Kia Rio MPG by year — every rating on record

The Kia Rio has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 23 model years, from 2001 to 2023. Across those years its best rated version returned 36 mpg (2020) and its thirstiest returned 24 mpg (2002). The EPA record holds 44 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Compact Cars.

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Kia Rio placed highest in 2007 at #4 of 47, and lowest in 2014 at #30 of 96. It spent 23 of its 23 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 44 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 7 of 10 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

What Rio fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2023 Kia Rio burns 319 to 319 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.

EPA’s own estimate for the 2023 model year is $1,750 to $1,750 a year in fuel, or $2,500 less than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Compact Cars

Across the 498 nameplates EPA classifies as Compact Cars, the median best combined rating is 26 mpg. At 36 mpg the Kia Rio is 10 mpg better the median, which is worth about $430 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

• All Compact Cars rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.

Other Kia nameplates

Every Kia model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.