2021 Kia Rio Hatchback - DM Test Drive | Review

[@whiteblaze34]

I nabbed a Kio Rio Hatchback with tech package 2 months ago. $20,740 out the door, including tag tax etc. I paid it all up front and have no payments on it. I average about 37MPG and I absolutely love this car. Unfortunately, earlier in Sept, they announced that the Kia Rio is being brought out of their lineup and not being sold again. Such a good little car for great value.

[@ninaj84]

I love my new kia rio hatchback. Fun to drive and my average gas mileage has been about 47 mpg for a while now. Also, it holds a lot of cargo..more than what it seems. Just took it camping and it fit everything and more. Also, this shouldn't be considered a "sub-compact" because it does NOT look like one at all, compared to other rollerskate looking cars. It looks like a regular compact car.

[@mikepino4954]

Hi Nina to help you out for rear view visibility take off the top headrests!!! You will be surprised by the difference when you look in the rear view mirror. I hope that this helps. Have a great day

[@ninaj84]

@@mikepino4954 It has pretty good visibility already, but thanks for the tip! I'll try that because I rarely have back seat passengers.

[@curte7739]

I'm not going to dispute it and maybe that's a typo but unless it's a hybrid there's no way you're getting 47 we baby ours and we can get 41 tops and that's highway driving

[@palebeachbum]

@@curte7739 depends on a lot of factors. Maybe you're cruising at faster speed, do more hills, accelerate more to pass people. That'll all hurt economy. No doubt it can do better than 41mpg highway. My bigger Elantra was doing better than that on the highway.

[@charleneroot635]

We just traded a 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Ultimate on a 2022 Kia Rio EX Premium. Say what??? Why would we do such a thing? Well, we've moved into an apartment and the Sonata sits parked inside for about 6 days a week which makes the Solar Roof little more than a conversation piece. The vehicle which we use almost all the time is a 2022 Kia Niro PHEV SX Touring, to which we upgraded last November from a 2018 Kia Niro Hybrid. In short, we considered moving back to a single vehicle but just aren't quite there yet so we purchased this Kia Rio as a run-a-bout for those times when we have separate errands to run. The test drive of the Rio was shocking as so little was expected yet so much delivered. As a Canadian living in "Salt Laden Ontario", one of my favorite features is Drum Brakes on the back. Since 70% of braking is accomplished by the front wheels anyway, this compromise is ideal for our corrosive climate. It always seems to be the rear brakes which fail first as they've constantly bathed by the salt spray kicked up by the front wheels as you move down the road. Other things we really appreicate on this Kia Rio are: 1) NO Turbocharger (just an expensive item to repair when it blows and a waste of fuel) 2) NO Direct Injection (i.e. no Carbon Fouling of the Valves), and 3) 15" tires which are the least expensive, most efficient, and smoothest riding rubber available due to decent sidewall height which acts as an additional Shock Absorber. This whole MONSTER Wheel Size CRAZE is just ridiculous. It's pretty hard to see those wheels when you're driving down the road and in reality, they're just a "Hey Mommy, Look at Me Fad". The ridiculous thing at this point in time is that we were able to completely walk away, penalty free, from the Sonata Lease after a year and half along with an Equity Cheque for $2,750 in our pocket. Due to extreme demand for Hybrids right now and no inventory, our 2021 model is actually retailing for more than the MSRP on a brand new one (which dealers simply can't get). Additionally our Lease Payments for the Rio dropped by over $400 per month and THAT will buy a heck of a lot of gas range for the Rio. The MOST surprising thing about the Rio is that it actually rides smoother than the Sonata Hybrid, as does our Kia Niro. Overall, that Sonata was a beautiful car and it delivers exceptional fuel economy for a vehicle that large but the ride quality is just TOO firm for our tastes! We don't care what Hyundai wants to do with the suspension on an N-Line Sonata as it is supposed to be a "Sporty Car" but people DON'T buy Hybrids for performance. Sure our Sonata handled like a dream but we can't remember the last time we cornered on the sidewalls of the tires. At any rate, we absolutely love our PHEV Kia Niro and will continue to drive it most of the time BUT this Kia Rio EX Premium surprised and delighted for a run-a-bout. It drives WAY above it's price class and it's fuel efficiency is highly respectable. For the low amount it's costing monthly, along with warranty coverage for the duration of the lease, there was no incentive to look at used vehicles as an alternative.

[@xkupi]

This has got to be the best review of a car ever made hahaha the understeering screech

[@Pedro-te7xr]

hi Charlie, thank you very much for your review, I´ve just ordered this car in Spain, 120 HP, 1.0 litre, 3-cylinder engine, 7- gear DCT, I think there is a 4-cylinder car. Mine is equipped with 16-inch wheels as well. Greetings from Spain!

[@MHdollrevievs]

Just after Xmas I slid into a p/u truck driving our 2019 Tesla Model 3 $17k in damage(Tesla approved auto body shop). We went to Mexico for 3 weeks after we got back the 3 was still not fixed(Waiting for parts) The insurance company set up a rental and we chose the Kia Rio 5 door hatch. Wow I love driving it it’s fun to drive,Rides really good and nice and quiet inside. We have decided to sell the Model 3 I want a Rio but wife wants a small SUV like a Nissan Kicks or similar. Update Our Tesla is still at the body shop(Still Waiting for parts😳) After 3 weeks of rental with the Rio we took it back. We bought a 2021 Nissan Quashqui(Rouge Sport in USA)SL Premiere. We owned a 2008 Nissan Rouge and loved it,So the Quashqui is basically a smaller version(New Rouge is huge)

[@Faforino]

You know you can just take off the head rest, right? To flatten the seats.

[@Blake64]

Crazy how you get wireless car play in a rio but my k5 gt line that was 34k doesn’t even have that option

[@mrdirector61]

I don't know if you've tested the Nissan Versa. And even though it's a sedan, I'd be interested to hear what you think about that vs the Rio.

[@peterbengston7735]

Wouldn't the Kia in a class comparable to the Jetta be the Forte?

[@theeballer6429]

The IVTs (intelligent variable transmissions) from Kia/Hyundai are a lot better than other CVTs

[@trent7080]

Not true, going uphill it varies ratios which isn't helpful. Also KIA doesn't want you to change the fluid, but rather replace the whole unit, not good because some Forte & Soul IVTs have prematurely failed.

[@CollinMac96]

@@trent7080 does the owners manual state to not change the fluid?

[@trent7080]

@@CollinMac96 Yes, KIA says "Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) fluid: No check, No service required" Also if you look on the IVT unit itself, it states that the IVT fluid shouldn't be replaced, but the whole transmission should be replace if any issues arise.

[@CollinMac96]

@@trent7080 wow, I thought you were trolling. My bad man. I called a Kia dealer to confirm your claim and they said the same. I always change my tranny fluid at 30k miles. Now I’m curious if regularly changing the fluid would cause issues lol.

[@zort96]

@@trent7080 You have to look a little further in the "Maintenance Under Severe Usage" section of the owners manual. There, it does suggest a 60k service interval for the IVT.

[@jamesstuart3346]

Great review. Concise and complete

[@curte7739]

Our 2018 Rio hatchback has 35,000 miles on it and gets an average of 40 miles per gallon which isn't bad for a non-hybrid car

[@dexedr1ne]

Almost fully satisfying video, only thing missing was if it was a manual transmission 😎 Nonetheless, I enjoyed the video, nice fun driving! Considering this in a 6 speed manual.. $13,000 cheaper than the SE corolla hatchback I was considering.

[@lukuscannon9697]

Funny how in America the Kia Rio has a CVT when we have a 6 speed Auto 🤔

[@palebeachbum]

It used to have a 6 speed auto in America.

[@goldenblooms6672]

You just mentioned this as a forte hatchback twice while you were lying down inside the trunk lol. Can you do a review on the forte5 with the rear seats down just like this?

[@DailyMotor]

Ahh jeez. I guess I just prefer to say Forte. Sure, we'll try!

[@NissanAltimaGuy]

7:27 I get excited every time I see you come up on this turn around!

[@kentuckygreg4725]

Great city car!

[@bohannon5175]

Cool😍😍

[@bwright1991]

Its like Kia made a scion

[@karoltakisobie6638]

Is Rio available in basic trim with 6 speed manual?

[@DailyMotor]

Unfortunately not in the US :/

[@karoltakisobie6638]

@@DailyMotor I just checked- it's available in Canada but hard to get.

[@theadvocate4698]

@@karoltakisobie6638 Drove mine for 7 years, it's a fun car! Make me think of a 1990's civic si or something like an og GTI, cool car!

[@frankENZC]

I'd buy a car like this too but I'm driving q 2021 Veloster n DCT. On the Rio, I'd upgrade the wheels and add Michelin Sport 4S tires! At least upgrade the handling! lOL

[@obeidcurrent4181]

Which one is better do u think, veloster or rio?

[@spartaeus]

Poor vehicle... It won't last long like that. If my teenage son took my car out and did that, I'd slap the crap out of him!

[@jmmartian6139]

Novice driver/amateur car review