beebs

2018 Kia Rio5 review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise

Kia Rio5 highlights

Customer rating

Pros

  • Robust build
  • Sporty handling
  • Generous trunk dimensions

Cons

  • Lower trims don’t offer telescopic steering wheel
  • The base trim offers few features

Mileage (EPA estimate)

28 city, 37 highway, 32 combined

Pricing for current inventory

(no current inventory)

Price
Year

All Kia Rio5 years

What is new for the 2018 Kia Rio5?

  • The Rio5 is available in a new trim called the S.
  • The SX trim has been discontinued for 2018.
  • Rio5 trims have been upgraded with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard equipment this year.
  • Parking Sensors features are now available as options on select trims.
  • The LX trim now comes with Power Locks as standard equipment.

2018 Kia Rio5 trims

Curious how Kia Rio5 trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

LX:

  • 130-hp, 119-lb-ft of torque 1.6L
  • Cloth Seats
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Rear Defroster
  • Side Airbags
  • Traction Control
  • Rear Spoiler
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Satellite Radio Ready

S:

  • Includes all features available on the LX
  • Cruise Control
  • Power Mirrors
  • Rear View Camera
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • Power Windows
  • View our Kia Rio5 S inventory

EX:

5 reasons to buy the 2018 Kia Rio5

1. Passenger-pleasing cabin 

Making comfort and convenience a priority, the 2018 Kia Rio5 hatchback has thoughtful features that make everyday journeys feel easy. All your travel essentials are close to hand yet stowed securely, with door cubbies across both rows that accommodate drinks bottles, a deep center console, a glove box for valuables, front-row cup holders, and more. The available seven-inch infotainment screen’s stand-up style ensures easy eye-line visibility, while the remote keyless entry function (S, EX) means no more fumbling around for keys in the wind, rain, or snow.  

2. Great cargo cubes 

From antique fair finds to airport pick-ups and bulk buy shopping, the 2018 Rio5 hatchback has the versatile dimensions you need for such tasks. This Rio5 offers up to 17.4 cu-ft of fixed cargo space, enough to hold family-sized suitcases or large grocery orders with ease. Transporting bulkier items and white goods is easy with the 2018 Rio5 too. The flat-load floor ensures secure travel, while the 60/40 split-folding rear seats fold down, boosting your cargo space to 32.8 cu-ft. 

3. Useful tech options 

For busy days behind the wheel, perhaps visiting client offices or making multiple errand stops, the 2018 Rio5 S and EX trim models offer some upgraded tech features you’ll appreciate. In parking garages, the rearview camera automatically displays on the infotainment screen when in reverse, with helpful grid lines for any tight parking maneuvers. The Rio5 EX trim also enhances connectivity with standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto integration for easy access to your online calendar and navigation apps. 

4. Responsive ride 

This is more than a sensible hatchback for everyday driving; the 2018 Rio5 is also designed for driving enjoyment. Choose how you want to express your driving style with a six-speed manual transmission as standard or the option of a six-speed Sportmatic® automatic transmission on higher trims. In challenging conditions, the Rio5 is a champ, keeping you firmly planted via its traction control and vehicle stability systems, sensing and then enhancing your connection to surfaces lashed with rain or snow. 

5. Fuel-sipping engine 

To enjoy every opportunity or adventure that comes your way, it makes sense to find a fuel-sipping vehicle that can take you beyond your daily commute. If you want to say yes to weekends away and last-minute invitations across town, the 2018 Rio5 has a 130-hp, 1.6L four-cylinder engine paired to front-wheel drive, capable of an EPA-estimated 32 mpg combined.

This makes the Rio5 a very practical vehicle if you drive a lot of miles in a week.

Shop with your budget in mind

Getting pre-qualified lets you shop with personalized monthly payments, and it doesn't impact your credit score.Get Pre-qualified

Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

4
Excellent

RepairPal gave the Kia Rio5 an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Kia Rio5 14th out of 27 among Subcompact Cars.

View RepairPal's full rating of the Kia Rio5

Kia Rio5 features and specs

EX 2WD 4D Hatchback

Standard Features

  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alloy Wheels
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Android Auto
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • Cloth Seats
  • Cruise Control
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Side Airbags
  • Traction Control
  • Cloth Seats
  • Leather Seats
  • Parking Sensors
  • Rear Spoiler
  • Rear View Camera

Drive Wheels

Front Wheel Drive (2WD)

Engine size

1.6L

Horsepower

130

Torque (ft-lbs)

119

Engine type

Gas

Fuel capacity

11.9

Wheelbase

101.6"

Overall length

160"

Width

67.9"

Height

57.1"

Leg room

F 42.1"/R 33.5"

Head room

F 38.9"/R 38"

Front tires

P185/65TR15

Rear tires

P185/65TR15

Seating capacity

5

Transmission

Automatic

2018 Kia Rio5 FAQ

Research other vehicles



* Price excludes taxes, title, registration, and fees. Applicable transfer fees are due in advance of vehicle delivery and are separate from sales transactions.

We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.​

Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.

Unless otherwise noted, information related to featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. Product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities.​ By clicking on any video links, you will be taken to a third-party site maintained by YouTube, Inc.

We make every effort to provide accurate information, but please verify before purchasing.