
The Kia Rio is on a par with all the subcompact entries with respect to gas mileage, features, and styling.
But in areas like space and versatility, the Honda Fit in particular has it beat.
The Rio is as roomy as the related Hyundai Accent, and both have high-quality cabins, but neither can beat the Fit in seat comfort or real cargo space.
The hatchback version of the Nissan Versa—the Versa Note—has decent interior room, but handling and styling, especially in its cabin, are a little drab.
The Fiesta gets kudos for its tight steering and sharp lines, but the back seat is cramped, and its sluggish PowerShift automatic transmission, which should add fun versus conventional automatics, subtracts it instead.
The Chevrolet Sonic remains a middle-of-the-market favorite, offering capable handling, perky turbocharged performance, and styling that works well in hatchback form.
And then there's the Mazda 2, which lives at the opposite end of the feature spectrum from the Rio, but as the smallest and lightest in the segment, it's also the most fun to drive; hopefully the expected replacement will address the rather barren interior.
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Quick Specs | ||||
The 2015 Kia Rio is at least competitive among small cars if not the class leader, offering attractive design, plenty of features, and decent value. |
The 2015 Chevrolet Sonic is comfortable, stylish, safe, and drives well, and almost completely blots out our memory of a much worse Chevy Aveo from the past. |
The 2015 Fiesta lineup is proof that small cars don't have to be feature free, and you can even have a bit of fun while saving fuel. |
The 2015 Honda Fit might not up the ante in sportiness, but it offers up exactly what urban small-car shoppers want in safety and convenience features—and it's still as good as some utility vehicles or vans with its wondrous, unmatched Magic Seat setup. |
The 2015 Hyundai Accent emphasizes comfort and equipment over driver enjoyment, and it remains a good value even if it's not as cheap as it once was. |
MSRP From | ||||
$13,990 | $14,245 | $14,455 | $15,650 | $14,745 |
Gas Mileage | ||||
27 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 25 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy | 26 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy | 29 MPG City / 41 MPG Hwy | 26 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy |
Engine | ||||
Regular Unleaded I-4 | Gas I4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 |
EPA Class | ||||
Compact Cars | Compact Cars | Subcompact Cars | Small Station Wagons | Compact Cars |
Style Name | ||||
4-Door Sedan Manual LX | 4-Door Sedan Manual LS | 4-Door Sedan S | 5-Door HB Manual LX | 4-Door Sedan Manual GLS |
Drivetrain | ||||
Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
Passenger Capacity | ||||
5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Passenger Doors | ||||
N/A | 4 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Body Style | ||||
Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Hatchback | Sedan |
Transmission | ||||
Manual w/OD | Manual | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD |
Detailed Spec Comparison | ||||
2015 Kia Rio vs. 2015 Chevrolet Sonic | 2015 Kia Rio vs. 2015 Ford Fiesta | 2015 Kia Rio vs. 2015 Honda Fit | 2015 Kia Rio vs. 2015 Hyundai Accent |