Kia Rio vs. Kia Sportage
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Rio and Kia Sportage 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 Kia Rio and the Kia Sportage.
When we compare the Kia Rio's and the Kia Sportage's specifications and ratings, the Kia Rio has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and resale value. The Kia Sportage has the advantage in the areas of reliability, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Kia Rio's and the Kia Sportage's specifications and ratings, the Kia Rio is a better car than the Kia Sportage.
Pricing: A used 2023 Kia Rio ranges from $13,977 to $19,993 while a used 2023 Kia Sportage is priced between $20,456 to $30,999. For a new model, the Kia Rio's price is between $17,934 and $20,795, with the Kia Sportage priced between $28,124 and $39,284.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Kia Rio loses 35.6 percent of its value and the Kia Sportage loses 47.1 percent of its value. This means the Kia Rio retains 11.5 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Kia Sportage.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Kia Rio is 8.1 out of 10 while the Kia Sportage's quality rating is 8.2 out of 10. This results in the Kia Rio being ranked 17 out of 31 Best Small Cars and the Kia Sportage being ranked 7 out of 19 Best Small SUVs.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Kia Rio is 7.4 out of 10. For the Kia Sportage the reliability rating is 7.5 out of 10. This gives the Kia Sportage a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Kia Rio.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Kia Rio’s base engine makes 120 horsepower, and the Kia Sportage base engine makes 187 horsepower. The Rio is rated to deliver an average of 36 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 488 miles. The Sportage is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 458 miles. This gives the Kia Rio the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Kia Sportage. Both models use regular unleaded.
Safety Ratings: The Kia Sportage has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
17934 - 20795
Starting MSRP:
16750
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact Cars)
22144
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
15980 - 32400
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
28124 - 39284
Starting MSRP:
26290
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
27723
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
23610 - 37695
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
16883
Price Range:
13977 - 19993
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact Cars)
21488
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
15025 - 30886
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
230
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
49937
# Good or Great Deals:
71
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
25945
Price Range:
20456 - 30999
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
26187
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
21318 - 30705
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
2125
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
53844
# Good or Great Deals:
1327
Kia Rio Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
7.4 / 10
Retained Value:
8.8 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Kia Sportage Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.2 / 10
Reliability:
7.5 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Rio
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6.8
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact Cars)
8.7
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
6.1 - 13.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.042
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Sportage
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
8.0
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)
9.1
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)
7.6 - 13.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.085
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.8959220238278798
Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact Cars)
1.7
Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact Cars)
1.3 - 7.9
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
11.840293597286609
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
3.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.3 - 17.9
Kia Rio Rankings
Ranking
5 out of / 10Ranking
7 out of / 10Ranking
10 out of / 31Ranking
15 out of / 31Ranking
15 out of / 31Ranking
17 out of / 31Ranking
20 out of / 31Ranking
21 out of / 31Ranking
27 out of / 31Kia Sportage Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 18Ranking
4 out of / 4Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 12Ranking
7 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 12Ranking
7 out of / 7Ranking
8 out of / 66Ranking
9 out of / 18Ranking
10 out of / 19Ranking
11 out of / 66Ranking
11 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 20Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
13 out of / 19Ranking
14 out of / 66Ranking
15 out of / 54Ranking
15 out of / 54Ranking
17 out of / 66Ranking
19 out of / 66Ranking
20 out of / 66Ranking
25 out of / 66Ranking
28 out of / 66Ranking
31 out of / 66Ranking
33 out of / 66Ranking
45 out of / 66Ranking
45 out of / 66Ranking
48 out of / 66Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Kia Rio Trim Levels
LX, S
Kia Sportage Trim Levels
EX, LX, SX, SX-Prestige, X-Line, X-Pro, X-Pro Prestige
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
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 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
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
187 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque:
178 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.055 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
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):
32 / 41 / 36
Range (city/hwy):
381 / 488 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 32 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
358 / 458 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
Alloy wheels:
Available
Internet Radio:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
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 Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
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
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:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
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:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
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
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
89.9 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
41.3 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.6 inches
Cargo Space:
39.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
74.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
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:
3373 lbs
Width:
73.4 inches
Height:
65.4 inches
Length:
183.5 inches
Wheelbase:
108.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.1 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:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/65R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Aurora Black
Silver
Silky Silver
White
Clear White
Gray
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Ebony Black / Fusion Black
Silver
Everlasting Silver
White
Glacial White Pearl / Snow White Pearl
Gray
Gravity Gray / Steel Gray
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Interior Colors
Black
Saturn Black
