Innovative Answers for Harried Times: 2023 Kia Rio’s Pinnacle of Affordability + Reliability

 

Customers that fill us in constantly on how happy they are with their Kia vehicles frequently bring up reliability, knowing that their vehicle is going to perform well in the long run is a huge factor in their decision. The 2023 Kia Rio is the least expensive in the lineup, and the Motor Biscuit auto team also named it “the best of both worlds” as far as reliability. Ranking third on the list of most affordable cars in the nation, meaning that low price does not have to translate into inferior quality.

Since its powertrain and parts are a bit less complicated, this family-friendly model is less prone to problems overall. The Repairpal team gives the Rio an “excellent” reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5, which is based on severity, frequency, and final cost of any repairs needed. This very affordable sedan undergoes unscheduled repairs at an average of .2 times per year, compared to .4 times for all model types. Less than nine percent of the time, repairs are in the “severe” range.

What consumers must think about annually in terms of repair is always a very important trait, as families nationwide have seen costs rising and are eager to get any break, large or small, at constant costs. Kia has always been very well-known for its generous warranty coverage, and the Rio comes with a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty along with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Rio’s fuel efficiency enthusiastically tops the ratings charts at 32 city/41 highway mpg, guaranteeing excellent savings at the pump.

Enjoying its solid stance against the competition such as the Nissan Versa and Mitsubishi Mirage, the refined suspension tuning is an added benefit for anyone encountering unexpected pots and imperfections during the daily drive. The Motor Trend team was impressed with the value the Rio provides regarding tech features, as it comes equipped with a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the very top Rio S trim costing less than $20,000.

The IIHS gave the 2023 Rio the highest possible “Good” safety rating, and the addition of the Technology Package bundles together forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, lane following assist, high beam assist, driver attention warning, and lane departure warning. In the hatchback variant, the Rio offers a very spacious 17.4 cubic feet of cargo volume. The Rio S trim adds attractive extras such as a 4.2-inch instrument display, automatic climate control, push-button ignition, and rear disc brakes. The U.S News car review team gave the 2023 Rio the “Best Subcompact Ca for the Money” award, along with a 7.8 out of 10 score after their rigorous testing.

Head and legroom are very spacious in the front seats, and there are two complete sets of LATCH connectors for the Rio’s rear outboard seats along with a tether anchor for the rear middle seat. Even though the interior is populated with hard trim plastic pieces, every surface evokes a form of grained texture, and you can easily flip down the rear seats for access to the large and very handy trunk pass-through. Reviews from satisfied owners also conveyed that one of the Rio’s high points is the very easy-to-use controls and the touchscreen infotainment system that possesses a very straightforward logic and demeanor.

Numerous Kia Models Enjoy Top Honors in Motor Trend’s “Ultimate Car Rankings”

When all the various awards of the season begin to triumphantly roll out, we get excited here at Jim Butler Kia of Saint Louis as we know that many of our models can have what it takes to nail down top honors! Nine Kia models were recognized during Motor Trend’s “Ultimate Car Rankings” for the second half of 2022, with more than half of the podium winners now being electrified vehicles. The 2022 EV6 took the top spot In the “Electric SUV” category, as electrified vehicles are receiving an enormous vote of confidence for the brand. 

The 2023 Telluride, 2022 Rio Sedan, and Rio Hatchback all came in first place in the 3-row SUV, compact sedan, and subcompact hatchback segments. The 2022 Niro and Sorento Hybrid both took second place in the Compat Hybrid Hatch and Compact Hybrid SUV categories, all rankings that provide very positive reinforcement for the current state of advancements in electrification. As our Plan S strategy continues to make progress, we expect other various forms of recognition for stellar design and fine-honed leadership potential. 

Motor Trend’s “Ultimate Car Rankings” were set in place in 2020 to provide help with the average car buyer’s task of gaining a deeper understanding when it comes to their options. Using some of the fundamentals established in their long-standing Car, Truck, and SUV of the Year merit programs, the current ranking system evaluates how a car drives, long-term value, safety, driving range, efficiency, technology, and other traits for customer satisfaction. This process that deemed Kia such a dominating yearly success was steadily evolving for decades, and on a 10-point scale, scores most vehicles at around a 7 average. 

The Driving Performance is the solid foundation of the Performance of Intended Function in rankings after testing cars on a track they are evaluated at their limits as well as what they're like on the daily drive. Armed with the mantra that a well-engineered car will give you the best confidence in nearly any driving situation, there is also a fair amount of data captured on how much space the vehicle has for the occupants and their belongings. Motor Trend has always also done well in the technology category for ranking cars because they understand that it’s not always about how huge an infotainment screen is, but how well it can perform in different demanding situations. 

Knowing that drivers will be making payments for some time after the brand-new luster wears off of the car, the Motor Trend experts also put a very detailed amount of analysis into the five-year cost-of-ownership data points such as overall depreciation, repair costs, insurance, financing, and the all-important cost at the pump. The system at use here that ultimately celebrated the Kia brand wholeheartedly had a well-balanced blend of subjective and objective data, and the finalizing algorithm considered the needs of many different varieties of buyers.

2022 Kia Rio Praised by Car and Driver for Luxury Handling, A-Grade Hatchback Practicality

At Jim Butler Kia in St. Louis, we have always been focused on providing budget car options for our loyal customers. Fuel efficient and affordable yet arriving onto the lot with a pleasing amount of driving sophistication and features for the price, this subcompact is available as a sedan or hatchback!

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard equipment, and the Rio’s character and many sensible features were enough to earn it a spot on the Car and Driver 2022 Editor’s Choice list. Upgrading to the S model provides a center armrest, cruise control, useful rear USB outlet, split-folding rear seat with adjustable headrests, and keyless entry. The S also offers forward-collision warning with automated emergency braking, SiriusXM satellite radio, LED headlights, and more cargo space.

The 2021 Hatchback model that was ready for testing got up to 60 mph in just 8.6 seconds which is directly on par with many subcompact crossovers. The Rio does well with the road’s nastier bumps, thanks to its solid structure and suspension with Kia’s well-known fine tuning. Body roll in corners is well under control and the steering rings are nicely weighted and very precise. The EPA has rated the Rio sedan and hatchback with 33 mpg city and 41 highway stats.

Even with a high dose of simplicity as the predominant theme for the Rio, it offers up a clean, very easy-to-use dashboard with climate and audio controls. It also superior textures and a sophisticated vibe for a compact. The Rio now comes standard with an 8.0-inch touchscreen that offers the latest wireless smartphone-mirroring options for both Android and Apple phones. There’s also the option to upgrade on the S trim level that provides the addition of Kia’s UVO telematics system and the diverse entertainment of SiriusXM satellite radio. 

While on the road in style, you’ll be protected with the help of forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, and automated emergency braking. Powertrain warranty at Jim Butler provides limited warranty coverage for five years or 60,000 miles, and powertrain warranty for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Come visit us during this fun and celebratory Super Bowl week and check out the Kia Rio and our large selection of vehicles that we know you will fall in love with! 

Consumer Guide Automotive Graces Kia Brand With Holiday Cheer in the Form of Four “Best Buy” Awards

 As 2020 draws to a close, all of us here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis are pleased to announce that the Soul, Seltos, Rio, and Telluride have been officially named 2021 Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy Award winners. The Soul's seventh consecutive win marks a holiday's milestone as the longest-running streak in history for the Subcompact Crossover category. The Telluride enjoyed its second time taking top honors and displayed in many ways the spirit that Kia has consistently evoked to “Give it Everything” 110% of the time. 

The 2021 Kia Telluride fully outshines the mid-size SUV competition in many vital categories. Offering high levels of luxury and utility, it is widely-hailed as being the best in its segment for offering upper-end features at a low cost. The top-of-the-line SX model comes with black 20-inch rims, blind-spot monitoring, a Harman/Kardon audio system, front and rear sunroofs, and second-row captain's chairs. Don't forget to include the SX Prestige package when you engage in a test drive, as here you'll enjoy the additions of a head-up display, heated and ventilated second-row seats, and Nappa leather upholstery. 

The 2021 Kia Soul now receives a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine cranking out 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The EX trim adds heated mirrors, sunroof, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with navigation, and a wireless charging pad. Offering plenty of space and a funky character, this is an affordable crossover/hatchback with the X-line and GT-Line models now both receiving a suspension upgrade for the new year. With a uniquely squared-off design, it also provides 62.1 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded down.

The 2021 Kia Seltos is another one of our compelling and feature-rich SUV offerings that sees a fantastic blend of style, value, and versatility. It offers sharp handling with a taller ride height, spacious cabin, and plenty of technology. You'll be under the completely solid and high-tech protection level with features such as lane-centering assist, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. The star of an awesome Super Bowl commercial and loaded with just about everything, it can be decked out with up to three USB charging ports, a head-up display, and an optional 8-speaker Bose audio system. 

The 2021 Kia Rio features a new design this year with a narrower tiger-nose grille and full LED headlights and integral running lights. There's also an 8-inch widescreen for infotainment, and the 4.2-inch digital cluster has been upgraded to provide higher resolution. Standard and GT-Line models are now equipped with driver and optional front passenger seat height adjustability, and the Rio also boasts Kia's very first new mild-hybrid setup pairing our Smartstream 1.0-liter turbocharged gasoline direct injection engine with a revolutionary 48 MHEV system.

Kia Rio Brand-new Facelift Examined Close-up by Motor1.com

The Brand new Kia Rio was first shown to the public in January of this year when spy shots of a prototype with huge amounts of camouflage were circulated over the many automotive news sources online. Now five months later, the honed-in development work on the subcompact hatchback we love so much here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis is done and everyone can take a moment to greet the new Rio face-lift. It has gained a more simplified front fascia with a slightly more aggressive and wider bumper with new fog lamp housing.

There is also the introduction of a full-LED headlight setup on every model as standard, and two new exterior colors are available plus a set of 16-inch and new 8-spoke design. Inside the cabin, the most drastic change is the larger 8.0-inch screen on the center console, and the 4.2-inch digital display in the driver's instrument cluster. The GT-Line models sport special carbon fiber-like trim, and a few new customization options are available. The most important upgrade is now hidden underneath the skin, where there is the introduction of a new 1.0-liter mild-hybrid engine to replace the Rio's earlier Kappa 1.0 T-GDi.

 

This new electrified powertrain sees the combination of an integrated starter-generator for lowered carbon dioxide emissions of approximately 8 percent with a 3-cylinder combustion engine. It will offer the same peak power as the engine before it... 100 or 120 horsepower, and be paired to a newly-developed manual transmission that provides electronic control of the clutch. This fascinating “clutch-by-wire” gearbox completes seamless integration with the mild-hybrid system to switch off the engine earlier that the start-stop function when easing to a halt. The non-hybrid 1.0-liter gasoline engine will from now on be available with a new 6-speed manual gearbox, as well as seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

There will also be the base naturally-aspirated 1.2-liter gas engine with a peak power of 84 horsepower, and this refreshed Rio is slated to go on sale in Europe during the third quarter of 2020. We'll keep you posted right here on the blog about further findings on the US release date, and any other details that we find as we glean the web for news. The addition of the Perennial Gray and Sporty Blue brings the total number of paint options to nine, and onboard is also the UVO Connect “Phase II” telematics features.

The 2021 Kia Rio also brings to the table an array of our brand's latest Advanced Driving Assistance System, such as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian, vehicle and cyclist recognition, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning, and Blind Collision Warning. The telematics features take the stress out of long journeys by enhancing the vehicle's connectivity and control, by means of offering live traffic information, weather forecasts, and fuel prices along the way.

Kia Rio and Stinger Hailed as Best-of-the-Best in J.D. Power 2018 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout Study

High awards and accolades are two of the main reasons that many customers repeat their purchases of Kia vehicles. Kia has now earned two more J.D. Power Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout awards for its stylish subcompact, and the powerful fastback sports sedan. This double win helped increase Kia's overall score by 8 points in the last year, while solidifying the brand's spot among the top 10 non-premium contenders. All of us here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis were also pleased with Kia motors being named the highest ranked mass-market brand in J.D. Power Initial Quality Study for the fourth consecutive year, with our beloved Rio also snagging a win in the smaller car segment.

Every Kia is designed with the customer in mind, whether it be a practical commuter car for people needing to get from point A to B, or a sports sedan with up to 365-horsepower for speed-hungry drivers. Securing an award such as this once again demonstrates the level of dedication we put on delivering a superior combination of the desirable features and attributes that today's savvy and demanding car buyers are looking for in their purchase.

The Rio went through a complete redesign for the 2018 model year, outshining the competition in the small car segment, and also being one of the only contenders that scored the highest marks in overall performance and design, comfort, features, and style. Our prized Stinger is the highest-performing vehicle in Kia's history, and also came up quite well when head-to-head with more expensive European counterparts in the very desirable compact premium car segment.

The J.D. Power APEAL study completes the task of measuring new-vehicle owners' overall satisfaction with their purchase during the first 90 days of ownership. The results are divided into 10 categories, and weighted to the specific category: exterior, interior, storage, audio, seats, heating and ventilation, driving dynamics, powertrain, visibility, and fuel economy. Car And Driver rated the Rio with 4 stars, and claimed it as a model that “easily fulfills its modest ambitions.” One of the most refined subcompacts on the market, it is known for very pleasant road manners, and a no-nonsense design inside and out. Powered by a 1.6-liter I-4 with 130 hp, and a 119 lb-ft torque delivery, and don’t forget about the manual transmission available for the base LX trim.

Ask us when you visit about moving up to the S trim: this is when you see the addition of a rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity, additional USB ports, cruise control, keyless entry, and a six-speaker audio system. The range-topping EX trim adds 15-inch alloy wheels, a 3.5-inch multi-informational display, automatic emergency braking, and Kia's UVO3 infotainment system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration with a 7.0-inch touchscreen. A recent Motor Trend review stated about the Rio that “It's fun and jaunty-looking on the outside, and the interior seals the deal.” We invite you to check out this award-winning and fun SUV before the beginning of the 2019 year, and talk to our staff about a lease to get you situated in a remarkable and award-winning Rio!

The Allure of the Sizzling 4th Generation Subcompact: The Rio Sedan

Sweeping releases with a very eye-catching design and extensive list of features, the new-for-2018 Rio sedan and 5-door are the latest additions to the exciting Kia family. Designed from the ground up in Kia's European studios as well as the U.S., there are many reasons to be excited about this awesome vehicle that you'll soon see heating up our lot right here in St. Louis. This vehicle has the necessary awesome convenience technologies loaded up on board: the 7-inch touchscreen interface and UV03 with Apple CarPlay will assure that you will be able to do your navigating in style, as well as enjoying your music with the latest and greatest of features. Android Auto is also included, with larger touch targets, an interface that is greatly simplified, and very easy-to-use voice actions.

When you are getting your loved ones from point A to B, or making sure that you get to work on time with a crowded commute, cruising confidently when it comes to quick stops is going to be one of the top items on your list. The autonomous Energy Braking on board is designed to detect and monitor vehicles that are traveling ahead of you, and determine if a crash is remotely possible. If it is, the brakes will automatically be applied, drastically reducing the chance of you having a dangerous accident as opposed to a smooth ride. Since most drivers simply do not have the force to avoid a crash, they sometimes do not break at all, because there may not be sufficient time for them to react. With a system like this that has your back as you are out and about, you can relax a bit and know that the manufacturer has your extended safety on the top of their list.

As far as the front end is concerned, the look is overall a bit sportier and has a loftier air of sophistication than the previous models. The front end sports the latest of the 'tiger-nose' grille, with souped-up headlights that are swept back for an edgier, more modern and playful appearance. The overall length of the Rio sedan has been upped .6", and the 5-door shares the same spec. Both the sedan and the 5-door are lower and wider, which makes for a more aggressive poise than on last year's offering. The rear of the Rio is noticeably more upright, due to shorter overhangs and tail lighting with a thinner aesthetic. The interior has a much more spacious feel, and the dashboard's exterior design give the cabin a feel that is wider.

A higher amount of leg room and shoulder room in the second row will be welcomed warmly if you are making the trip out to any of the amazing neighboring cities in Missouri, or headed to get in touch with nature for a precious view. This car weighs in at around 2,648 lbs, and engineers have sought to cultivate the driving experience with ride comfort that has improved, while your comfort factor for your next ride should be off the charts. Come down to the dealership and visit with us today: we are excited about the arrival of these new vehicles in the fall, and the stock currently on deck. We will see to it that you leave feeling satisfied, and that all of your questions about the most innovative product line in the nation are answered during your decision.

Coming Soon: The All-New Kia Rio

If you’re a Kia Rio fan, you’re going to want to check this out. Kia has recently unveiled sketches of its all-new, overhauled fourth generation Rio and there is excitement worldwide. The vehicle will make its official world debut at the 2016 Paris Motor show next month. Production for Europe will begin at the end of 2016, however, production times for other regions have not yet been announced.

As you can see, the new Kia Rio has received a sporty makeover- with an even lower and wider look than before. The iconic ‘Tiger Nose’ grille has been stretched out to reach the headlights, which have a slimmer look themselves and straight, smooth lines offer an overall balanced appearance. The interior will house a large display screen, of course featuring “the latest technology features” Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Though we’re not sure when we’ll be getting this car, we are sure it’s going to be a hit, especially for our St. Louis Kia drivers! We’ll be sure to update you when we hear more!

KIA Tops Rankings in 2016 J.D. Power Study

KIA Motors was recently recognized by J.D Power as the highest scoring nameplate in its annual Initial Quality Study (IQS). All 33 makes in the U.S. are evaluated in this study, so needless to say, it was a huge feat for KIA. This marks the first time in 27 years that a non-premium brand has topped the rankings. 

These IQS rankings are determined by the owners of vehicles, who evaluate the driving experience, engine and transmission performance, and a range of quality-related problems that may occur within the first 90 days of ownership.

Contributing to KIA’s success is the segment-leading performances from the Sportage and Soul. Additionally, the Forte, Rio, and Sorento all ranked in the top three of their respective categories. KIA’s sales in the U.S. have grown consistently over the last four years, as have their performance in the J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study. In 2013, they made it to the the overall top 10, placing second in the industry and led all non-premium makes in IQS in 2015.

Michael Sprague, chief operating officer and EVP, KIA Motors America states, “Ranking number one in the entire industry for initial quality is the result of Kia’s decade-long focus on craftsmanship and continuous improvement, and reflects the voice of our customers, which is the ultimate affirmation. As the highest ranked brand in the industry, there is no doubt Kia is a world-class automaker.” 
 
Visit us at Jim Butler KIA in St. Louis, Missouri to test out the KIA Sportage, Soul, Forte, Rio, or Sorento for yourself!

Source: KIA Media