The 2020 Kia Rio is an exceptionally safe sedan ideal for daily driving. It features simplistic yet contemporary design, comfortable handling, superb fuel-efficiency, and reasonable practicality. Moreover, the new Rio makes the perfect car for an entry-level subcompact sedan amongst first time drivers, thanks to its amicable driving manners and fuel-efficient engine.
1. Excellent Performance
The new Rio is more suited to optimizing gas mileage figures than prioritizing high top speeds and straight-line acceleration, but, that said, the car is fitted with a new, efficiency-minded CVT gearbox and a new 1.6-liter engine delivering 120 hp and 112 lb-ft torque. While the new engine capacity is ten horsepower less than the 2019 Rio’s models, its performance is still in line with competitors, losing no significant points against the rest of the pack.
Rio’s performance figures are very acceptable given that it’s suited to thrive within city confines and save you money at the pump. Pulling away from the traffic is a simple task, and accelerating from 0-60 feels satisfying.
2. Economical Gas Mileage
The new CVT auto managing drive is paired with the front wheels, significantly improving Rio’s gas mileage figures. The engine returns EPA estimates of 28 mpg in the city, 37 mpg in the highway, and 32 mpg for city and highway combined. That’s a little more impressive than even the Toyota Yaris, which only returns 32/40/35 mpg for city/highway/combined.
Just to put the gas mileage figures into perspective, with the Rio’s 11.9-gallon gas tank filled to the brim, the car can cover around 428 miles in mixed conditions.
3. Storage and Cargo Space
Rio offers 13.7 cubic feet of trunk space, which is the average cargo capacity in the class. While the car may not be the most ideal for bagging all your Black Friday and Christmas shopping, its trunk space is enough to fit about a week’s worth of groceries. Drivers planning to haul items frequently should opt for the Rio S trim, which comes with adjustable rear seats for increased cargo-hauling versatility.
Inside the cabin, the driver and front-seat occupant have access to reasonably sized side pockets for more storage space. Large beverages can fit in the two cup holders positioned behind the shifter.
4. Infotainment System
The Rio comes in three trims, namely the LX sedan, S sedan, and S hatchback. The infotainment system and features vary across the range, with Rio S having more premium pairings. That said, all models have a standard 7.0-inch touchscreen, which pairs with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and USB connectivity. Key features available include automated emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and a rearview camera.
In conclusion, the new Rio is a stylish, efficient, and affordable subcompact sedan. It’s a pleasant companion anywhere in the city, offering a fairly large trunk, spacious seats, and exemplary ride comfort. And as far as back-to-basics budget runabouts go, the new Rio offers the best value for money. Want the best Kia Rio deals around? Visit Crain Kia of Fayetteville and browse through our impressive Kia car collection.
Image via Kia USA
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Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.