Kia Rio
The Kia Rio is a five-seat MPV powered by a 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 69 kW, with a top speed of 181 km/h and CO₂ emissions of 131 g/km. Production began in 1999, and the model measures 4,057 mm in length with a kerb weight of 1,162 kg. Norwegian registrations showed a notable decline between 2019 and 2020, with 66 new vehicles registered in 2019 dropping to just 25 in 2020.
| Manufacturer | Kia |
|---|---|
| Production | From 1999 |
| Body type | MPV |
| Fuel | Petrol |
| Engine power | 68 kW (92 hp) |
| CO₂ (WLTP) | 131 g/km |
| Kerb weight | 1,193 kg |
| Displacement | 1,212 cc |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Top speed | 181 km/h |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive |
| Fuel economy (comb.) | 8 l/100 km |
| Length | 4,050 mm |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,727 mm |
| Height | 1,453 mm |
| Seats | 5 |
| Doors | 4 |
Engine power, CO₂ and kerb weight are registration-weighted averages across the 5 European countries that registered the Kia Rio in 2025 (925 cars). Source: EEA CO₂ monitoring (CC BY 4.0).
New registrations in Norway
Number of Kia Rio registered for the first time in Norway per year.
Source: EEA CO₂ monitoring (CC BY 4.0).
New registrations by country (2025)
Number of Kia Rio cars registered for the first time across 5 European countries in 2025.
| Country | Registrations |
|---|---|
| Greece | 909 |
| Romania | 9 |
| United Kingdom | 4 |
| Germany | 2 |
| France | 1 |
Source: EEA CO₂ monitoring (CC BY 4.0), 2025 data.
Engine variants
Different engine versions of the Kia Rio (from registration data). 9 variants.
| Engine | Fuel | Transmission | Top speed | Economy | Model year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 l · 4-cyl | Petrol | Automatic | – | 9.6 l/100 km | 2001–2002 |
| 1.5 l · 4-cyl | Petrol | Manual | – | 9 l/100 km | 2001–2002 |
| 1.6 l · 4-cyl | Petrol | Automatic | – | 8.6 l/100 km | 2003–2011 |
| 1.6 l · 4-cyl | Petrol | Manual | – | 8.4 l/100 km | 2003–2011 |
| 1.6 l · 4-cyl | Petrol | Automatic | – | 7.7 l/100 km | 2012–2014 |
| 1.6 l · 4-cyl | Petrol | Manual | – | 7.5 l/100 km | 2012–2019 |
| 1.6 l · 4-cyl | Petrol | Automatic | – | 7.6 l/100 km | 2015–2019 |
| 1.6 l · 4-cyl | Petrol | Automatic | – | 6.5 l/100 km | 2020 |
| 1.6 l · 4-cyl | Petrol | Automatic | – | 6.5 l/100 km | 2021–2023 |
Source: EPA (US). Fuel economy converted to l/100 km.
Generations
Other Kia models
Similar MPV models
Common problems & reliability
US owners have filed 221 complaints for the Kia Rio, most often about engine, unknown or other, service brakes, steering. These are owner-reported issues, useful for spotting recurring weaknesses before you buy. In the UK, 76% of Kia Rios pass their MOT test first time, based on 98,203 inspections.
Based on real owner complaints and inspection data — not an editorial rating. Sources: NHTSA (US, public domain), DVSA MOT (UK, Open Government Licence).
Recalls & safety
3 recalls recorded in the EU Safety Gate (European market) and 11 in the US-market NHTSA database for the Kia Rio. Recalls can flag known weaknesses of the model.
- Passenger carEU · Safety Gate (Poland)
Although appearing to engage, the child lock may not engage.
EU Safety Gate · alerted 2018-05-11
- Passenger carEU · Safety Gate (Germany)
The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
EU Safety Gate · alerted 2025-02-14
- Passenger carEU · Safety Gate (Poland)
The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
EU Safety Gate · alerted 2025-01-10
- STEERING:COLUMNUS · NHTSAModel year 2022
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC235.
NHTSA campaign 22V304000 · reported 05/05/2022
- STEERING:COLUMNUS · NHTSAModel year 2021
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC235.
NHTSA campaign 22V304000 · reported 05/05/2022
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDERUS · NHTSAModel year 2021
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Rio vehicles. The brake master cylinder may have been manufactured with sharp edges that can damage the inner oil seal, resulting in reduced braking performance.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 11, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC223.
NHTSA campaign 21V936000 · reported 01/12/2021
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDERUS · NHTSAModel year 2020
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Rio vehicles. The brake master cylinder may have been manufactured with sharp edges that can damage the inner oil seal, resulting in reduced braking performance.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 11, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC223.
NHTSA campaign 21V936000 · reported 01/12/2021
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCHUS · NHTSAModel year 2019
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.
NHTSA campaign 21V622000 · reported 09/08/2021
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCHUS · NHTSAModel year 2018
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.
NHTSA campaign 21V622000 · reported 09/08/2021
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEUS · NHTSAModel year 2017
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
NHTSA campaign 23V652000 · reported 25/09/2023
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCHUS · NHTSAModel year 2017
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC278.
NHTSA campaign 23V594000 · reported 24/08/2023
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCHUS · NHTSAModel year 2016
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC278.
NHTSA campaign 23V594000 · reported 24/08/2023
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEUS · NHTSAModel year 2016
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
NHTSA campaign 23V652000 · reported 25/09/2023
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEUS · NHTSAModel year 2015
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
NHTSA campaign 23V652000 · reported 25/09/2023
Sources: EU Safety Gate (European market) and NHTSA (US market). See all Kia recalls.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the top speed of the Kia Rio?
- The Kia Rio has a rated top speed of 181 km/h.
- How much power does the Kia Rio have?
- The Kia Rio produces 68 kW (92 hp).
- What are the dimensions of the Kia Rio?
- The Kia Rio is 4,050 mm long, 1,727 mm wide and 1,453 mm tall.
- How much does the Kia Rio weigh?
- The Kia Rio has a kerb weight of about 1,193 kg.
- What are the CO2 emissions of the Kia Rio?
- The Kia Rio emits 131 g/km of CO2 (WLTP).
- How many seats does the Kia Rio have?
- The Kia Rio has 5 seats.