The 2021 Kia Rio range has grown to include a new SX variant, which adds some luxury niceties to the base S trim.
Rio prices range from $19,090 before on-road costs for the S manual to $24,990 before on-roads for the GT-Line auto.
Kia offers nationwide drive-away offers, however.
UPDATE, 3/6/2021 – A new SX variant has joined the range, while the rest of the range received a $500 price increase earlier this year. We’ve updated this article and brought it forward.
The company added a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for 2021.
The Sport has also picked up autonomous emergency braking and lane-keeping assist, previously exclusive to the flagship GT-Line.
The new SX grade doesn’t include these additional safety features.
Based on the entry-level S, it adds features like leatherette trim for the steering wheel, shifter and seats, as well as a sunroof, privacy glass and cruise control.
A full list of features for each grade is located further down in this article.
Though a Rio sedan was available in the past and is sold in other markets, the current, fourth generation is sold only as a hatchback in Australia and battles rivals such as the Mazda 2, MG 3, Suzuki Swift and Toyota Yaris.
Pricing
- 2021 Kia Rio S manual: $19,090
- 2021 Kia Rio SX manual: $20,090
- 2021 Kia Rio Sport manual: $20,590
- 2021 Kia Rio S auto: $21,390
- 2021 Kia Rio SX auto: $22,390
- 2021 Kia Rio Sport auto: $22,890
- 2021 Kia Rio GT-Line auto: $24,990
All prices exclude on-road costs.
Kia is currently offering the following nationwide drive-away pricing:
- 2021 Kia Rio S manual: $20,490
- 2021 Kia Rio S auto: $21,490
- 2021 Kia Rio SX manual: $21,990
- 2021 Kia Rio Sport manual: $22,490
- 2021 Kia Rio SX auto: $22,990
- 2021 Kia Rio Sport auto: $23,490
- 2021 Kia Rio GT-Line auto: $25,990
Engines
The 2021 Kia Rio range comes with a choice of two engines.
The S, SX and Sport use a naturally-aspirated 1.4-litre four-cylinder with 74kW of power and 133Nm of torque, mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
The range-topping Rio GT-Line has a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine with 74kW and 172Nm. It’s mated exclusively to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Fuel Economy
The 2021 Kia Rio consumes 5.6L/100km on the combined cycle when equipped with the six manual transmission and 6.0L/100km with the automatic.
The punchiest powertrain is also the thriftiest. The range-topping Rio GT-Line has a combined fuel economy rating of 5.3L/100km.
All models have a 45L fuel tank and run on 91RON regular unleaded fuel.
Dimensions
The 2021 Kia Rio measures 4065mm long (4070mm in the GT-Line), 1450mm tall and 1725mm wide on a 2580mm long wheelbase.
The Kia Rio’s total luggage space is 325L or 980L with the rear seats folded.
Servicing
All 2021 Kia Rio models with the 1.4-litre require servicing every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. The Rio GT-Line requires servicing every 10,000km.
Kia offers seven years of capped-price servicing. The GT-Line has an average service cost of $471 over seven years, while all other Rios have an average cost of $421.
Safety
When the Kia Rio was tested by ANCAP in 2017, it received a rating of five stars. That was based on a frontal offset crash rating of 14.52 out of 16 and a side impact score of 16 out of 16, while whiplash and pedestrian protection were rated Good and Acceptable, respectively.
All 2021 Kia Rio models come standard with anti-lock brakes and front, front side, and curtain airbags.
Sport and GT-Line models add autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, as well as lane-keeping assist and driver attention monitoring.
Features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert can be found on Rios in other markets but aren’t available here.
Standard Equipment
The base Rio S comes with the following standard features:
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Reversing camera with rear parking sensors
- Automatic headlights
- Power windows
- Tilt and telescopic adjustable steering column
- 15-inch steel wheels
The Rio SX adds the following over the S:
- Cruise control
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors
- Premium shift knob and steering wheel
- Leatherette upholstery
- Sunroof
- Privacy glass
- Illuminated vanity mirrors
The Rio Sport adds the following over the S:
- Cruise control
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors
- Premium shift knob and steering wheel
- 4.2-inch instrument cluster display
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Lane-keeping assist
The range-topping GT-Line replaces the 1.4-litre four with a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine and adds:
- Single-zone climate control
- Automatic stop/start
- LED daytime running lights and front fog lights
- GT-Line exterior package with body kit, rear diffuser and dual exhaust outlets
- Alloy sports pedals
- Flat-bottomed sports steering wheel
- Rain-sensing wipers
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