Every trim of 2018 Kia Rio will cost less than $19,000
And it starts at just $13,900.
The 2018 Kia Rio is most definitely not the stereotypical penalty box that some cheap cars can be. Sure, some trims can get a little pricey, but none of them will shoulder check your wallet into the boards.
The 2018 Kia Rio will arrive at dealerships in early October. Its starting price is $13,900 for the base LX sedan, and $14,200 for the five-door hatchback. This is the only trim where you can get a six-speed manual, and while standard equipment is on the low end, you do get a 5-inch infotainment system with SiriusXM satellite radio. You'll have to crank your own mirrors down, though.
Cheap cars aren't always good, but this one is.
Move up to the S, and the price rises to $16,100 for the sedan and $16,400 for the hatch. A backup camera is standard on the S, as is Bluetooth, power windows and a USB port for the rear seats.
At the top of the lineup, you have the Rio EX, which will set you back $18,400 for the sedan and $18,700 for the hatch. Once you hit this level, you can get leather seats that really ramp up the fancy. You also get Kia's excellent Uvo infotainment system on a 7-inch screen with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Alloy wheels are along for the ride, too.
After spending a day in the Rio, I walked away impressed. With suspension tuning that leans toward European, it was stiff enough to feel solid without also being uncomfortable. The fat tire sidewalls soak up a good deal of road roughness, and the 1.6-liter, 130-horsepower I4 (the only engine on offer) provides enough power for your average driver, but it doesn't sound buzzy and cheap in the process.
