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# 2018 Kia Rio 5-door EX - Roadblazing DHS Budget Small Car Review
- URL: https://www.roadblazing.com/2018-kia-rio-5-door-ex-roadblazing-dhs-budget-small-car-review/
- Published: 2018-04-22T19:01:00.000Z
- Updated: 2024-05-06T07:54:34.000Z
- Author: Tomasz Paluch
- Tags: Hatchbacks

(Contributing Editor: George Straton)

#### Recently Roadblazing.com / "ChicagoNow Drive...He Said" reviewed a new [2018 Hyundai Accent sedan](https://www.roadblazing.com/2018-hyundai-accent-limited-roadblazing-dhs-budget-small-sedan-review/) assessing it a much improved and high value Budget Small Car.

#### As esteemed an entry new vehicle that the 2018 Hyundai Accent is, it bowed with a minor caveat of disappointment. For the first time, the new Accent is not being offered as a hatchback here in the U.S.

#### Instead, Hyundai has ceded 5-door liftgate versatility to the sibling Kia brand. See the 2018 Kia Stinger.

#### The last generation Kia Rio SX 5-door hatchback had dreams of Pocket Rocket. Remember those stunning 17" alloy wheels bound in 205/45 series rubber and the aluminum clad driver's pedals?

#### A redesigned 2018 Kia Rio EX 5-door trades away most of that previous aspirational sporty focus for more practicality and strides in refinement.

#### *Must Haves:*

**√** Low M.S.R.P:

*from* **$15,095** for base trim w/ 6-speed manual *to* **$19,595** for a loaded **2018 Kia Rio 5-door EX (**omitting the **$500 Launch Edition Package)**. That = a reasonable $300 upcharge from the 4-door sedan. The **2018 Kia Rio EX** is priced $180 less than the top trim [Hyundai Accent Limited sedan](https://www.roadblazing.com/2018-hyundai-accent-limited-roadblazing-dhs-budget-small-sedan-review/), though missing some key **Accent Limited** features.

**√** Low transaction price:

Check Kia.com & Kia dealers for their extensive purchase, finance incentives.

Caveat: Kia does not yet offer a program analogous to *Hyundai's* [***Shopper Assurance***](https://www.hyundaiusa.com/shopperassurance?ref=roadblazing.com)

*However, in our experience, reputable new car dealers may allow prospective purchasers to rent a service loaner vehicle for extended test drive purposes.*  

**√** Sufficient capacity, Versatile use of space:

![2018 Kia Rio 5 door EX: Lower cargo floor + perpendicular liftgate = 16% under-hatch cargo space > previous generation](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/04/RB-2018-Kia-Rio-5dr-EX-cargo-004d.jpg)

2018 Kia Rio 5 door EX: Lower cargo floor + perpendicular liftgate = 16% under-hatch cargo space > previous generation

Front buckets suit wide range of body types, though cushions are on short side; Forward & side visibility are usable; Cargo parcel shelf partially impedes rear visibility; Crisp white on black dial gauges include TFT trip data display, Finger friendly switches, pleasing to wind rotary dials; Front door / Rear door pocket storage = Good / Meh.

![2018 Kia Rio 5 door EX: cockpit is airy, instrumentation highly legible, control layout logically placed](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/04/RB-2018-Kia-Rio-5dr-EX-cockpit-P1270526-bd.jpg)

2018 Kia Rio 5 door EX: cockpit is airy, instrumentation highly legible, control layout logically placed

*For Comparison's Sake*: **2018 Kia Rio 5-door** vs. **2012 Kia Rio 5-door** passenger volume, rear legroom & under hatch cargo volume = +2% , +2.4"-inches, +16% respectively.

**√** Above average fuel economy, without hybrids or diesel power:

33 miles per gallon in combined driving, 450 mile highway range on 87 octane unleaded fuel.

**√** Adequate highway on-ramp merge acceleration

Surprisingly un-taxed acceleration off line; Manumatic down-shifts are delayed;

**√** Acceptable ride/ handling

The top 2018 Rio trim available stateside is stuck with 185 mm all-season tires on 15" wheels; Mission accomplished when it comes to compliant urban cruising; Faster responding steering improves higher speed agility; The 4-wheel disc brake equipped EX pedal feel is urban agreeable.

**√** Fitted & Finished:

![2018 Kia Rio 5 door EX: driver's entry](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/04/RB-2018-Kia-Rio-5dr-EX-driver-entry-004d.jpg)

2018 Kia Rio 5 door EX: driver's entry

Hard, though tight grained, plastics abound; EX Launch Edition trim seating and door armrests = split leather, peculiar embossed & low on aroma; Liftgate closes with low effort; Engine sound distantly muted from cabin; 30% torsional rigidity > 2017 Kia Rio, but some cold weather panel creak detected;

**√** Low maintenance costs and good warranty

10 year / 100,000 miles powertrain (diminishing to 5 yr. / 60k on resale); 5 year / 60,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranties

**√** Styling that isn't too radical

![2018 Kia Rio 5 door EX: Comes of age with decisively more mature profile, practicality and driving characteristics](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/04/RB-2018-Kia-Rio-5dr-EX-ext-sideBySide007d.jpg)

2018 Kia Rio 5 door EX: Comes of age with decisively more mature profile, practicality and driving characteristics

A more upright silhouette and vertical liftgate project an airy cabin and grant increased cargo space; Headlights are swept back farther; bow-tie black grille extends wider; An assertively prominent lower fascia chin gains corner intakes for assertiveness;

**√** Power windows (driver's full express: SX, EX), door locks, automatically shifting transmission (opt. LX), air conditioning;

*Also standard:* Dual vanity sun-visors, (illuminated on S and up); Tilt (LX, S) + telescoping steering wheel (EX); Front and rear overhead map lights;

**√** Good safety feature set & ratings:

9 airbags (incl. driver's & front pax knee), Rear view camera w/ park guidance grid (S, EX); Automatic lights;

IIHS: **N**ot \[yet\] **R**ated; cousin 2018 Hyundai Accent = IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus.

![2018 Kia Rio 5 door EX: rear camera with predictive grid lines](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/04/RB-2018-Kia-Rio-5dr-EX-rear-camera-005d.jpg)

2018 Kia Rio 5 door EX: rear camera with predictive grid lines

#### *Prefer to Have & Make Life Easier Behind the Wheel:*

**√** Bluetooth handsfree phone & audio connectivity (S, EX)

**√** Cruise control (S, EX)

**√** Touch infotainment display: 5"-inch touch LCD display FM/AM Audio with CD/ Aux (LX,S)

7" semi-dash top mounted UVO 3-pane touch LCD screen, 6-speaker audio Android Auto / Apple Car Play with voice recognition Bluetooth (EX)

**√** USB x 1 ports, (2nd USB port 2nd Row - S and up), 12V x 1 power ports

**√** Front overhead console retracting sunglasses caddy (S, EX)

#### *Nice To Have But Can Live Without:*

**√** Rear disc brakes (EX)

**√** Cabin comfort: Leather seats and cabin trim (EX Launch Pkg.)

**√** Power extras: Switch-blade type keyless entry (S, EX)

**√** Driver assist technology:

(EX only): Forward Collision Warning, City Collision Avoidance braking

#### *Wish It Had But Doesn't:*

**\-1**: **2018 Kia Rio EX** *lacks* cousin Hyundai Accent Limited's keyless entry/ start, automatic climate control, heated front seats, blind spot & rear cross traffic warning.

#### *Which to Skip, Which to Pick:*

One's must pay to play as in Android Auto/ Apple Car Play on the **EX** exclusive 7.0" inch UVO pod infotainment screen; $500 for leather seating without heating in front?? It's nice that the base **LX** features a 6-speed manual transaxle, but it isn't so nice that it lacks cruise control and Bluetooth hands-free communication;

*SMART BUY* \= the mid-tier **S** model with many of the EX conveniences.

#### Buying Tips:

**1)** When possible, locate an outgoing model year vehicle. They come with greater manufacturer sale and lease incentives.

**2)** Do Your Homework." Scour manufacturer websites for "Rebates", "Incentives" or "Special Offers."

**3)** Be flexible on options and colors. Be willing to consider what other consumers might readily pass on.