Hyundai VELOSTER vs. Kia Rio
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Hyundai VELOSTER and Kia Rio 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 Hyundai VELOSTER and the Kia Rio.
When we compare the Hyundai VELOSTER's and the Kia Rio's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai VELOSTER has the advantage in the areas of resale value, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. The Kia Rio has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and reliability. Based on this comparison of the Hyundai VELOSTER's and the Kia Rio's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai VELOSTER is a better car than the Kia Rio.
Pricing: A used 2021 Hyundai VELOSTER ranges from $16,648 to $24,965 while a used 2021 Kia Rio is priced between $12,995 to $18,998.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Hyundai VELOSTER loses 28.1 percent of its value and the Kia Rio loses 29 percent of its value. This means the Hyundai VELOSTER retains 0.9 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Kia Rio.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Hyundai VELOSTER is 8.8 out of 10 while the Kia Rio's quality rating is 8.2 out of 10. This results in the Hyundai VELOSTER being ranked 9 out of 43 Best Small Cars and the Kia Rio being ranked 22 out of 43.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Hyundai VELOSTER is 7.7 out of 10. For the Kia Rio the reliability rating is 7.7 out of 10. This gives the Kia Rio a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Hyundai VELOSTER.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Hyundai VELOSTER’s base engine makes 147 horsepower, and the Kia Rio base engine makes 120 horsepower. The VELOSTER is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 436 miles. The Rio is rated to deliver an average of 36 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 488 miles. This gives the Kia Rio the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Hyundai VELOSTER. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Hyundai VELOSTER, a compact car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Kia Rio, a subcompact car, has the advantage in the areas of front head room and rear head room.
Safety Ratings: The Hyundai VELOSTER has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$18,900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$21,197
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$15,295 - $28,695
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$16,050
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact Cars)
$19,273
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
$13,600 - $29,900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$21,178
Price Range:
$16,648 - $24,965
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$21,394
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$13,751 - $30,996
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
4
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
51,926
# Good or Great Deals:
0
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$15,708
Price Range:
$12,995 - $18,998
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact Cars)
$19,485
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
$12,840 - $28,619
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
80
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
58,417
# Good or Great Deals:
38
Hyundai VELOSTER Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
7.7 / 10
Retained Value:
8.8 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Kia Rio Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.2 / 10
Reliability:
7.7 / 10
Retained Value:
8.7 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Hyundai VELOSTER
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.3
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
7.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
7.1 - 10.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
2.8%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Rio
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact Cars)
8.1
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
4.9 - 10
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.7%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.3 - 16.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.4
Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact Cars)
1.1 - 5.7
Hyundai VELOSTER Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 21Ranking
7 out of / 43Ranking
7 out of / 21Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
9 out of / 43Ranking
9 out of / 43Ranking
11 out of / 43Ranking
19 out of / 43Ranking
19 out of / 43Ranking
27 out of / 43Ranking
39 out of / 43Kia Rio Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 24Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 43Ranking
9 out of / 21Ranking
14 out of / 43Ranking
14 out of / 43Ranking
18 out of / 43Ranking
21 out of / 43Ranking
22 out of / 43Ranking
29 out of / 43Ranking
35 out of / 43Available Body Styles
Coupe
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Hyundai VELOSTER Trim Levels
2.0L, 2.0L Premium, Turbo 1.6T, Turbo R-Spec, Turbo Ultimate
Kia Rio Trim Levels
LX, S
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years
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):
5 out of 5 Stars
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:
147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque:
132 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 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:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 33 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
330 / 436 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
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Internet Radio:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Available
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Heated Seats
N/A
Internet Radio:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Pedestrian Detection:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.6 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56 inches
Rear Head Room:
35.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.3 inches
Cargo Space:
19.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
109.8 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:
2822 lbs
Width:
70.9 inches
Height:
55.1 inches
Length:
166.9 inches
Wheelbase:
104.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.6 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:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P215/45R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 5.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P185/65R15
Exterior Colors
Black
Ultra Black
Gray
Thunder Gray
Orange
Sunset Orange
Red
Racing Red
Silver
Sonic Silver
White
Chalk White / Lunar White
Exterior Colors
Black
Aurora Black
Gray
Not available
Orange
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Silky Silver
White
Clear White
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Interior Colors
Black
Black