The Least Expensive Car In America With An Automatic Transmission Is The 2023 Kia Rio Review
video description
Date: 2023-07-04
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 19
Tim
Yes, buy one of these and do a long term ownership study. I think it's very important to provide quality new car transportation at the bottom of the market. I used to hire entry level people just out of college to work a tech help desk, and I always tried to see to it that they had a decent of enough starting wage so that they could buy decent transportation to get to and from work, and for hanging out with their friends. In 2017 I bought a base Jetta for around 16k and it was a lot of car for the money. A friend of a friend bought a Mazda 3 for around the same price, it was a beautiful and very nice car. Car prices have marched up, but not wages - so I think this Rio is a very important car.
In regard to the Versa, the last generation model seemed like a better vehicle, it had 38 inches of rear seat legroom in it - it was HUGE on the inside. I like when cheap cars punch above their weight.
Every car ever manufactured represents the compromises that the engineers made. If you don't compromise on price, you can pump a lot into a vehicle. What happens when the price goes down and the margins narrow? What decisions did the engineers make. Incidently does this car use a standard timing belt, and is it an interference engine? That matters a lot of the timing belt breaks.
reply
Yes, buy one of these and do a long term ownership study. I think it's very important to provide quality new car transportation at the bottom of the market. I used to hire entry level people just out of college to work a tech help desk, and I always tried to see to it that they had a decent of enough starting wage so that they could buy decent transportation to get to and from work, and for hanging out with their friends. In 2017 I bought a base Jetta for around 16k and it was a lot of car for the money. A friend of a friend bought a Mazda 3 for around the same price, it was a beautiful and very nice car. Car prices have marched up, but not wages - so I think this Rio is a very important car.
In regard to the Versa, the last generation model seemed like a better vehicle, it had 38 inches of rear seat legroom in it - it was HUGE on the inside. I like when cheap cars punch above their weight.
Every car ever manufactured represents the compromises that the engineers made. If you don't compromise on price, you can pump a lot into a vehicle. What happens when the price goes down and the margins narrow? What decisions did the engineers make. Incidently does this car use a standard timing belt, and is it an interference engine? That matters a lot of the timing belt breaks.
reply
palebeachbum
The design was good in a VW kind of way when it first came out in 2018, but it looks so bland now. What's odd is that manufacturers usually do a facelift, offer different paint colors, fabrics, and features to try to keep an old model relevant. Kia did the complete opposite with the Rio. It was offered with more personality early on and they've been decontenting it over the years. Very strange. It makes me think they're trying to kill off the Rio to lure buyers into something more expensive. I have a feeling they will discontinue the Rio pretty soon.
reply
The design was good in a VW kind of way when it first came out in 2018, but it looks so bland now. What's odd is that manufacturers usually do a facelift, offer different paint colors, fabrics, and features to try to keep an old model relevant. Kia did the complete opposite with the Rio. It was offered with more personality early on and they've been decontenting it over the years. Very strange. It makes me think they're trying to kill off the Rio to lure buyers into something more expensive. I have a feeling they will discontinue the Rio pretty soon.
reply
Keith
After watching your review on the 2018 Accent, I purchased a brand new 2019 Accent SE with stick shift for 13, 995 out the door. Adjusted for inflation, this is the most inexpensive car I ever purchased. I think it is the best car I ever owned if the engine holds out as some Hyundai/Kia had failures with their GDI engines. I have gotten 45, 000 miles so far with no issues and the gas mileage is excellent. I can get 45-55 mpg on long highway trips. The handling is fun and I consider the interior to be roomy. My previous car was a 2001 Miata.
reply
After watching your review on the 2018 Accent, I purchased a brand new 2019 Accent SE with stick shift for 13, 995 out the door. Adjusted for inflation, this is the most inexpensive car I ever purchased. I think it is the best car I ever owned if the engine holds out as some Hyundai/Kia had failures with their GDI engines. I have gotten 45, 000 miles so far with no issues and the gas mileage is excellent. I can get 45-55 mpg on long highway trips. The handling is fun and I consider the interior to be roomy. My previous car was a 2001 Miata.
reply
Nicholas
Awesome review as always Alex, I have not driven a newer Kia Rio, but I did have a Nissan Versa for a few weeks and it was a great little car I was averaging 36 miles per gallon and I was not easy on it, it was comfortable, Android auto Apple carplay work flawlessly, not too loud on the road. I was really impressed. I have also rented a Kia Forte and it was a 2020 base version and I was amazed. Excellent gas mileage, awesome Lane keeping assist, very comfortable, you get a lot for your money.
reply
Awesome review as always Alex, I have not driven a newer Kia Rio, but I did have a Nissan Versa for a few weeks and it was a great little car I was averaging 36 miles per gallon and I was not easy on it, it was comfortable, Android auto Apple carplay work flawlessly, not too loud on the road. I was really impressed. I have also rented a Kia Forte and it was a 2020 base version and I was amazed. Excellent gas mileage, awesome Lane keeping assist, very comfortable, you get a lot for your money.
reply
charles
Fascinating to see what the cheapest car looks like. Kia/Hyundai have really been excelling at offering serious value, and it doesn't surprise me that they'd do well in this category. Over 15 years, not factoring in inflation, a hybrid would save its owner up to 7, 000; but I don't think you can reach a hybrid pricing with that 7K. Maybe an Elantra Blue trim Hybrid, but that's a really stripped down vehicle. Takes all the fun out of it. A loaded Rio might be more fun. Great video!
reply
Fascinating to see what the cheapest car looks like. Kia/Hyundai have really been excelling at offering serious value, and it doesn't surprise me that they'd do well in this category. Over 15 years, not factoring in inflation, a hybrid would save its owner up to 7, 000; but I don't think you can reach a hybrid pricing with that 7K. Maybe an Elantra Blue trim Hybrid, but that's a really stripped down vehicle. Takes all the fun out of it. A loaded Rio might be more fun. Great video!
reply
Gruntsworth
I've considered getting the hatch version of one of these. I can afford things far far fancier, but I'm getting tired of cars just being massively complicated computers on wheels and costing a dozen kidneys because reasons, and I'm a tech person. It's cheap with a nice long warranty and can probably get like 45+ mpg with good driving habits. Could throw some better tires on there for very little. I hope they keep this little vehicle around. It's tough to beat.
reply
I've considered getting the hatch version of one of these. I can afford things far far fancier, but I'm getting tired of cars just being massively complicated computers on wheels and costing a dozen kidneys because reasons, and I'm a tech person. It's cheap with a nice long warranty and can probably get like 45+ mpg with good driving habits. Could throw some better tires on there for very little. I hope they keep this little vehicle around. It's tough to beat.
reply
Christine
I always drove tiny cheap and cheerful cars back when AC and power anything was reserved for more expensive models. The Last one I had was a 2001 Hyundai Accent (it had AC, a 5sp manual, and power steering) which I will always remember my late father's snide comments on having to manually lock the doors and roll up the windows. My guess would be the Rio with power everything and modern infotainment may not feel as low end as the basic cars of years ago.
reply
I always drove tiny cheap and cheerful cars back when AC and power anything was reserved for more expensive models. The Last one I had was a 2001 Hyundai Accent (it had AC, a 5sp manual, and power steering) which I will always remember my late father's snide comments on having to manually lock the doors and roll up the windows. My guess would be the Rio with power everything and modern infotainment may not feel as low end as the basic cars of years ago.
reply
Ray
Hard pass on this as well as the Versa. For 16K, I can purchase a used 2015 or 2016 Corolla or Civic. Both of these cars have far superior build quality and reliability ratings compared to the Versa or Rio. Resale value, road noise, engine noise, and ride quality are also far better. I personally own a 2012 Corolla as well as a 2004 Corolla, both with over 200K miles on them. Never a single issue and will probably easily get over 300K miles out of them.
reply
Hard pass on this as well as the Versa. For 16K, I can purchase a used 2015 or 2016 Corolla or Civic. Both of these cars have far superior build quality and reliability ratings compared to the Versa or Rio. Resale value, road noise, engine noise, and ride quality are also far better. I personally own a 2012 Corolla as well as a 2004 Corolla, both with over 200K miles on them. Never a single issue and will probably easily get over 300K miles out of them.
reply
Andrew
I'd much rather see how a Kia Rio 5-door holds up over time with the actual tech package. Seems like the most practical combination of usability, cargo, and still have the ability to use adaptive cruise, etc. This is basically what folks would have been buying with any normal hatchback in the 1990s, plus you get adaptive cruise, wireless nav, backup cameras, and LED lighting.
reply
I'd much rather see how a Kia Rio 5-door holds up over time with the actual tech package. Seems like the most practical combination of usability, cargo, and still have the ability to use adaptive cruise, etc. This is basically what folks would have been buying with any normal hatchback in the 1990s, plus you get adaptive cruise, wireless nav, backup cameras, and LED lighting.
reply
sachinnair91
Alex, sales of small cheap new cars are low because carmakers are purposely producing less of them. Carmakers put the blame on lack of demand but the truth is, they don t want to make small cheap new cars. Profit margins are too thin on them. Carmakers would much rather make huge SUV s and trucks with fat profit margins baked in.
reply
Alex, sales of small cheap new cars are low because carmakers are purposely producing less of them. Carmakers put the blame on lack of demand but the truth is, they don t want to make small cheap new cars. Profit margins are too thin on them. Carmakers would much rather make huge SUV s and trucks with fat profit margins baked in.
reply
Monkey
I just don't have it in me to buy a Korean car, as tempting as the 10 year warranty is. Honda's are good but tend to cost too much, I'm looking at Subaru, Toyota or Mazda. With winters here I'm leaning towards Subaru.
Realistically even though I can afford a new car I'm driving my 2003 Buick Century till it rusts apart.
reply
I just don't have it in me to buy a Korean car, as tempting as the 10 year warranty is. Honda's are good but tend to cost too much, I'm looking at Subaru, Toyota or Mazda. With winters here I'm leaning towards Subaru.
Realistically even though I can afford a new car I'm driving my 2003 Buick Century till it rusts apart.
reply
Brent
Kia doesn't WANT to sell the Rio. There is 0 available for sale within 125 miles of Pittsburgh, not even in transit. It's impossible to see the demand if they are not available to sell. If someone was in immediate need for a car and budget under 20k they could get this over a used car. But they aren't available.
reply
Kia doesn't WANT to sell the Rio. There is 0 available for sale within 125 miles of Pittsburgh, not even in transit. It's impossible to see the demand if they are not available to sell. If someone was in immediate need for a car and budget under 20k they could get this over a used car. But they aren't available.
reply
rally
I own a 2015 kai rio with a 1. 4 engine with a 4 speed auto. Its slow and dull as drying paint but its been reliable, cheap to own and get decent mileage considering our 3rd world traffic hell. I dont care what people say about the car i drive as a beater. Please make more affordable car content.
reply
I own a 2015 kai rio with a 1. 4 engine with a 4 speed auto. Its slow and dull as drying paint but its been reliable, cheap to own and get decent mileage considering our 3rd world traffic hell. I dont care what people say about the car i drive as a beater. Please make more affordable car content.
reply
Tan
For car under 20k, I'd choose the Rio hatchback. It's the most fun to drive in its class, fuel efficient, and more attractive than its competitions.
By the way, for long term reliability, the Versa is actually better than Nissan's larger sedans, because it has port-injection engine.
reply
For car under 20k, I'd choose the Rio hatchback. It's the most fun to drive in its class, fuel efficient, and more attractive than its competitions.
By the way, for long term reliability, the Versa is actually better than Nissan's larger sedans, because it has port-injection engine.
reply
Omar
Thank you for the all the work you've done!
I appreciate that you rented this car so you can tell us about everything and now we know exactly how to approach this car and what to expect about it, with that being said I am not buying any car for perhaps maybe the next 10 years
reply
Thank you for the all the work you've done!
I appreciate that you rented this car so you can tell us about everything and now we know exactly how to approach this car and what to expect about it, with that being said I am not buying any car for perhaps maybe the next 10 years
reply
Jeff
The Rio hasn't had a redesign in years. They used to have an EX trim and it did have a telescoping steering wheel. When they cancelled that trim a few years back they took that away and I don't know why. The Hyundai Accent always had a telescoping steering wheel.
reply
The Rio hasn't had a redesign in years. They used to have an EX trim and it did have a telescoping steering wheel. When they cancelled that trim a few years back they took that away and I don't know why. The Hyundai Accent always had a telescoping steering wheel.
reply
Rob
It would be amazing if you would but a manual transmission car. Versa would be great but the base Civic hatch would be even better. As far as Rio accelerating faster than expected it is common for cars accelerate a little faster after 20-30k miles vs brand new.
reply
It would be amazing if you would but a manual transmission car. Versa would be great but the base Civic hatch would be even better. As far as Rio accelerating faster than expected it is common for cars accelerate a little faster after 20-30k miles vs brand new.
reply
Edgary
AlexonAuto, Hear me out as your fan with constructive criticism:
You re not giving Mitsubishi Mirage enough credit for what it intends to be especially when owners have actually praised them. Please review and make an unbiased video about it. Thanks.
reply
AlexonAuto, Hear me out as your fan with constructive criticism:
You re not giving Mitsubishi Mirage enough credit for what it intends to be especially when owners have actually praised them. Please review and make an unbiased video about it. Thanks.
reply
Ti-NrS
Yes please please review more cheap cars. i have family that cant afford much and i send them your videos when u do them so they know those lower price vehicles are out there and at least have some hope they can get into one.
reply
Yes please please review more cheap cars. i have family that cant afford much and i send them your videos when u do them so they know those lower price vehicles are out there and at least have some hope they can get into one.
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
