SUMMARY
When it comes down to it, the Kia 2022 Rio 5-Door S is meant for budget-conscious drives that want a fuel-efficient yet reliable car of their own. What’s special about this one is how much it has in store for drivers despite the lower price point. It’s already fitted with lots of infotainment features as well as a powertrain that’s suitable for the urban environment it’s made for. Although driver-assistive features are sparce with this one, we feel it makes up for it just by being such an affordable option in a market with rising prices. This 2022 Rio 5-Door S review will look into the specs and features that make it such an alluring option against a sea of similar rivals.
LATEST
There’s not much in the way of major changes for the 2022 Rio 5-Door S. Mostly, improvements were made to the anti-theft system and an engine immobilizer was made standard on all models. The car’s exterior and interior the brand’s new logo as well, being the last one to receive this change.
ESTIMATED PRICE
For Kia’s newest release, the 2022 Rio 5-Door S is the only offered trim level for all buyers. It comes standard with a host of features that give it some respectable comfortability and performance. An optional technology package is also available, allowing drivers to make use of additional driver-assistive features. For the roster of 2022 Rio 5-Door S colors, buyers can choose from a small variety of paints and seat trims. 6 paint schemes are available ranging from Currant Red, Aurora Black, Sporty Blue, and many more. Seat trims come in 2 options: Black or Grey Tricot with Woven Cloth elements.
| Trim (Drivetrain) | MSRP* |
| 2022 Kia Rio 5-Door S | $17,190* |
As with most of Kia’s vehicles, the 2022 Rio 5-Door S lease price is listed on their official website alongside other financing options. If you’re looking for a better way to pay off your dream car, then this might be a good choice for you. Make sure to check with your preferred car dealer as well to ensure you’re getting the best deal you can in your local area.
MACHINE PERFORMANCE
The 2022 Rio 5-Door S specs show that it’s a no-nonsense car that goes for efficiency instead of raw performance. The powertrain under the hood is a 1.6-Liter Inline 4-Cylinder Engine that’s capable of 120 horsepower and 112 pounds-feet of torque. This is all paired by an Intelligent Variable Transmission or IVT that’s a main reason for the car’s impressive fuel efficiency. All models solely come in front-wheel drive configurations. Steering and Handling is managed by an Electric Motor Driven Power Steering setup that gives the Rio decent precision. However, we do note that it feels quite weighty and doesn’t offer that much feedback to the driver.
FUEL EFFICIENT & ACTUAL MPG
The EPA has already released its official estimate of the MPG ratings of the 2022 Rio 5-Door S. Its sole available powertrain does a great job in conserving fuel, topping rival contenders in this category. We expect the 36 MPG/Combined rating to be an enticing call for those fuel-conscious drivers that want a reliable but affordable vehicle.
| Trim Mileage Estimates | City/mpg | Highway/mpg | Combined/mpg |
| 2022 Rio 5-Door S | 33 | 41 | 36 |
INTERIOR, SOLACE & BAGGAGE
Kia’s work on the 2022 Rio 5-Door S interior focuses more on a minimalistic simplicity. The cabin is clean and neatly laid out, making sure that drivers can easily navigate all its different options and features. Material-wise, the cabin is filled with hard plastic elements that are given a decent texture and maintain the appearance of a mature and straightforward vehicle. For passenger capacity, the Rio 5-Door S can fit 5 passengers within 90.5 cubic feet of passenger space. All seats come with a Tricot & Woven Cloth seat trim which can be customized to either Black or Grey color schemes. The driver seat is adjustable in 6-ways while the rear seat can be folded in a 60/40 manner. Cargo capacity on the Rio 5-Door S is only 17.4 cubic feet with the rear seats set upright. This could be good for smaller families or solo drivers that don’t need too much storage space for their day-to-day drives.
TECHNOLOGY
Even with its lower price point, the 2022 Rio 5-Door S has a respectable infotainment suite included. An 8.0-inch touchscreen display is used to navigate the cabin’s different functions like climate control and audio systems. Kia Connect is available to drivers who availed of the S Technology Package, giving drivers access to the company’s roster of connected services. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are all supported alongside Bluetooth functions for both audio streaming and hands-free phone usage. Also included is Siri Eyes Free compatibility, a service from Apple that allows Siri voice recognition while on the road and driving. For audio systems, the 2022 Rio 5-Door S comes standard with a 6-speaker setup that includes front tweeters. An AM/FM/MP3 Radio system also comes standard with SiriusXM Satellite Radio services available as an option.
SAFETY
The safety suite of the 2022 Rio 5-Door S is quite simplistic in nature, especially with how it doesn’t come standard with a lot of driver-assistive features. All of these are available through the S Technology Package which costs an additional $1,800. Included with this package are features like Auto Emergency Braking, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assists, Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keeping Assists, and Lane Following Assists.
WARRANTY
Kia’s warranty plan is well known for being one of the most generous terms on the market right now. Their limited warranty plan spans 5 years or the first 60,000 miles driven, whichever comes first. Next is their powertrain warranty which is the gem of the whole package. Its available for drivers for a whole 10 years with a mileage limit of 100,000 miles driven. They also offer 5-year terms for both anti-perforation warranty and roadside assistance services. The company does not offer any plan or package involving complimentary scheduled maintenance.