But while the Kia Rio may be the smallest vehicle in Kia’s lineup, it’s not the only option for those looking for an affordable car with a small footprint. If you think smaller is better and want something fuel-efficient but still spacious, you’re in the right place.

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guru, as we cover the best compact and subcompact Kias on the market. We’ll look at Kia’s top three compact car options, as well as Kia’s other small offerings for sedans, SUVs, and minivans. We’ll even throw in the best tip for reducing your

Kia car insurance costs

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2022 Kia compact and subcompact car models

Currently, Kia has just two compact and subcompact cars on the market—one of which is a hatchback.

2022 Kia Rio ($17,545 MSRP)

The Kia Rio is Kia’s smallest and most versatile vehicle that comes in both a sedan and hatchback configuration. It’s pint-sized, relatively powerful, and surprisingly offers a lot of car for not a lot of money.

Although it may not be Kia’s best sedan, it earns relatively good ratings from car experts and comes in as one of the best cars under $20,000. It earned an 86/100 for quality and reliability from J.D. Power and the #1 spot in small cars, and Car and Driver backs its status with a 9/10 rating and an Editors Choice Award.

Drivers love the Kia Rio because it’s efficient, inexpensive, and surprisingly sophisticated—simply put, it’s excellent value for the money. Since many of the Rio’s competitors have left the marketplace, that leaves the Rio as one of the last truly cheap sedans you can buy.

Highlights of the Rio include:

Available hatchback configuration

A standard 120-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine

An 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone-mirroring options for Apple and Android phones

33/41 EPA-estimated mpg (city/highway)

Models starting from $17,545 to $18,485 MSRP

Weaknesses include:

Cramped rear seat

Limited cargo space

Less driver-assistance technology

MORE:

Best car insurance for Kia Rio 2022

2022 Kia Forte ($20,185 MSRP)

Kia’s only other compact car, the Kia Forte, is bigger than the Rio and takes the top spot as Kia’s best-selling sedan, placing only behind the Sportage and Seltos.

Compared to the Rio, the Forte offers more space, selection, and power—but still hits value on the mark. With a sharp exterior style, impressive fuel economy, and a list of standard features at a lower price than most competitors, the Kia Forte does a lot right.

While it once had a reputation for being cheap and unreliable, the new Forte is much better—and still cheap where it counts! It comes with a solid powertrain, more refined driving dynamics, and great ratings from the top car experts—83/100 overall from J.D. power and 7.5/10 from Car and Driver.

Highlights of the Kia Forte include:

Four well-equipped trims (FE, LXS, GT-Line, and GT)

Standard forward-collision warning with automated emergency braking and lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist

4-star safety rating from NHTSA

87/100 for quality and reliability from J.D. Power

31/41 EPA-estimated mpg (city/highway)

Weaknesses include:

Slow acceleration

No hatchback option

Less spacious rear seat than rivals

Stiff ride

MORE:

Kia Forte Vs. Toyota Corolla: Which Is Better?

Other small Kia models

The two models listed above may be Kia’s only compact offerings, but they’re not the only small Kias you should consider. Here are a few other small(ish) Kia models—both cars and SUVs—that may be worth your while:

Kia Niro ($26,490 MSRP): With available gas, hybrid, and all-electric powertrain, this compact SUV is the perfect marriage of good fuel economy with serious cargo versatility.

Kia EV6 ($41,400 MSRP): As Kia’s only all-electric car, the EV6 features a sleek and sporty exterior, a zippy on-road driving demeanor, and plenty of space despite its size.

Kia Soul ($26,975 MSRP): Small, eclectic, and spacious, the Kia Soul offers ample passenger and cargo space despite its small footprint—and it’s like nothing else on the road.

Kia Seltos ($25,075 MSRP): The Seltos may be Kia’s smallest SUV, but it squeezes sufficient space and a friendly driving demeanor into a subcompact package.

If you’re looking for a more spacious vehicle, Kia also has two larger sedans, the Stinger and K5, along with a range of SUVs and vans that include the Sportage, Sorento, Carnival, and Telluride—and there are plenty of hybrid and plug-in hybrid options.

MORE:

Everything you need to know about Kia electric cars

What is Kia’s smallest car?

The Kia Rio is the smallest car both currently and previously sold by Kia. Here are the specs that define this tiny ride:

Kia Rio wheelbase: 101.6 inches

Kia Rio 5-door wheelbase: 101.6 inches

Kia Rio passenger volume: 89.9 cubic feet

Kia Rio 5-door passenger volume: 90.5 cubic feet

What is Kia’s cheapest car?

This may come as a surprise—it’s also the Rio! If you’re looking for a small, budget-friendly car that may not come with all the bells and whistles but carries a great driving demeanor and excellent reviews, the Kia Rio’s starting price of $17,545 for 2022 can’t be beaten!

MORE:

Are Kias expensive to maintain?

How to save on Kia car insurance

When it comes to finding the right compact car, it can feel like you’re swimming in a sea of way too many choices. Whether you choose to go with a compact Kia or something slightly larger, finding the right car insurance policy can also leave you feeling like you’re swimming in a sea of quotes—how are you supposed to know which one is right for you?

Meet

Jerry

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