Kia Rio vs. Mitsubishi Lancer
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Rio and Mitsubishi Lancer 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 Mitsubishi Lancer.
In comparing the Kia Rio's and the Mitsubishi Lancer's specifications and ratings, 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. The Mitsubishi Lancer has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Kia Rio's and the Mitsubishi Lancer's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2017 Kia Rio ranges from $6,930 to $14,995 while a used 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer is priced between $7,978 to $16,992.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Kia Rio’s base engine makes 138 horsepower, and the Mitsubishi Lancer base engine makes 148 horsepower. The Rio is rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 410 miles. The Lancer is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 512 miles.This gives the Kia Rio the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Mitsubishi Lancer the advantage in maximum range. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Mitsubishi Lancer has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Kia Rio, a subcompact car, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front leg room, rear head room, and cargo space.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$14,165
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact Cars)
$16,851
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
$11,990 - $25,950
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$17,795
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$10,645
Price Range:
$6,930 - $14,995
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact Cars)
$13,123
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
$9,379 - $22,885
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
65
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
94,548
# Good or Great Deals:
17
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$12,086
Price Range:
$7,978 - $16,992
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
26
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
102,007
# Good or Great Deals:
6
Kia Rio Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.2 / 10
Reliability:
7.7 / 10
Retained Value:
8.7 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Mitsubishi Lancer Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Rio
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
2.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact Cars)
3.9
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact Cars)
0.9 - 6.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.7%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mitsubishi Lancer
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
3.6
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
26.9%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact Cars)
1.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact Cars)
0.5 - 3.5
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Kia 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 / 43Mitsubishi Lancer Rankings
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Kia Rio Trim Levels
EX, LX
Mitsubishi Lancer Trim Levels
ES, LE, SE, SEL
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
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
138 hp @ 6300 rpm
Torque:
123 foot-lbs @ 4850 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
148 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
145 foot-lbs @ 4200 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.6 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
27 / 36 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
308 / 410 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
24 / 33 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
372 / 512 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Bluetooth:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
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 Ignition:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
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
Bench Seats:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup 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
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
Standard
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:
40 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
31.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
52.1 inches
Cargo Space:
13.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
88.4 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.3 inches
Cargo Space:
12.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
93.5 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2656 lbs
Width:
67.7 inches
Height:
57.3 inches
Length:
172 inches
Wheelbase:
101.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2888 lbs
Width:
69.4 inches
Height:
58.3 inches
Length:
182.1 inches
Wheelbase:
103.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 5.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
185/65R15
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Aurora Black
Red
Signal Red
Silver
Bright Silver
White
Clear White
Blue
Not available
Gray
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Labrador Black Pearl
Red
Rally Red Metallic
Silver
Alloy Silver Metallic
White
Diamond White Pearl
Blue
Octane Blue Pearl
Gray
Mercury Gray Pearl
Interior Colors
Beige
Beige
Black
Black
Interior Colors
Beige
Beige
Black
Black
