Item: Used Kia Rio 2017-present
Rating: 4
Author: What Car? Team

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i20/hatchback/used-review/n957">Hyundai i20</a> is another good-value offering from&nbsp;Korea. Unlike the Rio, this car has a shorter warranty, at five years, but it’s still better than those of most mainstream rivals. You have a similar choice of engines and the i20 is also very well equipped.

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/used-review/n808">Skoda Fabia</a> may not look as posh as a Volkswagen Polo, but all the dashboard controls have the same feeling of quality and its shared infotainment system is one of the best in the class. You also get a wide range of quiet petrol engines and an efficient diesel.

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/used-review/n17425">Volkswagen Polo</a> is the one to beat in terms of overall sophistication and driving dynamics. It isn't the most entertaining car to drive, but the way it balances ride comfort and body control mark it out among its competitors. It will be more expensive to buy, though.

<a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter here</a>

If you're interested in buying a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/kia/rio?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp">used Kia Rio,</a> or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our used car classified site <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">here.</a>&nbsp;

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What is it like?

Ownership cost

Advice for buyers

Our recommendations

Alternatives

<h3>Child door locks</h3>

This generation of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/kia">Kia</a> Rio is still fairly new to the used market, but some early cars were subjected to a recall. That recall relates to child locks on the rear doors that might not work because the release lever cable in some cars isn’t the correct length. Rios built between 10 April 2017 and 5 June 2017 should have had this cable inspected by a Kia dealership and replaced. If you are in any doubt whether your car is affected, contact your local Kia dealership to find out.

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>

Kia&nbsp;as a brand did very well in the&nbsp;most recent What Car? Reliability Survey by finishing in seventh&nbsp;place out of 31 car manufacturers – a far better result than rivals such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/ford">Ford</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/volkswagen">Volkswagen</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/vauxhall">Vauxhall</a>. Kia also has&nbsp;the longest manufacturer's warranty in the industry, and that can also be topped back up to the full seven years again if you buy a Rio that's less than two years old from the Kia approved used programme.&nbsp;

If you'd&nbsp;like to see the full reliability list, head to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2018-what-car-reliability-survey/n17798">What Car? Reliability Survey</a>&nbsp;pages for more information.

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Hatchback

Buyers seeking value for money should have Kia towards the top of their shopping list.

Although once a niche brand in the UK, today Kia outsells many more established brands, helped by its market-leading seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability; in fact, Kia regularly finishes towards the top of our reliability surveys.

There are plenty of models to choose from, too, ranging from the small Picanto city car to the Ceed family hatchback and the Sorento large SUV. The Picanto was the first Kia to win its class at the What Car? Car of the Year awards.

The Kia Rio is a likeable small car and a good used buy. Some of its rivals do things better, though&nbsp;

Used Kia Rio 2017-present

<h3>MPG</h3>

Unless you go for the automatic 1.4 petrol variant (42.2mpg), all models compare reasonably well&nbsp;with rivals in terms of&nbsp;fuel economy.&nbsp;The entry-level 1.25 petrol has an official figure of 45.6mpg under the old NEDC tests, while both the manual versions of the 1.4&nbsp;and 118bhp 1.0&nbsp;petrols do slightly better at 46.3mpg. An automatic-equipped 1.0-litre does 44.1mpg. The 99bhp 1.0&nbsp;engine is the most economical petrol engine at&nbsp;48.7mpg,&nbsp;but&nbsp;it's the&nbsp;76bhp 1.4 diesel that is the economy champion,&nbsp;with an official figure of 80.7mpg. Mind you, the 89bhp version is still very impressive with a figure of 74.3mpg.

Under the later, more realistic WLTP tests, the later cars achieved 49.6mpg for the 1.25, and 52.3mpg for the 1.0-litre car.&nbsp;

<h3>CO2 emissions</h3>

The most polluting Rio is the 1.4 automatic with a CO2 figure of 153g/km, followed closely by the 1.0-litre auto at 146g/km. The entry-level 1.25 petrol emits 140g/km, while both&nbsp;the manual version of the 1.4 and 118bhp 1.0-litre petrol spit out 139g/km. Finally, the 99bhp 1.0-litre emits 132g/km and is the greenest petrol in the range, but it is the 76bhp 1.4 diesel that has the lowest overall figure with 92g/km, with the 89bhp just managing to sneak into the free tax bracket due to&nbsp;a figure of&nbsp;98g/km.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Road tax

Road tax for all models registered before 1 April 2017&nbsp;will vary depending on the emissions the engine produces (see paragraph above for more information), while examples registered after this date will have&nbsp;the same flat-rate fee for cars that cost less than £40,000 when new. This is currently £155 a year. To find out more about the current <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/car-tax-changes-in-2019-%E2%80%93-what-do-i-need-to-know/n1153">road tax costs, click here</a>.

<h3>Servicing</h3>

Kia dealer servicing is reasonably priced compared with competitors, so your maintenance cost should be quite low. You can also check either with your local Kia dealer or online to find out if your car already has a pre-purchased service plan with it.&nbsp;Plus,&nbsp;you can take advantage of fixed-priced MOT costs when your car reaches three years old.

<h3>Insurance</h3>

Insurance groups for the Rio are reasonable compared with the rest of the class, ranging from group 4 for a 1.25 1 petrol to group 10 for the 118bhp 1.0-litre GT-Line S.&nbsp;

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The Kia Rio is a likeable small car and a good used buy. Some of its rivals do things better, though 

Prices for a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/kia">Kia</a> Rio at the time of writing start at £7000 for a 2017 1.25-litre example in 1 trim, but you'd be better off increasing your budget to £9000 to get a better specified 2 with the 99bhp 1.0-litre engine. A First Edition model&nbsp;tends to cost £11,000, while a&nbsp;top-spec GT-Line S&nbsp;can be found for £13,000. Spend between £9000 and £11,000 on a mid-spec Rio from 2018 or 2019, and £11,000 to £13,000 on a 2019 or 2020 car. Spend a little more for the post-facelift cars.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-valuation/">Check the value of a used Kia Rio with What Car? Valuations</a>

<h3>Engine</h3>

You’re unlikely to need a diesel engine in a car this small, so we’d go for the 99bhp 1.0 turbo petrol, because it’s a flexible engine that copes well with city traffic and motorway journeys alike, and you won’t have to spend a fortune on fuel.

<h3>Specification</h3>

You'll get all the equipment you’re likely to need with 2 trim, and it even gives&nbsp;you automatic emergency braking, a reversing camera&nbsp;and lane departure warning for increased safety. Go for a late 2018 example and you'll get the larger (7.0in) infotainment system, which is easier to use than the smaller screen fitted to earlier cars.

Our favourite <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/kia">Kia</a> Rio 1.0 T-GDi 2 manual

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Spacious enough for four adults to sit comfortably</li> <li>Logically laid-out interior that doesn’t</li> <li>feel too cheap</li> <li>Mature driving manners </li> <li>Decent-sized boot</li> <li>Competitive buying and running costs</li></ul>

Small cars, or superminis as they’re also known, used to be bought by single people or couples with no children – but the likes of the Ford Fiesta, Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen&nbsp;Polo have grown to the point where they can be considered all-round family transport, albeit with the odd compromise.

The Fiesta remains a star of the class, thanks to its strong Ecoboost petrol engines and suspension settings that are beautifully judged for British roads. However, the latest Volkswagen offers even more practicality, decent performance and a classy interior that has the edge on the Ford’s for quality.

Any of these models will be a competent commuter car – especially if fitted with one of the increasingly popular small turbocharged petrol engines – but just remember that while you’ll be able to carry two adults and two children, it might still be a struggle to get all of their luggage into the boot.

Small

The interior is&nbsp;generally quite hard-wearing, but you should do all the usual checks such as for stains on seat fabric and carpets. Look for scuffed and scratched plastic trim in the boot, because it isn’t all carpeted.

Because it's a small car that will be primarily used in urban environments, look for any bodywork damage or poor paint finish that could be an indication of previous repair work. Also, scrutinise the alloy wheels for any kerb damage, particularly the GT-Line and&nbsp;GT-Line S&nbsp;models, because those models&nbsp;have bigger wheels.

If you're looking for information on the older model, click here for our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/rio/hatchback/used-review/n774">used review of&nbsp;the 2011&nbsp;- 2017&nbsp;Kia Rio</a>, or here for the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/rio/hatchback/used-review/n424">2005 - 2011 second generation Rio</a>.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/kia">Kia</a> has been making waves among&nbsp;shrewd car buyers&nbsp;for a number of years now. The brand has done this by offering people&nbsp;cars that compare very favourably with more established rivals by providing lots&nbsp;of standard equipment&nbsp;at a competitive price.&nbsp;

But the trump card for used buyers could be Kia's&nbsp;exceedingly long manufacturer's warranty, which helps to&nbsp;make&nbsp;a compelling argument for why you might&nbsp;choose this&nbsp;Kia Rio over small hatchback rivals&nbsp;such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/used-review/n17425">Volkswagen Polo</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/used-review/n808">Skoda Fabia</a>.

This fourth-generation car has&nbsp;also proved to be surprisingly competent and classy, too. It was heavily updated in 2021, with a sharper and more distinctive look and a revised 'tiger nose' front grille and bumpers among the features new to this&nbsp;latest version.

The choice of petrol engines in the pre-facelift cars is between a smooth but slow 83bhp 1.25-litre unit, a 98bhp 1.4&nbsp;and a turbocharged 1.0-litre&nbsp;three-cylinder pair with 99bhp or 118bhp. There are also 76bhp and 89bhp versions of a 1.4-litre diesel for those who want maximum fuel economy.

A five-speed manual gearbox is available on the 1.25, 99bhp 1.0 and 1.4 petrol engines;&nbsp;a six-speed manual is standard with both versions of the 1.4 diesel and 118bhp 1.0 petrol. Fans of two-pedal driving can get a six-speed automatic as an option on the 1.4 petrol, or a seven-speed <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/which-type-of-automatic-gearbox-should-i-buy/n17022#4">dual-clutch automatic</a> on the most powerful 1.0-litre.

For the post-2021 facelifted car, the Rio gets a choice of&nbsp;petrol engines: a pair of new&nbsp;1.0-litre turbocharged three-pot petrols making 99bhp or 118bhp (the latter being available for the first time as a 48-volt mild-hybrid), and a cheaper 1.2-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol with 83bhp.

Diesel engines were discontinued for the car's 2018-model-year, and so only very briefly figured in the fourth-generation car. Both manual and seven-speed twin-clutch automatic gearboxes are on offer in the latest Rio, depending on the selected engine.

The entry-level 1 has air conditioning and Bluetooth connectivity, but the 2 version is a better buy because&nbsp;it adds 15in alloy wheels, a reversing camera,&nbsp;rear parking sensors, cruise control, automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. GT-Line comes with most of the features of 2 but adds bigger (17in) alloys and sportier styling both inside and out. Heated front seats and steering wheel, faux leather trim, climate control, sat-nav, rain-sensing wipers and 16in alloys come as standard on 3. Finally, GT-Line S models come with keyless entry and start, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and blindspot detection.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

To drive, the Rio is safe and sensible. You won’t be having a barrel of laughs, but the manual gearbox is slick to use, the steering is light around town and weights up progressively as speeds build, and the car feels stable on the motorway. Road noise can be quite loud over rougher roads, but even on smoother surfaces, the Rio isn’t as quiet as the Polo. The ride is firm around town, although this improves on faster roads.

You won’t find any soft-touch plastics inside, but it's all very well screwed together. Everything is placed where you’d expect it to be and you get the sense that Kia has tried to ape Volkswagen;&nbsp;the white numbers, red needles and chrome surround used on the speedo and rev counter are carbon copies of the ones you’ll find in a Polo.

However, the 5.0in infotainment screen on 1 and earlier 2 trims is on the small side and isn’t as easy to use as it could be on the move. It’s a shame&nbsp;because it limits the usefulness of the standard reversing camera on 2 models. You’d need to upgrade to 3 (or look for a late 2018 2 model) for the larger&nbsp;7.0in screen, along with <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a> smartphone mirroring.

The Rio is rather roomy up front with plenty of leg and head room. You may find yourself occasionally rubbing shoulders with your passenger, but this is still a small car after all. Storage for odds and ends is impressive because there are many cubbies in the door cards, centre console and dashboard. You'll find more rear passenger accommodation than a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/used-review/n808">Skoda Fabia</a>, plus a more generous boot than a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/clio/hatchback/used-review/n791">Renault Clio</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/used-review/n952">Ford Fiesta</a>. One mild criticism is that you don't have a variable height floor and will, therefore, have to lug items over a significant lip.

If you're interested in buying a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/kia/rio?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;postCode=tw1%203sp">used Kia Rio,</a> or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our used car classified site <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">here.</a>&nbsp;

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Used Kia Rio 2017-present review

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Kia Rio hatchback?