The fully-redesigned 2018 Kia Rio 4-door sedan and Rio 5-door hatchback models are coming to your local dealers in October, and Kia USA have now announced the pricing for the new models.
The 2018 Rio is one of the best value subcompact cars on the market.
This is a sub-compact Kia car which does not only look great, but also comes loaded with standard features and now costs less than the outgoing model!
What makes this deal even greater is that the new generation model comes with a plethora of safety features usually reserved for bigger vehicles.
Kia Rio 2018 on sale date
The new 2018 Kia Rio is set to go on sale in the US in early October, and it will come available in 3 different trim levels:
- LX
- S
- EX
Rio LX (base model)
When the new 2018 Kia Rio arrives in US dealerships, it will come with a starting price of $13,900 for the LX sedan, and $14,200 for the base 5-door hatchback model.
If it’s a standard 6-speed manual transmission you want, you’ll need to go with the LX, as all others have 6-speed automatics.
There are not a ton of features on the entry-level model, but you do get a 5-inch infotainment system complete with SiriusXM satellite radio.
Rio S
The starting price for the mid-level S model comes in at $16,100 for the sedan and $16,400 for the hatchback.
Standard features on this model include a backup camera, USB ports in back, power windows, and Bluetooth connectivity.
Range-topping EX trim level
The Rio EX sits at the top of the model range, and comes with starting prices of $18,400 for the sedan and $18,700 for the hatchback.
The leather seats make it clear you have the premium model, and you also get cool looking alloy wheels, as well as a 7-inch infotainment system compatible with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
What is Rio Launch Edition package?
If you don’t mind spending an extra $500, you can get the 2018 Kia Rio Launch Edition Package, which is available exclusively on the EX trim.
This package adds some cool touches to the car, including a padded armrest on the front door, as well as red/brown partial leather seat trim.
2018 Kia Rio pricing vs. competition
The Hyundai Accent, Ford Fiesta, Nissan Versa, and Honda Fit are the biggest rivals to the Kia Rio in the subcompact segment.
It’s always smart to do a little bit of a price comparison before you buy, so let’s see what some of those other models are selling for in the US market.
The Ford Fiesta is about as close to the Rio as it gets in terms of pricing, as the base sedan model starts at $14,535. That trim level comes equipped with a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 120 hp and 112 lb-ft of torque.
The Honda Fit hatchback is a good deal pricier at $17,065, and it comes equipped with a 130-hp, 114-lb-ft 1.5-liter I-4. The best price in this segment goes to the Nissan Versa sedan, which starts at just $12,875, but this model is already a bit dated.
Move up to the Versa Note hatchback, though, and that starting price goes up to $16,365. Both models are powered by a 1.6-liter I-4 that produces 109 hp and 107 lb-ft.
We should mention that the Kia Rio 2018 (model year) carries over the 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine from the outgoing model, although it has been updated to deliver better fuel efficiency and throttle response. Power output for this engine is 130 hp and 119 lb-ft of torque.
The fuel efficiency enhancements of the 2018 Kia Rio allow it to deliver an EPA-rated 28/37 mpg city/highway, an improvement on the 27/36 mp found in the outgoing model.
