Crash Test Rating
Source   NHTSA
MPG (up to)
28 City / 36 HWY
Horsepower
138
Seats
5
Front passenger 3/4 w/ wheels turned.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Wanda B
2012 Kia Rio a spacious sedan.
I have had no issues with my car, it gets very good mileage, handles well. As the only owner of this car it is been totally reliable in the almost seven years I have owned it and I feel comfortable that I am not bombarded with features, there's just enough technology for me. Because I am an older driver, I still enjoy manual locks and windows which I have and the newer features like the alarm that reminds me to take my keys from the ignition before exiting the car or the automatic shutting off of my headlights a few minutes after I exit my car when I forget to turn off my lights are great for someone forgetful like me. Anyway, I would recommend the Kia Rio for anyone, they have surprisingly spacious cabins and trunks and basically give you a very good deal for your money whether you purchase a relatively bare bones manual model like mine or opt for a fully automatic one with all the bells and whistles. I am sure all of Kia models are fine, but I really love my Rio!
accountCircle Amanda S
The 2012 Kia Rio is worth having to keep your family moving with no regrets!
Great little car! Never had problems with it! The only thing major I have had to fix was the brakes. This car gets 28 miles per gallon and practically glides on the ride. Handles corners good for a small compact ride. One major feature that its missing is cruise control. Features the Kia has is CD player, aux cord, power windows, heat, ac, power locks, hatchback back for much needed space, and rear wipers. Overall the Kia Rio is worth the money if you want a long lasting vehicle.
accountCircle Ken W
Great gas mileage: 28 mpg city, 40 mpg highway.
I own a 2012 Kia Rio sedan. It gets very good gas mileage and is relatively maintenance free. It is extremely reliable and is quite comfortable for its small size. There haven't been any major issues with this vehicle beyond normal wear and tear parts.
accountCircle Sarah S
Kia Rio hatchback has great gas mileage for long roadtrips
I have a white 4 door hatchback Kia Rio, 2012 model. I like that it's small because it's easy to park. It also gets great gas mileage. The only thing that I don't like about it is that sometimes when it's windy it can be a little difficult to control.
accountCircle Mariana Y
The best car I have driven so far.
My car is very easy to drive. Its brakes are smooth, and you can see really well from all angles in the windows. It is small and petite, so it is easy to take it to the city and park it in small places. I have had this car for several years and it is good for beginners or long term drivers.
accountCircle Randy H
Fun times together with friends.
Good on fuel and easy to drive the car and fun to drive to the beach and good time with my friends. Good amount of power for a small car to drive. Nice product to use when you want to take a joy ride with friends and family. Nice times with friends going surfing at the beach.
accountCircle Andrea J
The Kia Rio is in the same class as a Toyota Corolla or a Honda Civic but people often overlooked them.
My Kia Rio is very gas efficient. It is an easy vehicle to work on (change oil, brakes, spark plugs, etc). The backseat can accommodate tall people comfortably (6'3"+). Nice little features live USB and auxiliary ports. It's a four cylinder so the acceleration is a bit slow.
accountCircle Jodi S
Not a whole bunch in it like everything about it.
I didn't have any trouble when I got it later the gdi gas pump went out replaced it and haven't had any other trouble. Great all my family can fit in it. Love it but need something bigger just not big enough for my kids now because they're getting bigger.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle David C
2012 Kia Rio is the ultimate commuter car.
A 2012 Kia Rio is a very reliable car. Very cheap to maintain and the gas is very affordable. The car has Bluetooth and an adapter for your phone. The car is very compact but still very comfortable ride. Great car for a new driver or for someone with a long commute.
accountCircle Mark Bradfield
Horrible on gas
What's with all the reviews about good gas mileage? This car manufacturer was taken to court for falsely advertising good gas mileage and lost. Now we get money back every year based on our miles and it only gets me to work and back 4 times b4 it needs more gas (30 mins one way) My F150 has better gas mileage.
accountCircle Liz S
Steer clear of the Kia riot.
It is a mobile blind-spot. Under the hood is organized incredibly oddly and it is incredibly hard to work on.
accountCircle Lori M
Not worth the money, if you want a long term car, this isn't it.
This car continues to give me problems every day. It has stalled, overheated, blown hoses, etc. If I idle for too long (like at a red light) the car shuts off and is a pain to get started again. I have replaced many things on this car, probably spending more than it's worth. My negative experiences with this car has really turned me off of this company.
accountCircle Lisa F
Kia Rio summary- good and bad.
Good daily driver but loud road noise, no cruise control, manual transmission option weak. Gas mileage is great at 35+ mph. Light colored upholstery easily stains. Passenger seat sits very low and it is uncomfortable. Did not come with spare tire, rather an air pump. Good trunk space. No leg room in back seat.
accountCircle Loriana M
Runs excellent but dents easy
The performance has been excellent so far. The only problems I have had is how easily dented it is.
accountCircle Herbert H
Kia 2012 Rio: I probably could've chosen better.
Too compact for bigger people and head a lot of engine problems. However it has excellent fuel economy and great for everyday driving. I guess I would recommend it for anybody looking for a cheap car temporarily. Wouldn't recommend the upgrades because there is not much to them for the extra couple thousand.
accountCircle Laura B
My car is a small compact car. It had a fix a flat in the truck.
There has been a consistent issue with the starter and the fuel line. It has never had good acceleration and the car is very light. I have replaced the brakes and calipers on the vehicle 2 times. I have a terrible time getting the car to accelerate and no mechanic has ever been able to find the actual problem. The computer system has gone haywire and all sorts of dash alert lights go off when there is no problem.

Kia Rio Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

car
LX
138 HP 31 MPG 5 Seats
car
EX
138 HP 31 MPG 5 Seats
car
SX
138 HP 31 MPG 5 Seats
Photos may not match model

2012 Kia Rio Owner Reviews

4.06
109 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 39%
4 stars 39%
3 stars 16%
2 stars 6%
1 star 2%
accountCircle Kristen B on June 25, 2021
Overall this is a good car.
Tire pressure light is always on with not pressure issue. Went to the dealership and they could not figure it out and just got new tires so that is annoying. The seats are also extremely low also can make it difficult to get comfortable. The radio switch button on the steering wheel also no longer works to control devices.
accountCircle benjamin D on June 20, 2021
Excellent car to drive and own.
Nome runs smooth and dual engine. Gas saver doesn't make noise when you start engine or rev car. Very safe and reliable and good when on wear and tear on car. Doesn't waste gas when idling for large amounts of time. The suspension on the car is amazing the bumps run smooth on road and highways.

Ranks #27 Small Cars by Owners

The 2012 Kia Rio has an average owner rating of 4.16 out of 5 which ranks it #27 of 36 other Small Cars.

1
car
4.8
2
car
4.76
27
car
4.06

Ranks #6 Small Cars by Fuel Economy

The 2012 Kia Rio has a combined MPG of 38 which ranks it #6 of 36 other Small Cars.

1
Tie
car
42 MPG
1
Tie
car
42 MPG
6
Tie
car
36 MPG

Is The 2012 Kia Rio A Good Car?

Yes, it's a very good car, it gets me everywhere I need to go without having to pay a lot for gas and its nice and spacious
Katie M.
Yes, very good with good gas mileage it is dependable and reliable the ultimate car for work and leisure.
Kayla W.

How Reliable Is The 2012 Kia Rio?

No it does not I been having this car for 6 months now and I've only had to get oil changes no major work done on it
Ree S.
I have had no serious problems with the Kia Rio. It is actually the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned outside of a Pontiac.
Erika S.

Is The 2012 Kia Rio A Good Value?

16,000 and yes I believe it's a great value car I'm making payments but they are not high and I love the car
shruti M.
It was about 15000 brand new which I believe is very reasonably priced it also came with a ten year warranty bumper to bumper.
Nicole L.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the 2012 Kia Rio idle air control valve location?

Answer: The 2012 Kia Rio's IAC or "Idle Air Control Valve" is mounted on the throttle body. The throttle body is accessible from inside the engine bay and under hood. Locate the black air filter boxAgainst the driver's...

Does the 2012 Kia Rio have a timing belt or chain?

Answer: The 2012 Kia Rio has a timing chain. The expected cost for a Kia Rio timing chain tensioner replacement is between $465 and $560. Labor costs are priced between $374 and $470 while parts are priced at $101. You...

What's the 2012 kia rio oil type?

Answer: The 2012 Kia Rio came standard with a 1.6L 4Cylinder across all trim levels which includes the EX, LX, LX plus, and SX models. All of these trim levels will have the same oil capacity which iS3.8 US quarts when...

Answers are provided by third parties. We do not guarantee accuracy of responses

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Roof Strength

Driver-side Overlap Front

*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety