2013 Chevrolet Sonic vs 2013 Kia Rio

2013 Chevrolet Sonic

2013 Kia Rio

Select style

4-Door Sedan Automatic LS

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Sonic 4-Door Sedan Automatic LS	25	35	$14,898	$15,280
Sonic 4-Door Sedan Automatic LT	25	35	$16,248	$16,925
Sonic 4-Door Sedan Automatic LTZ	25	35	$17,655	$18,585
Sonic 4-Door Sedan Manual LS	26	35	$13,830	$14,185
Sonic 4-Door Sedan Manual LT	26	35	$15,014	$15,640
Sonic 4-Door Sedan Manual LTZ	26	35	$16,387	$17,250
Sonic 5-Door HB Automatic LS	25	35	$15,483	$15,880
Sonic 5-Door HB Automatic LT	25	35	$16,824	$17,525
Sonic 5-Door HB Automatic LTZ	25	35	$18,225	$19,185
Sonic 5-Door HB Automatic RS	25	33	$20,396	$21,470
Sonic 5-Door HB Manual LS	26	35	$14,415	$14,785
Sonic 5-Door HB Manual LT	26	35	$15,590	$16,240
Sonic 5-Door HB Manual LTZ	26	35	$16,957	$17,850
Sonic 5-Door HB Manual RS	27	34	$19,175	$20,185

Select style

4-Door Sedan Automatic EX

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Rio 4-Door Sedan Automatic EX	28	36	$15,730	$16,500
Rio 4-Door Sedan Automatic LX	28	36	$14,200	$14,700
Rio 4-Door Sedan Automatic SX	28	36	$16,870	$17,700
Rio 4-Door Sedan Manual LX	29	37	$13,340	$13,600
Rio 5-Door HB Automatic EX	28	36	$15,930	$16,700
Rio 5-Door HB Automatic LX	28	36	$14,400	$14,900
Rio 5-Door HB Automatic SX	28	36	$17,070	$17,900
Rio 5-Door HB Manual LX	29	37	$13,530	$13,800
Rio 5-Door HB Manual SX	29	37	$17,070	$17,900

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$14,898

$15,730

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$15,280

$16,500

Monthly Payment Estimate

$255 / month

$275 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.8

Read Our Full Review

7.6

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2013 Chevrolet Sonic swaps econobox blues for sporty driving feel as well as safety, refinement, and comfort.

The 2013 Kia Rio is no longer an also-ran--it's a tough contender in a class filled with efficient, good-looking, smartly priced subcompacts.

TCC Likes

Smooth and quiet ride
Steering has good weight and feel
Seats are comfortable, and sized right

Euro-inspired looks
High-rent cabin
Smooth drivetrain

TCC Dislikes

Base engine is boomy and coarse
Mushy brake pedal
USB missing from base model

Less interior room than Accent, Fit
Back seat is tight for adults
Not truly quick, like Sonic

Fuel Economy

City

25 mpg

28 mpg

Highway

35 mpg

36 mpg

Vehicle

Number of Passenger Doors

EPA Classification

Compact Cars

Compact

Interior Dimensions

Second Shoulder Room (in)

53.00

52.100

Front Leg Room (in)

41.80

43.800

Passenger Volume (ft³)

90.4

88.400

Front Hip Room (in)

51.40

52.100

Second Leg Room (in)

34.60

31.100

Front Head Room (in)

38.70

40.000

Passenger Capacity

Second Hip Room (in)

51.60

51.200

Front Shoulder Room (in)

53.40

53.100

Second Head Room (in)

37.80

37.600

Exterior Dimensions

Height, Overall (in)

59.70

57.300

Track Width, Rear (in)

59.40

60.000

Wheelbase (in)

99.40

101.200

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

68.30

67.700

Track Width, Front (in)

59.40

59.900

Min Ground Clearance (in)

4.90

5.500

Length, Overall (in)

173.10

171.900

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

14.9

13.700

Brakes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.300 x 0.400

Brake Type

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

9.00 x - TBD -

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.80 x - TBD -

10.100 x 0.900

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

12.2

11.400

Steering

Steering Type

Electric Pwr Steering

Electric Pwr

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

2.80

2.800

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

14.1

15.500

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

34.50

34.500

Tires

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Q1H

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P195/65R15

P185/65R15

Rear Tire Order Code

Q1H

Front Tire Size

P195/65R15

P185/65R15

Trailering

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

2727

2403

Wheels

Rear Wheel Size (in)

15 x - TBD -

15 x 5.5

Front Wheel Material

Steel

Spare Wheel Material

- TBD -

Front Wheel Size (in)

15 x - TBD -

15 x 5.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Steel

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

- TBD -

6.3

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

100

110

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

438

540

Engine

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

138 @ 6300

Engine Type

Gas I4

Fuel System

Electronic Fuel Injection

Direct Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

125 @ 3800

123 @ 4850

Engine Order Code

LUW

Displacement

1.8L/110

1.6L/97

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Reverse Ratio (:1)

2.94

3.440

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.90

2.720

Trans Order Code

MH9

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.47

3.270

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.45

1.390

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.70

0.770

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.45

4.400

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.91

1.830

Trans Type

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

1.000

Trans Description Cont. Again

Summary

Vehicle Name

Chevrolet Sonic

Kia Rio

Body Style

Sedan

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson Strut

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

0.790

Suspension Type - Rear

Torsion Beam

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

4.7

5.9

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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