2023 Rio Interior
Kia has always done an impressive job of delivering interiors that look better than the car's actual asking price would suggest, and the Rio manages to do just that. Everything is solidly bolted together, and while there aren't plush materials on offer, it's still a nice space for the price asked of it; you'll find hard plastics in the cabin, but this is to be expected of the segment. The controls and dash layout is simple and easy to get to grips with. The front seats offer good support and offer sufficient space to get comfortable in, and the driver has a good view of the road. Limited seating adjustment is to be expected here. Rear-seat occupants get cramped seating, but this is again segment-related.
2023 Rio Interior Photos
Seating and Interior Space
Five adults should technically fit in the Kia Rio sedan, but in reality, we found that only four will comfortably fit. Front passengers are afforded a generous amount of space: with just over 42 inches of legroom, six-footers should remain comfortable even over long road trips, and there's enough headroom for taller passengers as well. Things get significantly tighter in the rear, and taller passengers may feel a little claustrophobic with only 37.4 inches of headroom on offer and 33.5 inches of legroom. The driver gets a six-way manually adjustable seat. Compared to the competition, the Rio is actually quite spacious; the Nissan Versa fails to match it for rear-seat space. It's more spacious in front, though.
2023 Kia Rio Interior Dimensions:
| Kia Rio Trims | LX | S |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 | 5 |
| Headroom Front Seat | 38.9 in. | 38.9 in. |
| Headroom Back Seat | 37.4 in. | 37.4 in. |
| Legroom Front Seat | 42.1 in. | 42.1 in. |
| Legroom Back Seat | 33.5 in. | 33.5 in. |
| Shoulder Room Front | 54.1 in. | 54.1 in. |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 53.3 in. | 53.3 in. |
| Hip Room, Front | 52.9 in. | 52.9 in. |
| Hip Room, Rear | 52.4 in. | 52.4 in. |
Interior Colors and Materials
The Rio does its best to hide its price tag, and Kia has managed to incorporate some solid-feeling materials, but at the end of the day, you have to make peace with the fact that this is a budget car. This means that you won't find any Nappa leather and Alcantara: the Rio is offered with seating surfaces in Black Tricot and Woven Cloth on the base model, while the S gets the option to the same fabric in gray. The rest of the interior is dominated by dark plastic surfaces, and key touch points such as the steering wheel and shifter are of the polyurethane variety.
2023 Rio Trunk and Cargo Space
Balancing passenger space with trunk space is a difficult act, especially when you're dealing with such a compact platform, but Kia has managed to find a good compromise. Pop the trunk lid of the Rio sedan, and you'll be greeted by 13.7 cubic feet of space. This is reasonable but slightly less than the 14.7 cubes you'd get in the Nissan Versa. Those 13.7 cubes should be enough for the weekly grocery run. For even more space and versatility, the S trim offers a 60/40 split-folding rear seat.
Small items can be stored in the door pockets, a small storage nook in front of the shifter, or in the two cup holders up front. The Rio also offers a glove compartment and a center armrest storage bin on the S trim. Those in the back also get door pockets and a single seat-back map pocket behind the front passenger seat.
2023 Kia Rio Trunk and Cargo Space Photos
2023 Kia Rio Cargo Dimensions:
| Kia Rio Trims | LX | S |
|---|---|---|
| Trunk Volume | 13.7 cu. ft. | 13.7 cu. ft. |
2023 Rio Infotainment and Features
Features
Those interested in the Rio Sedan aren't looking for the latest in infotainment tech and luxury features but rather want reliability and safety on a budget. That means that some sacrifices have to be made, and in this case, the features list takes a slight hit, but there's still enough to make the Rio a pleasure to live with daily. The base model comes standard with features such as automatic halogen headlights, a rearview camera with dynamic parking guidance, a 12-volt power outlet, air conditioning (auto temperature control available on the S), a tilt-adjustable steering column, and a six-way manually-adjustable driver's seat. The S adds features such as an additional USB port, cruise control, remote keyless entry, a center console, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. Optional extras on the S include LED headlights, push-button start, and a supervision meter cluster with a 4.2-inch display. The Technology Package will also add a host of driver assists, including forward collision avoidance, lane keeping assist, lane departure alert, driver attention warning, and more.
Infotainment
Despite its budget-friendly nature, the Kia Rio manages to hit the nail on the head with its infotainment system. Both trim levels are equipped with an eight-inch touchscreen display and an AM/FM/MP3 audio system. This system features an intuitive and sleek operating system that is easy to get to grips with. Sound is channeled through a six-speaker sound system, including front tweeters. Additional features include wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto integration, Bluetooth streaming, and a front USB input, as well as an auxiliary input. The S trim is also available with optional SiriusXM satellite radio as part of the $1,800 Technology package.