Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2014GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual
48 serious complaints of 52, the most about engine (24) and brakes (7); per car on the road, 1.1× this model's usual year. 1 recall. NHTSA investigation EA21003: engine fires.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2014 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 check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Mar 2024
“The contact owns a 2014 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 check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the brakes, Mar 2024
Fixes and extended coverage
- 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.
52 owner complaints · 1 recall (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 30–31 mpg · NHTSA: 4 of 5 stars · 2014 trims and features
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
What changed for 2014
- Starting prices: +$200 to +$300 (2 trims; hover for each)
- Curb weight: 2,480 lb → 2,573 lb (all trims)
- Speakers: 6 → 4 (SX, EX)
2014 Rio trims
| EX | LX | SX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
| Starting MSRP | $16,800 | — | $17,900 |
| 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 | Sportmatic | 6-Speed Automatic: Sportmatic 6-Speed Manual: — | Sportmatic |
| 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 | 2,573 lb | 6-Speed Automatic: 2,573 lb 6-Speed Manual: 2,494 lb | 2,573 lb |
| Tech | |||
| Touchscreen | Standard: — Eco Package: 4.3 in | — | 4.3 in |
| Apple CarPlay | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Android Auto | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Speakers | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Comfort | |||
| Seats | Cloth | Cloth | Cloth + option |
| Heated seats | — | — | Optional |
| Exterior | |||
| Sunroof | — | — | Optional |
| Wheels | 15 in + option | 15 in | 17 in |
Packages and options (18)
| EX | LX | SX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EX Convenience Package | Optional | — | — |
| LX Power Package | — | Optional | — |
| SX Premium Package | — | — | Optional |
| EX Eco Package | Optional | — | — |
| Bluetooth Wireless Technology | Standard | Optional | Standard |
| 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. 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…
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.