2021 Kia Rio LX vs. S
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2021 Kia Rio LX and 2021 Kia Rio S contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2021 Kia Rio LX and the 2021 Kia Rio S.
When comparing the 2021 Kia Rio LX's and the 2021 Kia Rio S's specifications and ratings, the 2021 Kia Rio LX has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for used cars. The 2021 Kia Rio LX and 2021 Kia Rio S have the same fuel efficiency, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2021 Kia Rio LX's and the 2021 Kia Rio S's specifications and ratings, the 2021 Kia Rio LX is a better car than the 2021 Kia Rio S.
Pricing: A used 2021 Kia Rio LX ranges from $10,063 to $17,690 while a used 2021 Kia Rio S is priced between $10,499 to $17,998.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate, the 2021 Kia Rio LX and the 2021 Kia Rio S both lose 35.6 percent of their value.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Kia Rio is 8.1 out of 10. Kia Rio is ranked 16 out of 37 Best Small Cars based on its reliability, retained value, and safety ratings.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars' Reliability Rating for the Kia Rio is 7.4 out of 10.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the base engine of both the 2021 Kia Rio LX and the 2021 Kia Rio S makes 120 horsepower. Both the LX and the S are rated to deliver an average of 36 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 488 miles. Both models use regular unleaded.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
16050
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact Cars)
18860
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
13600 - 29900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
16690
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact Cars)
18860
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
13600 - 29900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
14323
Price Range:
10063 - 17690
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact Cars)
17419
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
12215 - 26233
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
22
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
9
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
14277
Price Range:
10499 - 17998
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact Cars)
17419
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
12215 - 26233
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
43
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
11
Kia Rio Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
7.4 / 10
Retained Value:
8.8 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Kia Rio Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
7.4 / 10
Retained Value:
8.8 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2021 Kia Rio LX
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
4.8
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact Cars)
6.7
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
3.9 - 11.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.042
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2021 Kia Rio S
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
4.8
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact Cars)
6.7
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
3.9 - 11.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.042
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.5015788333937548
Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact Cars)
1.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact Cars)
1.0 - 5.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.5015788333937548
Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact Cars)
1.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact Cars)
1.0 - 5.1
Kia Rio Rankings
Ranking
6 out of / 15Ranking
7 out of / 15Ranking
13 out of / 37Ranking
13 out of / 37Ranking
15 out of / 37Ranking
16 out of / 37Ranking
21 out of / 37Ranking
22 out of / 37Ranking
31 out of / 37Kia Rio Rankings
Ranking
6 out of / 15Ranking
7 out of / 15Ranking
13 out of / 37Ranking
13 out of / 37Ranking
15 out of / 37Ranking
16 out of / 37Ranking
21 out of / 37Ranking
22 out of / 37Ranking
31 out of / 37Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Other Kia Rio Trim Levels
S
Other Kia Rio Trim Levels
LX
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
120 hp @ 6300 rpm
Torque:
112 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.043 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
120 hp @ 6300 rpm
Torque:
112 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.043 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.6 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
33 / 41 / 36
Range (city/hwy):
393 / 488 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.6 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
33 / 41 / 36
Range (city/hwy):
393 / 488 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
Available
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
33.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.3 inches
Cargo Space:
13.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
89.9 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
33.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.3 inches
Cargo Space:
13.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
89.9 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2767 lbs
Width:
67.9 inches
Height:
57.1 inches
Length:
172.6 inches
Wheelbase:
101.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2767 lbs
Width:
67.9 inches
Height:
57.1 inches
Length:
172.6 inches
Wheelbase:
101.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 5.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P185/65R15
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 5.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P185/65R15
Exterior Colors
Black
Aurora Black
Silver
Silky Silver
White
Clear White
Exterior Colors
Black
Not available
Silver
Not available
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
