Kia Rio: every US generation, engines, mpg and what to check used

By CarWhere Research · Updated November 5, 2026

The Kia Rio was Kia's smallest US car, sold as a sedan and hatchback for the 2001–2023 model years across four generations. Every Rio is front-wheel drive with a four-cylinder: a 1.5L for 2001–2002, then 1.6L engines. The last 2020–2023 cars use an IVT and are EPA-rated 36 mpg combined.

Type: Subcompact sedan or five-door hatchback (wagon in the first generation), front-wheel drive
Powertrains: Rio 1.6L IVT (2020–2023), Rio 1.6L GDI (2012–2019), Rio 1.6L (2003–2011), Rio 1.5L (2001–2002)
Current generation: Fourth generation, 2018–2023

Kia Rio engines, horsepower and mpg

Horsepower and torque are left blank: Kia's US spec pages for this discontinued model are no longer online, and we only publish ratings from official Kia sources. Engines, transmissions and mpg come from EPA records. EPA also lists a Rio Eco version (2013–2017) with the GDI engine and automatic.

Kia Rio powertrains with Kia-rated output and EPA fuel economy (city/highway/combined)
Version	Engine	Horsepower	Torque (lb-ft)	Transmission	Drive	EPA mpg (city/hwy/comb)
Rio 1.6L IVT (2020–2023)	1.6L inline-4[1][2][3]	—	—	Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT)	Front-wheel drive	32/41/362023 MY[1]
Rio 1.6L GDI (2012–2019)	1.6L inline-4, direct injection[4][5][3]	—	—	6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual	Front-wheel drive	28/37/322018 MY[4]
Rio 1.6L (2003–2011)	1.6L inline-4[6][7][3]	—	—	4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual	Front-wheel drive	27/35/302011 MY[6]
Rio 1.5L (2001–2002)	1.5L inline-4[8][3]	—	—	4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual	Front-wheel drive	24/29/262001 MY[8]

Output is as rated by Kia; fuel economy is the EPA estimate. "—" means no official figure was found.

Which Kia Rio years get the best mpg?

The 2020–2023 Rios. With the 1.6L and IVT, EPA rates the 2020 Rio at 33/41/36 mpg and the 2023 at 32/41/36. A 2018 Rio GDI automatic is rated 28/37/32, a 2011 automatic 27/35/30 and a 2001 1.5L manual 24/29/26.[2][1][4][6][8]

What to check on a used Kia Rio

Start with recalls, because several cover Rios that are now old enough to have changed hands many times. A VIN check at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open campaigns; the repairs are free at Kia dealers.

2012–2017: ABS/HECU fuse recall for an engine-compartment fire risk (23V652); Kia advises parking outside until it is done
2016–2017 and 2018–2019 sedans: trunk-latch recalls (23V594, 21V622) affecting the inside trunk release
2006–2008: front passenger occupant sensor mat recall (12V244)
If you want a manual, look at 2019 or earlier; EPA lists no manual Rio after 2019
[10][11][12][13][14][3]

When was the Kia Rio discontinued?

EPA's last Rio listing is the 2023 model year, and EPA lists no Rio after that.[3]

Kia Rio generations by year

Every US Kia Rio generation with model years and engines, newest first
Generation	US model years	Engines	Notes
Fourth generation	2018–2023	1.6L I4: GDI with 6-speed automatic or manual (2018–2019); 1.6L with IVT (2020–2023)	Sold as a sedan and five-door hatchback. EPA's 2020 listing drops the direct-injection code and switches to a variable-ratio automatic, raising the combined rating to 36 mpg; the manual ends after 2019. The 2023 model year was the last.[3][4][2][1][9]
Third generation	2012–2017	1.6L GDI I4, 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual	EPA lists the direct-injected 1.6L from 2012, rated 28/36/31 mpg with the automatic that year, plus a separately rated Rio Eco from 2013.[3][5][9]
Second generation	2006–2011	1.6L I4, 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual	Sedan and five-door hatchback (Rio5). EPA rated the 2011 automatic at 27/35/30 mpg.[3][6][9]
First generation	2001–2005	1.5L I4 (2001–2002), 1.6L I4 (2003–2005); 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual	Offered as a sedan and a small wagon (Rio Cinco). EPA lists the 1.5L for 2001–2002 and the 1.6L from 2003.[3][8][7][9]

What Rio buyers actually paid

MSRP is the starting point, not the transaction price. These CarWhere pages show buyer-reported prices and dealer invoice estimates for the Kia Rio.

Rio dealer invoice price

More Rio research

See how a Rio was built at the factory.

Trim names and packages on a used listing are not always right. The CarWhere Kia build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Kia build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What years was the Kia Rio sold in the US?

EPA lists the Rio for the 2001 through 2023 model years, across four generations.

Was the Kia Rio available with a manual transmission?

Yes, through 2019. EPA lists 5-speed manuals through 2011 and 6-speed manuals for 2012–2019.

What mpg does a Kia Rio get?

EPA rates the 2023 Rio at 32/41/36 mpg (city/highway/combined).

Was there a Kia Rio hatchback?

Yes. The Rio was sold as a five-door hatchback alongside the sedan from 2006, and as a wagon in the first generation.

What engine is in the Kia Rio?

A four-cylinder: 1.5L for 2001–2002, 1.6L for 2003–2011, a direct-injected 1.6L for 2012–2019 and a 1.6L with an IVT for 2020–2023, per EPA.

Sources

Prices and output are as published by Kia for the model year shown; fuel economy is from the EPA. Equipment changes between model years, so confirm a specific vehicle against its original paperwork or build sheet.

EPA fuel economy record: 2023 Kia Rio 1.6L, IVT — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
EPA fuel economy record: 2020 Kia Rio 1.6L, IVT — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
EPA fuel economy data: vehicles.csv (Kia listings by model year, engine, transmission and drive) — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
EPA fuel economy record: 2018 Kia Rio 1.6L GDI, 6-speed automatic — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
EPA fuel economy record: 2012 Kia Rio 1.6L GDI, 6-speed automatic — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
EPA fuel economy record: 2011 Kia Rio 1.6L, 4-speed automatic — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
EPA fuel economy record: 2005 Kia Rio 1.6L, 4-speed automatic — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
EPA fuel economy record: 2001 Kia Rio 1.5L, 5-speed manual — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
Kia Rio — Wikipedia (secondary reference)
NHTSA recall 23V652: HECU may short and cause engine-compartment fire (incl. 2012–2017 Rio, 2014–2016 Cadenza, 2015–2018 K900, Borrego) — NHTSA (Kia America filing)
NHTSA recall 23V594: Trunk latch base may crack (incl. 2016–2017 Rio, 2016–2018 Optima) — NHTSA (Kia America filing)
NHTSA recall 21V622: Trunk latch may be damaged (incl. 2018–2019 Rio 4-door) — NHTSA (Kia America filing)
NHTSA recall 12V244: Passenger occupant sensor mat may crack (2006–2008 Rio) — NHTSA (Kia America filing)
DOT/NHTSA recalls dataset (6axg-epim): Kia recalls mentioning Rio — U.S. DOT (data.transportation.gov)

More Kia tools

Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Kia America, Kia Corporation or Hyundai Motor Group. Kia and the model names are trademarks of their owners.