The small-car market is enormous these days. There are tons of different shapes, sizes, powers, and prices. Today, we are going to talk about one of the most popular, affordable cars, the 2020 Kia Rio. Not only is the Rio available in two trims, but also in two body styles. You can choose between the sedan or hatchback model. Loaded with cool features and high-tech solutions, the sporty Kia Rio is a great daily driver for people who live in the city or those who commute to work every day. But what makes this car so great? Let’s look into it.
Excellent Performance
First and foremost, the 2020 Kia Rio is fantastic on gas. The fuel economy for this compact sedan is 33 MPG in the city and 41 MPG on the highway for a combined fuel economy of 36 MPG. Powered by a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, this vehicle generates 120 hp and 112 lb-ft of torque. That is more than enough power needed to drive around with. For optimized control and responsiveness, the new Kia Rio comes with Motor Driven Power Steering; this provides the driver with more control every time they get behind the wheel. Overall, the extremely impressive fuel efficiency and solid powertrain combine to make an excellent vehicle.
The Great Interior
With available seating for up to five people, this petite vehicle has enough room for singles, couples, and small families. The sedan body style has about 13.7 cu.ft. of trunk space, and the hatchback offers 17.4 cu.ft., so no matter what, you have room for your things. But what else is on the inside? Well, the 2020 Kia Rio sedan is offered in two trims, and the hatchback model is only available in one trim. While there may not be many options for you to choose from, the limited trims that are offered are stellar! You will be pleasantly surprised by what you will find inside these well-equipped models. Let’s take a closer look inside!
Inside the LX Trim
The base model is known as the LX. It comes with a 6-speaker sound system, air conditioning, a 6-way height-adjustable driver’s seats, and a USB port for charging your mobile device. Also included on the base model are features such as a rearview camera with parking guidance, an infotainment interface that uses a large 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Additional standard features include power locks, power windows, auto light control, audio controls mounted on the steering wheel, dual visor vanity mirrors, and cloth upholstery. This model wouldn’t be complete without a few great safety features as well. These include dual-front advanced airbags, dual-front seat-mounted airbags, full-length side-curtain airbags, hill-start assist control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and electronic stability control.
Interior of the S Trim
The top-of-the-line trim level is called the S. This premium trim is available on both the sedan and hatchback body styles. Keep in mind that the hatchback version is not available in the LX base trim. The S model comes with advanced features such as keyless entry, keyless truck opener, 60/40 split-folding back seats (hatchback), adjustable headrests, and a center console that doubles as a sliding armrest. Also included on this trim are cruise control, satellite radio, one-touch power windows, an overhead sunglasses holder, an auxiliary jack, and UVO eServices.
Let’s talk for a moment about UVO eServices. This advanced feature helps to create an integrated driving experience at your fingertips. You can use it on your smartphone, and it allows you to get roadside assistance 24/7 at the touch of a button. Also included in the UVO eServices are maintenance and parking minder. With maintenance, you will receive a notification on your phone if the vehicle’s diagnostics detect any issues. You can even schedule a maintenance appointment right from your smartphone. As for the parking minder, this feature will remember your vehicle’s location and remind you where you parked. It can also help out by keeping track of your parking meter so that you can avoid getting a parking ticket. UVO eServices are a fantastic addition to the interior features of the Kia Rio. The interiors offered for both trims are excellent. But what about the exterior?
Exterior Features
On the outside, the main differences can be seen in body styles. Both body styles offer bold lines and modern details for an aerodynamic profile. This petite vehicle can slice through the air like a hot knife through butter. The front end design is athletic yet approachable, featuring the iconic Kia tiger-nose grille in black. The back end design is stylish and wide for a stable stance. In the words, it may be a subcompact car, but it’s a sturdy one! Let’s look more closely at the exterior details.
The Kia Rio LX is a sedan with 15-inch steel wheels, a space-saver spare tire, halogen headlights, and solar control glass. Also included are variable intermittent windshield wipers, heated rear glass with a timer, body-colored heated/power-adjustable side mirrors, body-colored door handles, and a black mesh grille. It comes in three paint colors, including Clear White, Aurora Black, and Silky Silver.
Next, the top-tier S model comes with many of the same exterior features and adds a few new ones. For instance, LED headlights provide enhanced visibility at night and during inclement weather. It is available in six exterior paint colors, including Clear White, Aurora Black, Silky Silver, Phantom Grey, Currant Red, and Deep Sea Blue. If paint colors are important to you, then you should opt for the S trim since it has more options to choose from. It is also important to note that the hatchback body style has a few other exterior features that the sedan counterpart does not. It comes with a rear windshield washer and a rear spoiler.
Different Dimensions
Since the 2020 Kia Rio is offered in two body styles, we thought it would be a good idea to explain the difference in size between the two.
First, the sedan is slightly longer, with an overall length measured at 172.6-inches. The width is 67.9-inches, and the height is 57.1-inches. It has a 5.5-inch ground clearance, and the wheelbase is measured at 101.6-inches. Front seat passengers have a headroom of 38.9-inches, shoulder room of 54.1-inches, hip room of 52.9-inches, and legroom of 42.1-inches. The back seat passengers have a headroom of 37.4-inches, shoulder room of 53.3-inches, hip room of 54.2-inches, and legroom of 33.5-inches. The total passenger volume is 89 cubic feet, and the trunk area offers 13.7 cu.ft. of space with all the seats in the upright position.
The hatchback has more cargo room. However, the exterior measurements are mostly the same. Front seat passengers have a headroom of 38.9-inches, shoulder room of 54.1-inches, hip room of 52.9-inches, and legroom of 42.1-inches. The back seat passengers have a headroom of 38-inches, shoulder room of 53.3-inches, hip room of 52.4-inches, and legroom of 33.5-inches. The total passenger volume is 90.5 cubic feet, and the trunk area offers 17.4 cu.ft. of space with all the seats in the upright position.
The 2020 Kia Rio
Overall, the 2020 Kia Rio has a lot to offer. Both the sedan and hatchback offer space and luxury, just like all Kia vehicles do. Starting at only $15,850, there is no denying the absolute steal it is. It certainly makes sense that the Rio stands out on the small-car market.
