	Optional	Optional
Cargo Net $50	Optional	Optional	Optional
Cargo Tray $80	Optional	Optional	Optional
Carpet Floor Mat $115	Optional	Optional	Optional
Auto-Dimming Rear-View Mirror with Compass and HomeLink $350	Optional	Optional	Optional
iPod Cable $29	—	—	Optional
Aurora Black	Optional	Optional	Optional
Bright Silver	Optional	Optional	Optional
Chestnut	Optional	—	—
Clear White	Optional	Optional	Optional
Midnight Sapphire	Optional	—	Optional
Platinum Graphite	Optional	—	—
Signal Red	Optional	Optional	Optional
Silverstone Beige	Optional	—	—
Beige Cloth	—	Optional	—
Beige Premium Cloth	Optional	—	—
Black Cloth	—	Optional	—
Black Leather	—	—	Optional
Black Premium Cloth	Optional	—	Optional

Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Oem brochure, Nhtsa vin decode, Other. Still partial for this year: model, trims, powertrain, fuel economy, chassis, dimensions, exterior, interior, infotainment, safety, warranty, options, option rules, vin decode. "Optional" means a package or option adds it; hover for which.

Year by year

Year	Engines	Drive	Fuel economy	Crash rating	Recalls	Owner complaints	Most-reported problem	CarPlay
2023	1.6L 4-cyl, 120 hp	FWD	36 mpg	Not rated	0	12	Unknown or other (5)	Yes
2022	1.6L 4-cyl, 120 hp	FWD	36 mpg	Not rated	1	11	Unknown or other (3)	Yes
2021	1.6L 4-cyl, 120 hp	FWD	36 mpg	Not rated	2	15	Unknown or other (6)	Yes
2020	1.6L 4-cyl, 113–130 hp	FWD	36 mpg	Not rated	1	27	Unknown or other (8)	Yes
2019	1.6L 4-cyl, 130–138 hp manual available	FWD	32 mpg	Not rated	1	21	Unknown or other (8)	Yes
2018	1.6L 4-cyl, 130–138 hp manual available	FWD	32 mpg	Not rated	1	28	Engine (15)	Yes
2017	1.6L 4-cyl, 138 hp manual available	FWD	30–31 mpg	4 of 5	2	31	Engine (11)	No
2016	1.6L 4-cyl, 138 hp manual available	FWD	30–31 mpg	4 of 5	2	77	Engine (38)	No
2015	1.6L 4-cyl manual available	FWD	30–31 mpg	4 of 5	1	52	Engine (23)	No
2014	1.6L 4-cyl manual available	FWD	30–31 mpg	4 of 5	1	52	Engine (24)	No
2013	1.6L 4-cyl manual available	FWD	31–32 mpg	4 of 5	1	153	Engine (53)	No
2012	1.6L 4-cyl manual available	FWD	31–32 mpg	4 of 5	1	54	Engine (24)	No
2011	1.6L 4-cyl manual available	FWD	30 mpg	Not rated	0	24	Engine (7)	No
2010	1.6L 4-cyl manual available	FWD	30–31 mpg	Not rated	0	26	Air bags (12)	No

Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.

Which years have…

Wireless Apple CarPlay Wireless Android Auto Apple CarPlay (wired or wireless)Lane centering Heated front seats Leather seats Sunroof or moonroof

Apple lists CarPlay for: Rio 2018–2023 (Apple).

Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints

Year	Version	Stars	Forward collision warning	Lane departure warning	Recalls	Complaints
2023	Kia Rio 5 HB FWD	Not Rated	Optional	Optional	0	12
2023	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	Not Rated	Optional	Optional	0	12
2022	Kia Rio 5 HB FWD	Not Rated	No	Standard	1	11
2022	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	Not Rated	No	Standard	1	11
2021	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	Not Rated	No	No	2	15
2021	Kia Rio 5 4 DR FWD	Not Rated	No	No	2	15
2020	Kia Rio 5 HB FWD	Not Rated	Optional	No	1	27
2020	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	Not Rated	Optional	No	1	27
2019	Kia Rio 5 HB FWD	Not Rated	Optional	No	0	0
2019	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	Not Rated	Optional	No	1	21
2018	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	Not Rated	No	Optional	1	28
2018	Kia Rio 5 HB FWD	Not Rated	No	Optional	0	1
2017	Kia Rio 5 HB FWD	4	No	No	2	31
2017	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	4	No	No	2	31
2016	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	4	No	No	2	77
2016	Kia Rio 5 HB FWD	4	No	No	2	77
2015	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	4	No	No	1	52
2015	Kia Rio 5 HB FWD	4	No	No	1	52
2014	Kia Rio 5 HB FWD	4	No	No	1	52
2014	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	4	No	No	1	52
2013	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	4	No	No	1	153
2013	Kia Rio 5 HB FWD	4	No	No	1	153
2012	Kia Rio 5 HB FWD	4	No	No	1	54
2012	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	4	No	No	1	54
2011	Kia Rio SW FWD	Not Rated	No	No	0	24
2011	Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	Not Rated	No	No	0	24
2010	Kia Rio 4-DR. w/SAB	Not Rated	No	No	0	26
2010	Kia Rio 5-DR. w/SAB	Not Rated	No	No	0	26

Source: NHTSA.

Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg

Year	EPA model	Engines	Combined
2023	Rio	Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 1.6 L	36
2022	Rio	Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 1.6 L	36
2021	Rio	Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 1.6 L	36
2020	Rio	Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.6 L	36
2019	Rio	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L	32
2018	Rio	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L	32
2017	Rio	Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L	30–31
2017	Rio Eco	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L	31
2016	Rio	Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L	30–31
2016	Rio Eco	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L	31
2015	Rio	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L	30
2015	Rio Eco	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L	31
2014	Rio	Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L	30
2014	Rio Eco	Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L	31
2013	Rio	Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L	31–32
2013	Rio Eco	Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L	32
2012	Rio	Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L	31–32
2011	Rio	Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L	30
2010	Rio	Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L	30–31

Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare with another vehicle