Kia Rio Model Years and History

The Kia Rio carries over into 2023 with minimal changes.

The Kia Rio carries over into 2023 with minimal changes.

The Kia Rio carries over into 2022 with minimal changes.

The Kia Rio carries over into 2022 with minimal changes.

The Kia Rio carries over into 2021 with a couple changes, the exterior has a restyled front and rear while the infotainment screen was upgraded to 7-inches with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Kia Rio carries over into 2021 with a couple changes, the exterior has a restyled front and rear while the infotainment screen was upgraded to 7-inches with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Kia Rio gets a new engine for 2020, a 1.6L 4-cylinder unit that despite being the same displacement as the outgoing engine, gets considerably better fuel economy. Fuel economy is further aided by a new continuously variable transmission which comes standard on the car. The end result? City mpg jumps by 5 mpg while highway ratings increase by 4 mpg. All told, the 2020 Rio is rated at a combined 36 mpg in city and highway driving.

After being re-designed in 2018 the new 2019 Kia Rio drops the EX trim level and bumps up the previously mid-level S trim to top of the pack. The Rio boasts Apply CarPlay or Android Auto as newly standard equipment and is now only offered with an automatic transmission.

After being re-designed in 2018 the new 2019 Kia Rio drops the EX trim level and bumps up the previously mid-level S trim to top of the pack. The Rio boasts Apply CarPlay or Android Auto as newly standard equipment and is now only offered with an automatic transmission.

The Kia Rio has been fully redesigned for 2018, making this the fourth generation Rio to be sold in the United States. The new car grows just a bit, offering more interior room than previous generations, while still maintaining a relatively compact footprint, making it easy to park and maneuver about the city. The interior has been improved as well, with nicer materials and a more upscale feel to go along with the extra room. The exterior proportions make the car look less like an economy car for this generation, particularly on the hatchback; the 5-door version looks mature and upscale in contrast to its relatively moderate base price.

The Kia Rio has been fully redesigned for 2018, making this the fourth generation Rio to be sold in the United States. The new car grows just a bit, offering more interior room than previous generations, while still maintaining a relatively compact footprint, making it easy to park and maneuver about the city. The interior has been improved as well, with nicer materials and a more upscale feel to go along with the extra room. The exterior proportions make the car look less like an economy car for this generation, particularly on the hatchback; the 5-door version looks mature and upscale in contrast to its relatively moderate base price.

The 2017 Kia Rio carries over with only minor changes. The SX Sedan was dropped while red and black paint options have been added to the LX trims color choices.

The 2017 Kia Rio carries over with only minor changes. The SX Sedan was dropped while red and black paint options have been added to the LX trims color choices.

The Kia Rio gets a few styling tweaks for 2016 along with an updated interior and a couple of new colors. The front end of the Rio gets the most obvious changes, with a new grill, slightly repositioned headlights and new fog light surrounds. Inside, Kia has added a few higher end looking trim pieces as well as improving their UVO infotainment system.

The Kia Rio is largely unchanged for 2015.

The Kia Rio gets a couple of minor enhancements for 2014. Without altering the Rio's looks, Kia has managed to improve the car's under-body aerodynamics, where covers have been added under the engine and the rear bumpers. This will ultimately improve fuel efficiency. Minor improvements were also made to the interior, including a nicer leather wrapped steering wheel. A new smart key rounds out the changes for the 2014 Rio.

Following a complete redesign for 2012, the Kia Rio has no significant changes for 2013.

The Kia Rio has been completely redesigned for 2012, with somewhat larger dimensions yet an all-new body structure that promises better crash protection without added heft. A new direct-injection engine and two new 6-speed transmissions help make tremendous gas-mileage gains as well, and all-new exterior and interior styling bring the Rio's look up to par with the larger Forte and Optima models.

For 2011, manual transmission availability shrinks to the base trim, on which it is the only available transmission option.

For 2010, the Kia Rio and Rio5 receive an exterior facelift, with updates to the front fascia, grille and headlights, as well as some interior enhancements, which include a revised center stack with new controls, a slightly different instrument cluster and an upgraded stereo system with Bluetooth hands-free connectivity. The Rio is now available only in LX and SX trims.

Changes to the 2009 Kia Rio are few, and include a slightly revised instrument cluster and the addition of Sirius satellite radio and a digital input jack to the entire lineup.

A new value-priced Kia Rio5 LX model has been added to the 2008 lineup for those who like the hatchback body style but are on a tight budget. Previously the Rio5 was only available in top SX trim. The value-leader base model is still only offered as a sedan.

The Kia Rio sedan gains a trim for 2007. The top-end SX adds 15-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, a rear spoiler, air conditioning, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, among other items, to the LX trim. The five-door hatchback continues with minimal changes.