Our culture is built on the need for more. We’re constantly searching for bigger and better, from larger televisions and supersized servings at fast food restaurants to massive SUVs to accommodate passengers and all our cargo and accouterments. This need was prominent in the late 1990s when the American automotive industry saw an influx of gas-guzzling vehicles. However, Kia took a different approach and gave drivers something unique with the subcompact Rio.

The Rio debuted in 1999 as the most affordable mass-produced car in America. Available as a four-door sedan or five-door wagon, the Rio’s affordability made it a staple in the Kia fleet. Four generations later, the Rio has evolved into a sophisticated, sporty sedan praised for its high-value packaging and efficiency. The 2023 Rio boasts all these characteristics and plenty of others, giving you more reasons to find a Kia dealer near you.

How does Kia keep the 2023 Rio affordable without compromising the very features that make it a Kia? That’s the million-dollar question that Victory Kia is here to answer. Here’s how the 2023 Rio defies the odds with class-leading affordability and features.

1 – Stylish Design

While it’s easy to assume that an affordable subcompact sedan would lack style and sophistication, the 2023 Rio proves otherwise. This sedan matches Kia’s sporty lineup with its bold lines and aerodynamic design, giving it a strong presence on the road. The prominent front fascia with Kia’s signature Tiger Nose grille makes a lasting first impression, especially when complemented by LED lighting that serves the practical function of enhancing your visibility.

2 – Class-Leading Passenger Volume

The Rio’s stylish, sporty, and aerodynamic platform lends to its surprisingly spacious cabin tailored to your needs. The 2023 models offer a best-in-class passenger volume of 89.9 cu.ft. In addition, the Rio’s plush seating in the first and second rows guarantees comfort and enhances the impressive headroom and legroom for a sedan of this size. For example, you and your copilot have 38.9 inches of headroom and 42.1 inches of legroom, with second-row passengers enjoying 37.4 inches and 33.5 inches, respectively. As great as they sound on paper, these dimensions are even better in person, and we’d be happy to show you all the ins and outs at our Victoria Kia Dealership.

3 – Cargo-Hauling Made Easy

The Rio isn’t expected to move large furniture, but that doesn’t mean it can’t meet the demands of your daily cargo-hauling needs. Kia guarantees the Rio is up for any challenge, whether hauling groceries, luggage, backpacks, and other gear. The 60/40 split-folding rear seats let you expand the Rio’s already-generous trunk space of 13.7 cu.ft. Likewise, it also ensures you can haul your passengers and cargo without having to choose one over another.

4 – Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

How many affordable models come standard with wireless smartphone integration? Most automakers offer this convenience as an upgrade or on top-tier trims. However, Kia adds incredible value to the 2023 Rio by making wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto standard across the sedan’s lineup. As a result, you enjoy seamless connectivity as soon as you start the engine, ensuring you never miss an important call, text, or update.

5 – Expansive Center Display

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration add value to the Rio and are centralized in the subcompact sedan’s expansive center display. While most automakers cut corners and equip their base models with the bare minimum of technology, Kia takes a different approach. The Rio’s standard eight-inch display is one of its biggest perks because it makes staying connected and informed straightforward and hassle-free.

The display gives you access to your smartphone, favorite apps, and Kia’s Bluetooth Wireless Technology with Streaming Audio in a familiar layout that is intuitive and easy to use. The S trim takes this connectivity further by adding features like Kia Connect and SiriusXM satellite radio. Kia also makes navigating the display nearly effortless by equipping the steering wheel with mounted audio controls that let you adjust the volume without taking your eyes off the road.

6 – Agile and Efficient

The Rio’s subcompact footprint makes it one of the best models for in-town driving because it can zip through traffic, navigate narrow city streets, and squeeze into tight parking spaces without missing a beat. Kia adds to the Rio’s agility by equipping it with a capable 1.6L four-cylinder engine and its proven intelligent variable transmission. This combination delivers 120 hp and 112 lb-ft of torque, which is plenty of power for a sedan of its size. Even more importantly, the 2023 Rio sips fuel conservatively at 32 MPG in the city and 41 MPG on the highway.

7 – Prioritizing Your Safety

Kia doesn’t cut corners with the 2023 Rio, particularly when it comes to protecting you and your passengers. The Rio’s durable structure is incredibly rigid and relies on high-strength steel to shield you in the event of a collision. When the unthinkable occurs, the Rio’s advanced airbag system kicks into gear, using sensors to detect if someone is riding in the front passenger seat and deploying the appropriate airbags.

Numerous active and passive safety features are also constantly at work as you navigate the road. For example, the subcompact sedan features anti-lock brakes and Electronic Stability Control to maximize traction and help you maintain command over the Rio when conditions are slippery. You can also upgrade the Rio’s driver-assist suite with the S Technology Package that adds Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keeping Assist, and Lane Following Assist.

These tools are integral to your experience behind the wheel because they actively minimize the potential for a collision. For example, if you fail to respond to the alerts, the automatic emergency braking system can bring the Rio to a controlled stop. Likewise, the lane-keeping technology helps you keep the Rio centered in its lane. Other available tools include High-Beam Assist and a Driver Attention Warning system.

8 – Conveniences to Improve the User Experience

Kia knows the importance of providing an exceptional user experience, even in budget-friendly models like the Rio and in a segment where so many rival models fail to deliver. The Rio’s automatic climate control system ensures your comfort wherever the road takes you, but how does Kia make navigating the road easier and more enjoyable? The Rio’s remote keyless entry feature with trunk release is an excellent start.

The 2023 Rio also offers Kia’s Smart Key with Push-Button Start technology. This tool adds another level of convenience by allowing you to start the Rio without putting your keys in the ignition. As long as your keys are inside the Rio, you only have to worry about buckling the seatbelt and hitting the road. Then, once you’re on the highway, you can enjoy the ride by engaging cruise control using the steering wheel-mounted controls.

9 – Kia Has You Covered Every Mile Ahead

Buying a vehicle is an investment, regardless of what you spend. The 2023 Rio’s affordable price tag doesn’t make it any less deserving of protection than a luxury SUV with a mile-high MSRP. Fortunately, Kia recognizes as much and offers industry-leading warranty coverage that protects the Rio for its first 10 years or 100,000 miles on the road. This coverage showcases Kia’s confidence in its lineup, encouraging drivers to share that confidence when shopping for remarkable models like the Rio.

At Victory Kia of Texas, we are a new and a used Kia dealership, and we are committed to getting you into the vehicle that best suits your lifestyle. Give us a call or visit us in person today to learn more!