Last updated August 4, 2026
The Kia Rio lineup starts with the straightforward LX, Rio5 LX, and older base models, all centered on affordable, uncomplicated commuting. The S and EX trims add everyday convenience, with the S emphasizing useful basics and the EX adding more cabin polish, technology, and safety equipment. The Rio5 SX and SX form the sporty hatchback branch, pairing flexible cargo space with sharper road manners and a richer set of comfort features.
The Base Model trim level — LX, Rio5 LX, and the older base trim — is the simplest Rio, built around easy daily transportation with few extras.
Best for: Budget-minded commuters who want a small, straightforward car, or the added cargo flexibility of an older Rio5 LX hatchback.
Highlights
The Mid-Level trim level — EX and S — is the everyday-convenience Rio, adding useful comfort, access, and technology features without changing its small-car character.
Best for: Drivers who want a Rio that is easier to live with day to day, with the S covering practical conveniences and the EX adding more polish and safety technology.
Highlights
Adds everyday conveniences such as remote keyless entry and cruise control; S models also bring a split-folding rear seat and rear USB port, while EX models emphasize upgraded cabin trim and automatic emergency braking.
31 in stock
The Top Tier trim level — Rio5 SX and SX — is the sporty, well-equipped hatchback branch, known for sharper responses and upscale comfort features.
Best for: Someone who wants hatchback practicality plus a sportier feel and amenities beyond the Rio’s basic commuter formula.
Highlights
Moves beyond the convenience-focused S and EX with a sport-tuned hatchback setup and richer equipment such as heated leather-trimmed seats, navigation, a sunroof, and push-button start.
0 in stock| Feature | Top Tier | Mid-Level | Base Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Includes | Rio5 SX, SX0 in stock | EX, S31 in stock | LX, Rio5 LX, base20 in stock |
| Body style | Hatchback | Sedan or hatchback | Mostly sedan; Rio5 LX is a hatchback |
| Everyday convenience | Smart Key and push-button start | Keyless entry and cruise control | Essentials-focused |
| Phone and touchscreen tech | Touchscreen navigation | S: 8-inch wireless setup; EX: 7-inch Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | Recent LX: 8-inch screen and wireless phone integration |
| Sport-tuned suspension | Standard | — | — |
| Heated leather-trimmed front seats | Standard | — | — |
| Power sunroof | Standard | — | — |
| Automatic emergency braking | — | EX only | — |
| Latest listed engine output and fuel economy | Varies by model year | 120 hp; 32 city/41 highway mpg | 120 hp; 32 city/41 highway mpg |
No. LX usually identifies a basic Rio, but the middle step changed from EX in older lineups to S in newer ones. SX was the sporty top trim through 2017, while Rio5 identifies a hatchback. Always match the badge to the model year.
In recent years, S keeps the LX engine, automatic transmission, and touchscreen but adds remote keyless entry, cruise control, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, and a rear USB charging port. It is the more convenient everyday trim.
On newer models, both use the same basic engine, automatic transmission, touchscreen, and convenience equipment. The main difference is the body: the sedan has a trunk, while the hatchback’s liftgate and folding rear seat make bulky cargo easier to carry.
No. In the final Rio lineup, LX is sedan-only and the hatchback is S-only. Older generations also used the Rio5 LX name for a basic hatchback, so an LX badge does not identify the body style across every year.
It depends on the era. In the 2018 lineup, EX sat above S with upgraded cabin trim, a larger feature set, and automatic emergency braking. EX disappeared when the range was reduced to LX and S for 2019, leaving S as the newer step-up trim.
On third-generation models, EX is the comfort-and-convenience middle trim, while SX is the sportier top trim. SX adds a sport-tuned suspension, larger front brakes, paddle shifters, heated leather-trimmed seats, navigation, a sunroof, and push-button start.
Rio5 LX is the simpler hatchback, centered on air conditioning, a folding rear seat, and useful cargo space. Rio5 SX adds sportier exterior details, alloy wheels, fog lights, Bluetooth, cruise control, keyless entry, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
In recent years, LX is the straightforward commuter trim. It has the same 1.6-liter engine and automatic transmission as S, plus air conditioning, an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and heated power mirrors.
Look for a hatchback. In the final lineup, that means the S 5-Door; in older lineups, hatchbacks wear Rio5 or 5-Door names across several trims. The liftgate and folding rear seat are more useful for bulky items than the sedan’s trunk.
S has both in recent lineups. It adds remote keyless entry and steering-wheel cruise controls over LX, along with a split-folding rear seat and a rear USB charging port.
On 2021 through 2023 models, both LX and S have an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Earlier equipment varies; the 2018 EX used a 7-inch touchscreen with phone integration.
The 2018 EX included automatic emergency braking with forward-collision warning. This feature was not standard across that Rio lineup, so shoppers comparing older trims should not assume every LX or S has it.
No. In the third-generation lineup, SX used the same 1.6-liter engine as the other trims. Its sportier feel comes from a sport-tuned suspension, larger front brakes, and paddle shifters rather than extra engine output.
No. Core S equipment is fairly consistent in the newer lineup, but some 2021 through 2023 examples have a Technology Package and others do not. Check the actual car’s driver-assist features and controls rather than relying only on the S badge.