Used Kia Rio cars

A compact and cost-effective supermini, the Kia Rio first graced UK roads in 2001. The second generation arrived shortly afterwards in 2005, but it was in 2011 that the model really hit its stride. Since, the Kia Rio continues to prove a popular choice thanks to its lively and efficient drive, strong exterior style and spacious cabin.

Kia Rio updates and facelifts

With the Mk3 came sharp styling, a contemporary cabin and dynamic engine options, making this sprightly hatchback a strong rival to established favourites like the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo. The Mk3 was offered in both three and five-door body styles as well as with petrol and diesel engine options. It received a facelift in 2015, with more standard kit being added and some refreshed interior details.

Two years later the fourth-generation Rio arrived as a five-door model, offering three petrol engine options and a diesel. It won a slew of awards, from Best Value New Car at the 2018 Auto Trader New Car Awards to Best Supermini in the 2020 Auto Express Driver Power survey. Its success undoubtedly helped Kia to become the UK’s best-selling vehicle brand in 2022.

The Mk4 Kia Rio underwent a key update in August 2020. This brought some small styling tweaks, including a slimmer tiger-nose front grille, as well as a new mild hybrid engine option, which combines a 1.0-litre T-GDi petrol engine with a 48V battery. At this point, all models bar the entry-level Rio 1 trim also received an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard.

Special editions include the Pulse, released in 2017, while the GT-Line trim was added to the range in 2018.

Practicality and style of the car

Superminis are all about compact practicality and the Kia Rio is no exception. The Mk3 edition is available in both three and five-door body styles, both of which have plenty of head and legroom for families or even four adults on short journeys. Whether you’re heading off on a day trip with the kids or a shopping trip with friends, the Rio will comfortably accommodate you.

The Mk4 comes as a five-door only, which suits those with young children or adult passengers. Wide-opening doors make access easy and give parents plenty of room to secure toddlers in child seats. ISOFIX mounting points on the outer rear seats ensure they’ll travel safely. If you need to carry five, the Rio will happily oblige, although the middle rear seat is best for children or an adult on shorter journeys.

The Rio impresses on boot space too, with the Mk3 offering 288 cubic litres when the rear seats are in place or 923 litres with them folded down. Choose the Mk4 and you’ll benefit from a capacity of 325 cubic litres – more than either the Ford Fiesta or the Peugeot 208 can offer. Fold the seats down and you get 1,103 litres of space.

Running costs

The Kia Rio is one of the most reasonable cars to insure and run, with the Mk3 occupying insurance groups 1–9 out of 50. Choose a Mk4 and premiums are of a similar price range, with the car sitting between groups 2–10. This is significantly more attractive than the Hyundai i20, which starts in group 12 for insurance.

When it comes to road tax, charges depend on the model year you choose. Many of the pre-April 2017 options cost £20–35 per year. Thereafter, the standard annual charge of £180 applies.

How a used Kia Rio drives

Designed for urban life, the Kia Rio offers responsive handling, good stability and tight body control. It’s more than capable of tackling streets and navigating through traffic, providing an effortless option for new drivers and families.

The Mk3 offers a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines. There’s a 1.25-litre petrol with 83bhp which returns a combined fuel economy of 56.5mpg, and a 1.4-litre petrol with 107bhp, returning 51.4mpg. Both provide sprightly performance around town. The diesels suit those who are on the motorway more frequently. Those looking for maximum efficiency can opt for the 1.1-litre 74bhp unit with its exceptional economy of 88.3mpg and CO2 emissions of just 85g/km. For more power, choose the 1.4-litre 89bhp engine, which returns 70.6mpg.

When the Mk4 edition was launched, there were three petrol engines and two diesel on offer. A 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit offers a choice of two outputs – 99bhp and 118bhp. These have plenty of power, reaching 62mph from a standstill in 10 seconds and 9.8 seconds respectively. They are also paired with six-speed manual transmission, which delivers smooth shifts.

The other option is a 1.2-litre MPI, which is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. This is the most economical of the petrol units, returning up to 60mpg on the combined cycle. The diesels are both 1.4-litre CRDi engines with outputs of 76bhp or 89bhp. Both are impressively efficient, returning 74mpg and 81mpg respectively, but were discontinued when the Rio received an update in 2020.

As part of this same update, a 1.0-litre 48V mild hybrid was introduced to the range. This offers a commendable 200Nm of torque, enabling the Rio to get from 0-62mph in 10.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 118mph. It’s a great option for those looking to balance power with efficiency, as its nippy performance is matched with a combined fuel economy of 52.3mpg. There’s also a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

Engines and official MPG

Please refer to the table below for a comprehensive list of engines and their official MPG figures.

2011 - 2017

Engine	Official NEDC MPG
1.1 CRDi	74.3–85.6 mpg
1.25	56.5 mpg
1.25 Air	56.5 mpg
1.4	51.4–56.5 mpg
1.4 Automatic	44.1–44.8 mpg
1.4 CRDi	70.6–74.3 mpg

Features you can expect in a Kia Rio

Interior

With space for four adults, the Kia Rio is a great urban runaround, but can also accommodate families. Its interior keeps things refreshingly simple, offering a clear, concise layout with controls that are easy to operate. The dash is attractively sculpted, and the surfaces and fabrics are designed to withstand all the rigours of life in the city. There’s lots of storage in the cabin too, with large door bins providing ample space for water bottles, and a glovebox for stowing tablets or smartphones. There’s also a pair of cup holders.

If you’re looking at a Mk3 Rio, you’ll get an MP3-compatible radio and CD player with Bluetooth as standard. There are also USB and Aux ports for connecting devices. Mk4 Rio editions feature a monochrome display and Bluetooth connectivity as standard. Step up to the 2 trim if you want an eight-inch touchscreen system that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 2 trim also offers a USB port for rear passengers.

Technology

Choose a Mk3 Rio and you’ll get air conditioning and daytime running lights as standard. Upgrading to the 3 trim will bring more technology, from automatic air conditioning and rain-sensing wipers to cruise control. Top-spec 4 trims add Keyless Entry, which negates the need for you to find your key fob in your pocket or handbag to unlock the car.

Every Mk4 edition has hill start assist to prevent any backwards roll when you pull away on an incline. All but the entry-level Rio 1 grade are fitted with a reversing camera and rear parking sensors to make manoeuvres easier, as well as cruise control for effortless motorway driving.

Safety

At its last Euro NCAP test in 2017, the Kia Rio scored three stars for safety – but that doesn’t mean it won’t take care of you. In fact, its ratings for adult and child occupant protection were very good at 85% and 84% respectively. Six airbags and stability control come as standard, while Rio 2 trims and above come with the advanced driving assistance pack, which includes autonomous emergency braking and lane departure warning, bringing the Rio’s safety rating up to the full five stars.

Trims available on the Kia Rio

Kia Rio 1

Entry-level Rio 1 trim offers all the essentials for a connected and comfy drive. These include 15-inch steel wheels, black cloth upholstery, air conditioning and a monochrome infotainment display with Bluetooth connectivity.

Kia Rio 2

Choosing the next-level 2 edition brings 15-inch alloy wheels and daytime running lights, with Premium Black Cloth seats and a leather steering wheel inside. Tech features include rear parking sensors, cruise control and an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a reversing camera. You’ll also get the advanced driving assistance pack.

Kia Rio 3

For added luxury, choose the 3 trim. This offers 16-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, rear privacy glass and faux leather upholstery. Heated front seats add comfort in the winter, while sat nav and Kia Connect deliver directions and traffic updates.

Kia Rio GT-Line S

The GT-Line S offers sporty styling features such as 17-inch alloy wheels, ‘ice-cube’ LED headlights, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and carbon-effect interior inserts.

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