Against 483 other 4-cyl cars rated 2021–2023, the Rio beats their 26.7 mpg average by 9.3 mpg, about $371 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 2001, the 1.6L 4-cyl (2003–2023), does 31 mpg and the thirstiest, the 1.5L 4-cyl (2001–2002), 26: $238 a year apart.
Every Kia Rio engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 27.5 / 35.9 | 2003–2023 | $1,239 | |
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 23.5 / 29 | 2001–2002 | $1,477 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Nissan Versa gets 35 mpg, the Audi A4 29 mpg and the Volkswagen Jetta 34.7 mpg, next to 36 mpg for the 2023 Rio. The Rio is the cheapest of them to run: $257 a year less than the Audi A4.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2023) | $0.089 |
| Fuel per year | $1,067 |
| Fuel over five years | $5,335 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars, 2021–2023 | −$371 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,067 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2023 Kia Rio gives up 9 mpg in town: 41 on the highway against 32 in the city, $263 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2023) | 32 mpg | $1,200 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 41 mpg | $937 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +9 mpg (28%) | Typical for its type |
How the Rio changed over the years
The Rio peaked in 2023 at 36 mpg (32 city, 41 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2005 at 25 — 11 mpg apart, or $469 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The biggest single-year change came in 2020: 32 to 36 mpg.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 32 / 41 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2022 | 33 / 41 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2021 | 33 / 41 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2020 | 33 / 41 | 1 | $1,067 | |
| 2019 | 28 / 37 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2018 | 28 / 37 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2017 | 27 / 36 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2016 | 27 / 36 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2015 | 27 / 36 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2014 | 27 / 36 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2013 | 29 / 37 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2012 | 29 / 37 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2011 | 27 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2010 | 28 / 34 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2009 | 26 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2008 | 25 / 35 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2007 | 25 / 35 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2006 | 25 / 35 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2005 | 22 / 29 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2004 | 23 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2003 | 23 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2002 | 23 / 29 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2001 | 24 / 29 | 1 | $1,477 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we count
This page rests on 23 EPA ratings of the Kia Rio — 2 engines across 2001–2023. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,067. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2023 Kia Rio get?
36 mpg combined, 32 city and 41 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2001 the Rio has averaged 30.6 mpg.
Is the 2023 Rio more efficient than the 2022?
About the same: 36 against 36 mpg combined.
Which Rio year has the best gas mileage?
The 2023, at 36 mpg combined (32 city, 41 highway), which is also the latest model year we hold.
Does the Rio get better gas mileage than the Nissan Versa?
Yes: 36 mpg for the 2023 Rio against 35 for the 2024 Nissan Versa, about $30 a year less to run.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.