Skip to main content

2011
Kia Rio

Starts at:
$12,295
Shop options
New 2011 Kia Rio
See ratings
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Shop Cars.com
Browse cars & save your favorites
Dealers near you
Find & contact a dealership near you
no listings

We're not finding any listings in your area.
Change your location or search Cars.com to see more!

Change location

Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 4dr Sdn Base
    Starts at
    $12,295
    28 City / 34 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn LX
    Starts at
    $14,995
    27 City / 36 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn SX
    Starts at
    $16,095
    27 City / 36 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

Photo & video gallery

2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio 2011 Kia Rio

Notable features

110-hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder
Manual or automatic
Six standard airbags
Optional Bluetooth

The good & the bad

The good

Fuel economy
Safety features for its class
Transmission operation
Maneuverability
Ride comfort on most surfaces

The bad

Backseat space and comfort

Expert 2011 Kia Rio review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Cars.com editors
Full article
our expert's take

Vehicle Overview

The Rio sedan is Kia’s entry in the competitive small-car segment. Trim levels include a bare-bones Base model, an LX and a sporty SX. The Rio competes with the Chevrolet Aveo and Toyota Yaris.

Kia’s Rio5 hatchback is covered separately in the Cars.com Research section.

New for 2011
Bluetooth connectivity was a late addition for the 2010 model year; for 2011, it is now available as part of the Value Package.

Exterior
The Rio features a black mesh grille and swept-back headlights. It’s available as a sedan or hatchback, which Kia calls the Rio5. Exterior features include:

  • Available 14-, 15- or 16-inch wheels
  • Standard auto-off headlamps
  • Optional heated and power-operated side mirrors
  • Optional rear spoiler
  • Optional fog lamps

Interior
The interior is fairly conservative. SX models include metal-finish dashboard accents, unique sport seat fabric and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob with red stitching. Interior features include:

  • Optional air conditioning
  • Optional 60/40-split bench seat
  • Optional power windows and locks
  • Optional keyless entry
  • Optional steering-wheel-mounted audio controls
  • Optional USB interface for MP3 players
  • Optional floormats

Under the Hood
The base Rio is only available with a five-speed manual transmission.

  • 110-horsepower, 1.6-liter inline-four-cylinder engine with 107 pounds-feet of torque
  • Available four-speed automatic transmission
  • Optional power steering

Safety
Safety features include:

  • Standard side-impact airbags
  • Standard side curtain airbags
  • Standard child-safety locks
  • Optional antilock brakes with rear discs (LX and SX)


2011 Kia Rio review: Our expert's take

Vehicle Overview

The Rio sedan is Kia’s entry in the competitive small-car segment. Trim levels include a bare-bones Base model, an LX and a sporty SX. The Rio competes with the Chevrolet Aveo and Toyota Yaris.

Kia’s Rio5 hatchback is covered separately in the Cars.com Research section.

New for 2011
Bluetooth connectivity was a late addition for the 2010 model year; for 2011, it is now available as part of the Value Package.

Exterior
The Rio features a black mesh grille and swept-back headlights. It’s available as a sedan or hatchback, which Kia calls the Rio5. Exterior features include:

  • Available 14-, 15- or 16-inch wheels
  • Standard auto-off headlamps
  • Optional heated and power-operated side mirrors
  • Optional rear spoiler
  • Optional fog lamps

Interior
The interior is fairly conservative. SX models include metal-finish dashboard accents, unique sport seat fabric and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob with red stitching. Interior features include:

  • Optional air conditioning
  • Optional 60/40-split bench seat
  • Optional power windows and locks
  • Optional keyless entry
  • Optional steering-wheel-mounted audio controls
  • Optional USB interface for MP3 players
  • Optional floormats

Under the Hood
The base Rio is only available with a five-speed manual transmission.

  • 110-horsepower, 1.6-liter inline-four-cylinder engine with 107 pounds-feet of torque
  • Available four-speed automatic transmission
  • Optional power steering

Safety
Safety features include:

  • Standard side-impact airbags
  • Standard side curtain airbags
  • Standard child-safety locks
  • Optional antilock brakes with rear discs (LX and SX)


Safety review

Based on the 2011 Kia Rio base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Rollover rating
4/5
11.8%
Risk of rollover
11.8%
Risk of rollover

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
5 years / 60,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years / 100,000 miles
Powertrain
10 years / 100,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
5 years / 60,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
6 years or newer / less than 80,000 miles
Basic
12 months / 12,000 miles
Dealer certification
165-point inspection

Compare similar vehicles

Select cars to compare for more detailed info.
  • 2011
    3.3
    Kia Rio
    Starts at
    $12,295
    28 City / 34 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    -
    Warranty
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2012
    4.4
    Kia Forte Koup
    Starts at
    $17,200
    24 City / 33 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    -
    Warranty
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2008
    4.6
    Scion xB
    Starts at
    $15,650
    22 City / 28 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    -
    Warranty
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2011
    4.5
    Kia Forte
    Starts at
    $14,995
    25 City / 34 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    -
    Warranty
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2015
    4.7
    Kia Soul EV
    Starts at
    $33,700
    93 mi.
    Range
    5
    Seat capacity
    120 month/100,000 miles
    Warranty
    Electric
    Engine
    Front-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2010
    3.4
    Kia Rio
    Starts at
    $11,695
    28 City / 34 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    -
    Warranty
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 1999
    4.1
    Hyundai Accent
    Starts at
    $8,749
    28 City / 37 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    -
    Warranty
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Front-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • Compare more options
    Use our comparison tool to add any vehicle of your choice and see a full list of specifications and features side-by-side.
    Try it now

Consumer reviews

3.3 / 5
Based on 14 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 3.2
Interior 2.9
Performance 2.9
Value 3.6
Exterior 3.6
Reliability 3.2

Most recent

  • Amazing car!

    It runs and drives like its brand new! It is amazing on gas and it never lets me down, If you like smaller vehicles that’s good on gas I highly recommend the Kia Rio!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Very bad

    Hate this car very bad on gas, transmission bad have ram foot in gas to make it go, had a Toyota filled up every two weeks this rio every four days, very disappointed with this car soon as paid off good bye!!!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 1.0
    Interior 1.0
    Performance 1.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 1.0
    Reliability 1.0
    2 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Best Bang for Your Buck

    This car is one of the cheapest cars to buy and own. Maintenance is almost dirt cheap and the gas mileage is pretty good. The interior could be more comfortable but I guess for it's price you had to sacrifice something. This is a weaker four cylinder compared to the other engines Kia produces so don't expect it to be a fast, zippy car. If you need cheap and reliable transportation, this is the car for you. The newer models seemed to have improved the interior comfort and even the engines. So maybe get a newer model although expect to pay more $$$ for it.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Very unreliable. Many defects.

    This car is very unreliable. Always having same issues with the ignition and emissions system numerous times since buying car in 2012. Just learned it is the second most dangerous car in the road. I should have done my homework before buying this hunk-of-junk. Don't buy the Rio, run from it.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 1.0
    Interior 1.0
    Performance 1.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 1.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Worst Car Ever!

    Worst car I have ever drove. I've had problems with this car this year 1. Every year, some thing in my car just stops working. Now that I'm past the warranty, I just have a bunch of stuff in my car that does not work! Can't wait to get rid of this car later this year. I will never buy a KIA again!
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 1.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Great first car

    This car is great for a first car. It is very nice and simple and doesn?t have a lot of confusing buttons. Great for just driving from place to place
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Fits my needs

    Fits my needs, very few bells and whistles. Reliable and sturdy. A little lightweight, but runs smoothly down the road.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Great around town car!

    Love the car! Great price and great gas mileage. Have had some issues with the ignition coil packs, seems to be a common problem, but not hard to repair if you have the inclination to do it your self other wise the dealer will charge you a lot!
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Great car, but even better value!

    It has a good looking exterior design as a sedan, it develop 6 CV (metric) with a beautiful dashboard manual gearbox 5 speeds & assisted wheel+airbag, fully plastic interior, climatic, cd reader with usb+aux+power port and smooth seats and it's a great deal for a familly.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 2.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Wanted a reliable car for my son

    The is a great reliable car. This makes our second purchase of a Kia Rio. We purchased our first for our daughter. They both love their Kias. The only thing is it is a base model. They have to roll up the window with their hand. But they don't care. Great gas miles and very reliable. That important.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • My first car

    Although it is not comfortable, fast, or stylish in or out, this is an incredible car. I LOVE this car. I have had it since Jan 2011. This car is awesome on gas. I can get up to 40 mpg on long road trips! My rio is pretty good in snow too. It hasn't given me any trouble in the 90,000 miles I have driven it. When I graduate college, I will be purchasing another Rio :)
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Not fancy, but overall a good, basic car.

    I own a 2011 Kia Rio LX with the Value Package. It's a good, all-round basic car. It's not luxurious like a Lincoln or a Cadillac. It's not fast like a Camaro or a Mustang. Then again, that's not what I bought it for. I needed a good, inexpensive, reliable car, and it fits that bill perfectly. I've driven Coast-to-Coast in it. I've driven it through the Cascades and Sierra Nevada mountains. I've driven it in the Mojave desert and through a Michigan winter. It's always performed well and never let me down. It's economical to drive, so long as the 'Eco' light stays on. If you drive fast enough that it goes off, the gas mileage drops. I find that happens around 79 MPH. If you drive in the desert, make sure the A/C refrigerant level is topped-off. It can be sensitive to that, and if it isn't full, the air won't blow as cold. Do not expect it to accelerate as if it has a V-6. The drive train isn't made for speed or fast acceleration. That said, it does exactly what I bought it to do, and it does it well. Couple that with the best warranty in the automotive industry, and you've a car that, if properly maintained, should be a keeper. I adore my '11 Rio, and plan upon keeping it until the wheels fall off it, somewhere in the next decade.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No

Latest news from cars.com

See all news

Kia dealers near you

FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2011 Kia Rio?

The 2011 Kia Rio is available in 3 trim levels:

  • Base (1 style)
  • LX (1 style)
  • SX (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 2011 Kia Rio?

The 2011 Kia Rio offers up to 28 MPG in city driving and 34 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2011 Kia Rio?

The 2011 Kia Rio compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2011 Kia Rio reliable?

The 2011 Kia Rio has an average reliability rating of 3.2 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2011 Kia Rio owners.

Is the 2011 Kia Rio a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2011 Kia Rio. 64.3% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

3.3 / 5
Based on 14 reviews
  • Comfort: 3.2
  • Interior: 2.9
  • Performance: 2.9
  • Value: 3.6
  • Exterior: 3.6
  • Reliability: 3.2

Kia Rio history

Your list was successfully saved.
 
 
 
 
Save list Compare
[{"cat":"sedan_compact","stock_type":"used","bodystyle":"Sedan","page_type":"research/make-model-year","oem_page":false,"search_fuel_types":["Gasoline Fuel"]}]