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The 2022 Kia Rio is a step above the Toyota Corolla in terms of sophistication, technology, and (of course) a mightily affordable price tag.
As the years go by, one automotive trend seems to stand true: Cars are getting more expensive. But if you’re after affordable, efficient driving, you’re not out of luck yet. Subcompact vehicles—including the Kia Rio, Toyota Corolla, and Honda Civic—offer value with a surprising amount of flair.
Most subcompacts hover around the $20,000 mark, but which gives the biggest bang for your buck?
Jerry
, the reliable super app created to make car insurance
easier, has the answer. We're settling the debate between the Kia Rio and Toyota Corolla—evaluating each ride in terms of value, efficiency, performance, and more.Pricing
The Rio and Corolla are Kia and Toyota’s most affordable vehicles, respectively. But these competitors don’t share a price tag. The Toyota Corolla is more expensive than the Kia Rio by a few thousand dollars. Let’s break down the pricing for each vehicle.
Model | MSRP | Model | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
2022 Toyota Corolla L | $21,450 | 2022 Kia Rio LX IVT | $17,545 |
2022 Toyota Corolla LE | $21,900 | 2022 Kia Rio S IVT | $18,185 |
2022 Toyota Corolla SE | $23,900 | 2022 Kia Rio Hatchback S IVT | $18,485 |
2022 Toyota Corolla XLE | $25,850 | N/A | N/A |
2022 Toyota Corolla XSE | $27,350 | N/A | N/A |
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversThere are only three model options for the Kia Rio. While that may disappoint drivers with a need for extra customization, each model is more affordable than its Corolla counterpart. In fact, no Kia Rio sells for more than $20,000.
The Kia Rio also beats the Toyota Corolla based on the true cost of ownership. According to Edmonds, a Toyota Corolla LE costs up to $28,107 for five years, including
Toyota Corolla LE car insurance
, maintenance, fuel, and depreciation.The true cost of ownership for the 2022 Kia Rio, on the other hand, only amounts to $26,861 for five years. Its most expensive cost is fuel, and the second most is its fifth year of maintenance. This makes the 2022 Kia Rio more affordable, at least in the first five years.
Performance
The Toyota Corolla wins the literal race over performance, thanks to a zippy engine and a comparative abundance of horsepower.
The Toyota Corolla starts with a 1.8-Liter V4 engine, capable of 139 horsepower. The Kia Rio starts with a 120-hp 1.6-Liter V4. This slight horsepower difference means the base Corolla is a hair faster than the Kia Rio. The Kia Rio’s lack of torque means that the Corolla is also better at transferring power to the wheels.
All in all, the base Toyota Corolla is the faster vehicle. But that’s not saying much. The Toyota Corolla reaches 60 mph in 8.2 seconds. The Kia Rio is pretty close behind at 8.6 seconds!
The 2022 Toyota Corolla also offers an optional 169-hp, 2.0-Liter V4 powertrain—with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Drivers can add a stick-shift to this engine, but only with the hatchback configuration. With customization, you can push the Corolla’s engine into stronger territory—just expect the price tag to push back.
Fuel efficiency
No surprise here—both of these vehicles are delightfully efficient. The Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE takes the crown with 52 mpg combined. The Kia Rio does not offer a hybrid option, so it falls short of the Corolla’s most efficient powertrain by about 16 combined mpg.
Not everyone can afford or wants to drive a hybrid, though. Explore the table below for an accurate look at each model and its EPA rating.
Model | Engine | Fuel economy (city/hwy/combined) |
|---|---|---|
2022 Toyota Corolla | 1.8L four-cylinder (base) | 30/38/33 mpg |
2022 Toyota Corolla | 2.0L four-cylinder | 31/40/34 mpg |
2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid | 1.8L four-cylinder | 53/52/52/ mpg |
2022 Kia Rio (all models) | 2.0L four-cylinder (base) | 33/41/36 mpg |
In all, the 2022 Kia Rio is more efficient than Toyota’s gas-powered Carolla. You can thank the Rio’s economically-tuned continuously variable transmission for its low fuel consumption.
Technology
In terms of technology, neither is a hard drive ahead of its competitors. Both the Rio and the Corolla have strengths and weaknesses.
The Carolla is the better choice for driver’s assistance features—blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, etc.—and receives a 5-star NHTSA rating. It’s way more customizable than the Kia Rio, but the Rio offers better practical features out the gate.
The 2022 Kia Rio features an 8-inch touchscreen (same as the Carolla), wireless smartphone mirroring for apple and Andriod products, and optional forward collision warning, lane-keeping, and emergency braking. The S trim option sweetens the deal with a Kia UVO telematics system and XM radio.
The Carolla, on the other hand, boasts ambient lighting, dual-zone climate, Apple Carplay, Wi-Fi hotspots, a JBL sound system, and much more. The level of your technology depends on which additional packages you purchase, though. So, creating a truly connected Carolla can come at a steep cost.
Reliability
Reliability-wise, these are two solid cars. The Corolla receives an 85/100 predicted reliability score from J.D. Power and a 4.5/5.0 RepairPal rating for the new model year. Not to mention, the Corolla ranked #1 out of RepairPal’s top 36 compact cars.
While it can’t quite compete with the Carolla’s stellar scores, the Kia Rio isn’t too shabby. The 2020 Kia Rio holds an 82/100 predictability score from J.D. Power and a 4.5/5.0 repair Pal reliability rating. The Kia Rio ranks #6 in RepairPal reliability compared to 36 compact cars.
Interior
The Corolla is a bit more spacious, but the Rio offers a more sophisticated feel.
Neither vehicle is crafted from the finest materials. However, the Rio easily takes the lead thanks to its simple design and solid center console. The 2022 Rio interior feels clean and easy to navigate—textured materials take it to a new level.
The Toyota Corolla offers more back seat and trunk space—it’s easy to feel squished in the Rio backseat. The Corolla solves this cramped feeling with additional headroom. Features like interior lighting and heated seats go a long way, but they aren’t standard.
Booth cars make an effort to appear more sophisticated than the price tag suggests. And they both—for the most part—succeed! Still, the Toyota Corolla is the roomier option.
Measurement | Toyota Corolla Sedan | Toyota Corolla Hatchback | Kia Rio Sedan | Kia Rio Hatchback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cargo volume | 13.1 cubic feet | 17.8 cubic feet | 13.7 cubic feet | 17.4 cubic feet |
Headroom (front seats) | 38.3 inches | 38.4 inches | 38.9 inches | 38.9 inches |
Legroom (front seats) | 42 inches | 42 inches | 42.1 inches | 42.1 inches |
Headroom (rear seats) 37.1 inches | 37.6 inches | 37.4 inches | 38 inches | |
Legroom (rear seats) | 34.8 inches | 29.9 inches | 33.4 inches | 33.5 inches |
Make auto loan refinancing easy with PriceProtect™
Make auto loan refinancing easy with PriceProtect™
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversRear-seat passengers might feel a tad bit squeezed by the hatchback configuration, but the additional trunk space is massive. The hatchback Rio increases trunk space by nearly 25%, and the rear seats can be lowered to create more space.
The final word
The 2022 Kia Rio and Toyota Carolla are nearly identical in the features that matter most—power, space, and efficiency.
However, the Kia Rio takes the lead as a cheaper and more efficient car if you’re strictly looking for a gas-model. The Carolla may be slightly faster, but the Rio has a similar build and reliability rating for a mere $17,545.
Maybe you’re after something a bit more powerful, or you don’t mind shelling out for all the upgrades on a Toyota Corolla. Just keep in mind that these add-on packages and additional features will cause your
Toyota Corolla insurance costs
to rise for the long haul. But if you’re looking for the most affordable snazzy compact, we can’t recommend the Kia Rio enough.How to find cheap car insurance for a Kia Rio
It doesn’t get much better than an affordable Kia Rio. But did you know the Kia Rio just got way more affordable, thanks to
Jerry
? Probably not.You’ll likely pay too much for your
Kia car insurance
if you don’t compare multiple offers first. That’s why Jerry, a licensed broker, takes the guessing game out of insurance. No more: Am I getting the best deal with X, or what kind of discounts does Y offer? Just the best rates from sourced more than 50+ top providers, expert customer service, and top-level savings in under 45 seconds.“I was tired of looking around multiple websites, so I decided to giveJerrya try. Let me tell you—the process is so easy and simple, and they really find you the best prices for your coverage level. Getting insurance for my new car was quick and easy!” —Joanna D.
FAQs
Is a Kia Rio bigger than a Toyota Corolla?
The 2022 Toyota Corolla is slightly bigger, with a wheelbase of 106.3 inches. That’s 4.6 inches longer than the Kia Rio—but bigger isn’t always better.
Which is better on gas, Corolla or Rio?
The Rio narrowly beats out the Corolla in terms of gas-power efficiency, averaging 36 combined mpg compared to the base Carolla’s 33 mpg. However, the hybrid Carolla blows both of these out of the water with a combined 52 mpg.
Is the Kia Rio more expensive than the Toyota Corolla?
No! The Kia Rio starts at $17,545. That’s almost $3,000 less than the 2022 Toyota Carolla—starting at $20,425.
By Max Werner
Expert Insurance Writer
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett.
- Pricing
- Performance
- Fuel efficiency
- Technology
- Reliability
- Interior
- The final word
- How to find cheap car insurance for a Kia Rio
- FAQs
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