Kia Rio vs. Nissan Kicks
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Rio and Nissan Kicks 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 Nissan Kicks.
When we compare the Kia Rio's and the Nissan Kicks'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 Nissan Kicks has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Kia Rio's and the Nissan Kicks's specifications and ratings, the Kia Rio is a better car than the Nissan Kicks.
Pricing: A used 2023 Kia Rio ranges from $13,977 to $19,993 while a used 2023 Nissan Kicks is priced between $15,990 to $23,590. For a new model, the Kia Rio's price is between $17,934 and $20,795, with the Nissan Kicks priced between $22,451 and $27,325.
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 Nissan Kicks loses 39 percent of its value. This means the Kia Rio retains 3.4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Nissan Kicks.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Kia Rio’s base engine makes 120 horsepower, and the Nissan Kicks base engine makes 122 horsepower. The Rio is rated to deliver an average of 36 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 488 miles. The Kicks is rated to deliver an average of 33 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 389 miles. This gives the Kia Rio the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Nissan Kicks. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Nissan Kicks, a crossover/subcompact SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front leg room, rear head room, and cargo space. The Kia Rio, a subcompact car, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: The Nissan Kicks has an average safety rating of 4 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:
22451 - 27325
Starting MSRP:
20590
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact SUVs)
25483
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
19650 - 34950
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:
19746
Price Range:
15990 - 23590
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact SUVs)
23866
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
19042 - 30187
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
659
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
46627
# Good or Great Deals:
295
Kia Rio Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
7.4 / 10
Retained Value:
8.8 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Nissan Kicks Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.5 / 10
Safety:
7.0 / 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 Nissan Kicks
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact SUVs)
9.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
7.1 - 11.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
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:
1.8196390701716452
Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
2.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
1.2 - 14.0
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 / 31Nissan Kicks Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 54Ranking
4 out of / 21Ranking
4 out of / 21Ranking
4 out of / 14Ranking
5 out of / 21Ranking
5 out of / 21Ranking
6 out of / 66Ranking
6 out of / 21Ranking
8 out of / 21Ranking
8 out of / 21Ranking
14 out of / 66Ranking
16 out of / 21Ranking
17 out of / 21Ranking
22 out of / 66Ranking
24 out of / 66Ranking
40 out of / 66Ranking
41 out of / 66Ranking
45 out of / 66Ranking
60 out of / 66Ranking
62 out of / 66Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Kia Rio Trim Levels
LX, S
Nissan Kicks Trim Levels
S, SR, SV
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:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 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):
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
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:
122 hp @ 6300 rpm
Torque:
114 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.045 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:
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):
31 / 36 / 33
Range (city/hwy):
335 / 389 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:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
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 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:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
Available
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:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Available
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:
40.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
33.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.2 inches
Cargo Space:
25.3 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
53.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
118 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:
2685 lbs
Width:
69.3 inches
Height:
63.3 inches
Length:
169.6 inches
Wheelbase:
103.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
7 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:
16.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P205/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Aurora Black
Silver
Silky Silver
White
Clear White
Blue
Not available
Gray
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Super Black
Silver
Not available
White
Fresh Powder
Blue
Electric Blue Metallic
Gray
Gun Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Interior Colors
Black
Charcoal
