2017 Kia Rio Overview. The base Rio LX trim is outfitted with standard 15-inch steel wheels, intermittent windshield wipers, a tilt steering column, air conditioning, and dual 12-volt power outlets
2017 Kia Rio Overview
The 2017 Kia Rio carries over from last year with only minor
changes. The LX trim is now available in Signal Red and Aurora Black,
while the Digital Yellow paint color and SX trim have been discontinued
entirely. The Rio remains a small and economical sedan with fantastic
fuel economy that frugal buyers will appreciate.
The Rio is offered in base LX trim or the more well-equipped EX, both
featuring a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine good for 138 hp and 123 lb-ft
of torque. The LX comes with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed
automatic transmission, while the EX is available only with the
automatic. Fuel economy is excellent no matter the transmission—the
manual offers an estimated 27 mpg city, 36 highway, and 31 combined,
while the automatic gets 27, 36, and 30—which makes filling up
affordable regardless of gas prices.
The base Rio LX trim is outfitted with standard 15-inch steel wheels,
intermittent windshield wipers, a tilt steering column, air
conditioning, and dual 12-volt power outlets. The audio system comes
with AM/FM/CD/MP3 capabilities, Sirius satellite radio, 4 speakers,
steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, and USB and Aux input jacks.
Seating surfaces are woven cloth, with a 6-way adjustable driver’s seat
and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat to accommodate cargo longer than the
13.7-cubic-foot trunk.
The EX comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, and a
chrome grille surround for a sportier look. Interior enhancements
include a tilt-and-telescopic steering column, a leather-wrapped
steering wheel and shifter knob, knit-cloth seats, a soft-touch dash
pad, padded front-door armrests, and a center console with a sliding
armrest and storage compartment. Black and gray cloth with gray
stitching and leatherette trim can be added, as well as gray stitching
on the steering wheel, shift knob, and armrest.
Safety features on the Rio include antilock brakes (ABS), electronic
stability control, vehicle-stability management, hill-start assist, a
tire-pressure monitoring system, and multiple airbags. The UVO2
infotainment system, available as an option on the EX trim, adds a
reversing camera.
The Rio LX starts at $14,165 with the manual transmission and $15,395
with the automatic. Pricing for the EX trim begins at $17,755, keeping
even the most well-equipped Rio south of the $20,000 mark. Options
packages are equally reasonable and include a $750 Designer package with
upgraded seating and audio, a $800 Power package, and a $600 Eco
package with idle stop-and-go and the UVO2 infotainment system. If
you’re looking for an inexpensive, efficient compact sedan with an
attractive design and affordable options packages, the Rio is worth a
test drive.
