2018 Kia Rio

The Rio's relatively budget-friendly pricing gives it a slight competitive advantage over many class rivals with the base 2018 Kia Rio LX priced at $13,900, or $14,990 when optioned with the automatic transmission. The all-new Rio S trim has a sticker price of $16,100, while the top-level Rio EX sees an MSRP of $18,400 for 2018. Those are exclusive of any tax, registration, and licensing fees and exclude Kia's processing, handling, and delivery charge of $895.

Though equipped with a tautly-tuned suspension and with a firmer ride than most, the Rio still impresses by smoothing out smaller road imperfections and bumps with relative poise. More of the road can, nevertheless, certainly be felt through the chassis via the wheels which can slightly degrade ride comfort, albeit beneficial to the driver in terms of road feel and handling. While the chassis can feel slightly unsteady on initial turn-in, body roll settles down and is kept under control through most of the Rio's dynamic range. The steering effort is lightly weighted and its responses tighten up naturally. It can, however, get darty at higher speeds requiring a lot of correction. Feedback from the front wheels is also effectively conveyed via the steering wheel, affording the driver with some confidence. The Rio tracks straight under heavy braking and the brakes themselves provide adequate stopping power, are responsive, consistent, and easy to modulate.

With its budget-friendly pricing, exceptional crash-test worthiness, and favorable economy figures, the 2018 Kia Rio Sedan can be considered a good entry-level car. Along with its exceptional safety ratings and perceivably high-quality build, the Kia Rio was also given an above-average predicted reliability rating. In terms of its ride, the Rio impresses with handling dynamics that better most of its rivals and a ride quality comfortable enough to appreciate, albeit on the firmer side. The default powertrain moves the Rio through city settings enthusiastically while also remaining suitably frugal. The Rio's contemporary technology sets it ahead of many of its rivals too, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay offered in the lineup's top-tier trim along with a premium seven-inch touchscreen display. While the Rio's practicality is middling for the class, its wide and flat trunk floor adds to its appeal. You will need to stick to the upper-level trims for these perks as they are absent in the entry-level LX trim.

With the entry-level Rio LX trim so short on even base-level features and the Rio S trim not adding all that much more, we recommend opting for the top-tier Rio EX trim. Not only does it come standard with higher-quality cabin and seating materials, but also with a host of worthwhile features. It is exclusively fitted with a tilt/telescoping steering column, a 3.5-inch LCD multi-function display, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob. The EX also comes standard with a more capable infotainment system with a larger touchscreen display and UVO3 software which includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality. It is also the only trim that comes standard with fog lights and an autonomous emergency braking system. We recommend including the $500 EX Launch Edition Package which adds a front door padded armrest and Red/Brown partial leather seat trim.

The Hyundai Accent is a top pick amongst the subcompact sedan segment and has been and still is a strong challenger for the Kia Rio. At only around $1,000 pricier than the Rio, the Accent comes standard with a better selection of features, especially at the base trim. With cruise control, Bluetooth, a rearview camera, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats featured in the base Accent, that small increase in price is met with a considerable amount more value. Furthermore, the top-tier Accent trim is accorded with standard features not available to the Rio at all, including a sunroof, automatic climate control, and heated front seats. In terms of drivability, the rival cars perform relatively similar with the Rio only offering better steering responses and feel. The Rio returned the better safety and reliability ratings along with better economy figures from its powertrain, but only to a marginal extent. From the base level upward the Accent offers significantly more value than that of the Rio and is in most regards slightly better.

If the Kia Rio isn't affordable enough, then the Nissan Versa most certainly is with its MSRP hovering at around $1,500 lower than that of the Rio's. Though equipped with a similarly sized engine, the Versa offers more sedate acceleration as it produces only 109 hp and 107 lb-ft, but it is more frugal than the Rio with 31/39/34 mpg returned on the EPA drive cycles. The Rio will be a lot more enjoyable to drive than the slow-going Versa, it handles more dynamically and rides more comfortably too. The Versa also offers a cabin subpar in build and material quality with even fewer standard features than the already bare-bones Rio. All the Versa really stands out for is in its leading rear cabin room and trunk capacity which is measured at 14.9 cubic feet. But with even Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality forgotten throughout the Versa lineup, the Rio once again tops the Versa in another regard. The Rio, though priced higher than the Versa, offers more value in nearly every aspect.