5 Doors Are Better in the 2018 Kia Rio

Come for a compact car but stay for a hatchback design that gets it right and doesn’t stop there. The Rio is all new for 2018 and what Kia takes away only leaves room for innovation and sparks of fun. It’s not without its challenges and the Rio faces tough competition, particularly when it comes to costs, but in the world of hatchbacks, the Rio’s version is definitely a contender..

What I Dig about the 2018 Kia Rio 5-Door

Hatchback Wins – Let’s start off with that “5th door” and why not because the hatchback version is the best version of the refreshed Rio – hands down. The 4 door version of the Rio is modestly handsome, no doubt, but it really comes alive in hatchback mode. The body lines are more dynamic and there is an attractive, distinct sense of motion. Even the new stunted snout of the 2018 Rio makes more sense in the hatchback model versus the 4 door model. There’s simply something fun and playful about the low stance and small tires that pops in the hatchback version. The only aesthetic drawback that took some getting used to was the stingy back window that allows thick rear pillars to squish it into a moon smile.

A Comfortable Drive – It may seem difficult to get excited about a 1.6-liter inline-4 engine that produces 130 horsepower and 119 pound-feet of torque but this little engine packs a punch and is more than enough muscle for this small car. There is a 6-speed automatic powertrain here that performs admirably at your foot’s request even despite it’s fickleness at higher gears. A manual transmission might have been fun to experience in this hatchback but I only had the automatic to play around in (FYI the manual transmission is standard in the base trim). Good news is that this automatic version never left me wanting more. Flipping the car into Sport mode allows the computer to spend even more time in the lower gears which can be fun for short burst of speeds.

A Spirited Interior – The exuberance that exists on the outside of the 2018 Kia Rio translates nicely into the interior where fun lines build a very modern aesthetic. There’s nothing too flashy here; instead the right amount of engineering went into producing a pleasing experience for both driver and passenger. The 7-inch infotainment system is certainly the star of the dash design (more on this in a moment) but there are small additions that kick the Rio up a notch in sophistication; the small digital screen between the gauges is a great example of this. Seat materials made for a comfy ride and the surprising abundance of leg room both in front and in back is just a plus.

A Texas Sized Infotainment Screen – A 7 inch infotainment screen is an average size in the modern era of automobiles but in a car this small, you might as well be in an movie theater. Kia put care in nestling their infotainment screen in the forefront of the Rio’s dash so that the top of the screen protrudes upward and outward. It’s a commanding presence in the cabin and thankfully Kia’s UVO operating system is a joy to experience. The interface is quick, responsive, and easy to use, plus the system allows the driver to utilize Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. I’m in the Android camp so I can’t speak for Apple Carplay but Android Auto looked gorgeous on the Rio’s screen.

What Doesn’t Jive With me About the 2018 Kia Rio 5-Door

No Options Except in Advancing Trims – Those looking forward to customizing their Kia Rio with various options will find themselves a bit disappointed. Kia offers the Rio in three flavors – 4 if you count the 5-Door edition I test drove: LX, S and EX. Most surprisingly, the LX model doesn’t come with automatic transmission which can be off-putting in today’s market; sadly your average driver most likely doesn’t know how to drive standard. An automatic transmission can be added to the base LX model for $1,000 but if safety features like a rearview camera, forward warning collision system and automatic emergency brakes are what you’re looking for, the EX model is the only trim that offers both. This wasn’t exactly a problem for me during this review – the vehicle I tested was the EX trim – but it’s difficult to overlook the lack of options in lower trims. Most of these options can commonly be found standard on competing vehicles in this class. Which brings me to my other gripe about the 2018 Rio…

Great Value, But at what Cost – The 2018 Rio EX 5DR model I tested came with a price tag of $18,700. For a compact car that’s asking alot, especially when additional features like blind spot monitoring are nowhere to be seen (pun intended). There is definitely value here in the EX trim but with a price this close to 20k, it would be difficult to argue against upgrading to more space in a Kia Forte or better yet an Optima which starts at only a few thousand dollars more. To be fair, the LX trim starts at $14k but that is still higher than the competition and with a lot less safety features.

A Fine Looking Hatchback No Matter What the Trim

Hatchbacks, or 5-Door as Kia calls it, can have a distinct value all their own and while Kia technically offers the 5-Door option on the Rio’s lowest trim, the EX trim is really where it’s all at. The safety features are a must have, especially for a smaller car like the Rio. While those safety features should come standard, in my opinion, the Rio 5-Door can technically be had without them. And what a fine looking hatchback it is.