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Used car guide
Used Kia Rio: the years to buy and the years to skip
Every Kia Rio from 2012 to 2023, across 2 generations: what each year typically sells for (about $4,000 to $18,500), its crash rating, and whether it's a year to target or skip. The best bets are 2022–2023. Look harder at or skip 2012–2021.
2018–2023 Kia Rio
A simple, efficient subcompact that is easy to park and inexpensive to run.
Years to target: 2022–2023. Look harder at or skip: 2018–2021. It has a strong reliability record.
| Year | Typical price | Verdict | Crash rating | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | $12,000* | Theft risk | Not rated | ~95,000 |
| 2019 | $13,000 | Theft risk | Not rated | ~85,000 |
| 2020 | $14,000 | Theft risk | Not rated | ~75,000 |
| 2021 | $15,500 | Theft risk | Not rated | ~65,000 |
| 2022 | $17,000 | Target | Not rated | ~55,000 |
| 2023 | $18,500 | Target | Not rated | ~40,000 |
* Estimated from nearby years, since few were listed for sale.
Worth knowing
- Theft risk for 2018–2021. Many key-start cars from these years lack an engine immobilizer. Confirm the free anti-theft update.
- Acceleration is slow and the cabin noisy, with few advanced features on most trims.
The trim we'd park in our garage
Look for the S: it adds a touchscreen with CarPlay and cruise control over the base LX. CarPlay became standard on all trims for 2021.
On the test drive
Ask whether the CVT fluid has been changed, and feel for shudder or hesitation when pulling away. Get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy.
Safety tech
- Automatic emergency braking: standard from 2021, optional from 2018.
- Adaptive cruise control: not offered in this generation.
- Blind-spot monitoring: not standard in this generation, so check the listing.
Also worth comparing at this price
- Toyota Corolla 2021–2022 · $17,500–$18,500
- Toyota Prius 2018–2019 · $17,000–$19,000
- Lexus CT 2016–2017 · $15,500–$17,000
Find one near you
2012–2017 Kia Rio
A cheap, fuel-efficient subcompact sold as either a sedan or a hatchback.
No year in this generation is clear of problems. Shop carefully. Look harder at or skip: 2012–2017. It has an average reliability record.
| Year | Typical price | Verdict | Crash rating | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | $4,000* | Theft risk | 4 of 5 | ~125,000 |
| 2013 | $4,500 | Look harder | 4 of 5 | ~115,000 |
| 2014 | $5,000 | Theft risk | 4 of 5 | ~105,000 |
| 2015 | $5,500 | Theft risk | 4 of 5 | ~100,000 |
| 2016 | $6,500 | Theft risk | 4 of 5 | ~90,000 |
| 2017 | $7,000 | Theft risk | 4 of 5 | ~80,000 |
* Estimated from nearby years, since few were listed for sale.
Worth knowing
- 2013: owner complaints spike (153, mostly the engine).
- Theft risk for 2012–2017. Many key-start cars from these years lack an engine immobilizer. Confirm the free anti-theft update.
- Expect a firm ride and plenty of road noise, and safety tech is basic by modern standards.
The trim we'd park in our garage
Look for the EX: it adds alloy wheels, cruise control and a better stereo over the LX. None of these offer CarPlay or modern driver aids.
On the test drive
Get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy.
Safety tech
- Automatic emergency braking: not offered in this generation.
- Adaptive cruise control: not offered in this generation.
- Blind-spot monitoring: not standard in this generation, so check the listing.
Also worth comparing at this price
- Hyundai Accent 2012–2014 · $5,000–$6,000
- Mazda Mazda3 2011–2012 · $5,000–$5,500
- Honda Insight 2011–2012 · $5,000–$5,500
Find one near you
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Prices are typical dealer and private asking prices from used listings, collected in September and October 2026, for an average-mileage car. Years with too few listings are estimated from nearby years. Crash ratings, recalls and owner complaint counts come from NHTSA public records. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy. Spot something off? Let us know.