- Newest year: 2023
- Gas
- Small cars
2018-2023 Kia Rio MPG & Fuel Cost
6 model years · 32–36 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 9 of 10 small car configurations, MY2023. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2018-2023 Kia Rio at a glance
The 2018-2023 Kia Rio covers 6 model years in the EPA database (8 configurations in all), rated 32–36 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2023, costs about $1,830 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD (36 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The best combined rating in the generation, 36 MPG, was reached in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
2018-2023 Kia Rio by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Gas | 36 MPG | $1,830 | Ratings changed |
| 2022 | Gas | 36 MPG | $1,830 | Ratings changed |
| 2021 | Gas | 36 MPG | $1,820 | Ratings changed |
| 2020 | Gas | 36 MPG | $1,820 | Ratings changed |
| 2019 | Gas | 32 MPG | $2,050–$2,060 | Ratings changed |
| 2018 | Gas | 32 MPG | $2,050–$2,060 | First year |
What the 2023 Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD costs to drive
Per month
$153
$1,830 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$3.05
Per 100 miles
$12.20
Five years
$9,150
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the small car median
$1,450less a year
Class median $3,280 a year, MY2023
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2023 Kia Rio MPG
Versus 2022: The most efficient configuration stays at 36 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $1,830.
Gas configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio (Most efficient) | 1.6L 4-cyl | FWD | 32 | 41 | 36 | $1,830 |
2022 Kia Rio MPG
36 MPG · $1,830/yr
Versus 2021: The most efficient configuration stays at 36 MPG. Its annual cost goes from $1,820 to $1,830, $10 more.
Gas configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio (Most efficient) | 1.6L 4-cyl | FWD | 33 | 41 | 36 | $1,830 |
2021 Kia Rio MPG
36 MPG · $1,820/yr
Versus 2020: The most efficient configuration stays at 36 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $1,820.
Gas configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio (Most efficient) | 1.6L 4-cyl | FWD | 33 | 41 | 36 | $1,820 |
2020 Kia Rio MPG
36 MPG · $1,820/yr
Versus 2019: The most efficient configuration moves from 32 to 36 MPG, up 4. Its annual cost goes from $2,050 to $1,820, $230 less.
Gas configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio (Most efficient) | 1.6L 4-cyl | FWD | 33 | 41 | 36 | $1,820 |
2019 Kia Rio MPG
32 MPG · $2,050–$2,060/yr
Versus 2018: The most efficient configuration stays at 32 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,050.
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD Manual 6-spd (Most efficient) | 1.6L 4-cyl | FWD | 29 | 37 | 32 | $2,050 |
| Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD Automatic (S6) | 1.6L 4-cyl | FWD | 28 | 37 | 32 | $2,060 |
2018 Kia Rio MPG
32 MPG · $2,050–$2,060/yr
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD Manual 6-spd (Most efficient) | 1.6L 4-cyl | FWD | 29 | 37 | 32 | $2,050 |
| Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD Automatic (S6) | 1.6L 4-cyl | FWD | 28 | 37 | 32 | $2,060 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD: $2,490 in California and $1,600 in Texas, a $890 difference.
- California $2,490
- Washington $2,310
- New York $1,830
- Florida $1,730
- Texas $1,600
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2023 small car models.
Generations
- 2001-2005 (DC)
- 2006-2011 (JB)
- 2012-2017 (UB)
- 2018-2023 (YB)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2018-2023 Kia Rio get?
EPA rates the 2018-2023 Kia Rio at 32–36 MPG combined across 8 configurations and 6 model years. The most efficient version, the 2023 Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD, is rated 36 MPG (32 city, 41 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2018-2023 Kia Rio?
The Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 36 MPG, in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The lowest top rating, 32 MPG, was in 2018 and 2019.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2018-2023 Kia Rio?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
How does the 2018-2023 Kia Rio compare with the previous generation?
The previous generation (2012-2017 Kia Rio) is rated 30–32 MPG combined and costs $2,040–$2,170 a year to fuel; the 2018-2023 model is rated 32–36 MPG and costs $1,820–$2,060 a year.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2023 Kia Rio per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD costs about $1,830 a year. Across all 1 configuration the cost runs $1,830 a year.
How much does it cost to drive a 2023 Kia Rio 100 miles?
About $12.20 per 100 miles for the Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2023 Kia Rio more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD is rated 32 city and 41 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 9 MPG.
How does the 2023 Kia Rio compare with other small car configurations?
The Rio 1.6L 4-cyl FWD costs about $1,830 a year to fuel, $1,450 less than the class median of $3,280, and less than 9 of 10 small car configurations. The comparison covers all 288 rated small car configurations for MY2023, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2023 Kia Rio different from the 2022 model?
The most efficient configuration stays at 36 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $1,830. EPA lists 1 configuration for 2023 against 1 configuration for 2022. See the 2022 Kia Rio for that year.