Compare the2022 Hyundai ElantraVS 2021 Kia Rio

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Elantra Limited has standard Reverse Parking Collision Avoidance Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Rio doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Elantra’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Rio and is only available on Rio S.

The Elantra’s blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. The Rio doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Elantra’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Rio doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The Elantra SEL/Limited has a standard Blue Link, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Rio doesn’t offer a GPS response system, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Elantra and the Rio have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available rear parking sensors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Elantra the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 135 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Rio last would have qualified as a “Top Pick” in 2019.

Warranty

The Elantra’s corrosion warranty is 2 years and unlimited miles longer than the Rio’s (7/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Elantra for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Rio.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Elantra has a standard 150-amp alternator. The Rio’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 9 places higher in reliability than Kia.

Engine

The Elantra’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 27 more horsepower (147 vs. 120) and 20 lbs.-ft. more torque (132 vs. 112) than the Rio’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Elantra SE gets better fuel mileage than the Rio (33 city/43 hwy vs. 33 city/41 hwy).

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the Elantra SE’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Rio doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Brakes and Stopping

The Hyundai Elantra has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Only rear drums come on the Rio. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

The Elantra stops shorter than the Rio:

	Elantra	Rio
60 to 0 MPH	128 feet	131 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	140 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Elantra has larger standard tires than the Rio (195/65R15 vs. 185/65R15). The Elantra’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Rio (225/45R17 vs. 185/65R15).

The Elantra’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Rio’s 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Elantra offers optional 17-inch wheels. The Rio’s largest wheels are only 15-inches.

The Hyundai Elantra’s wheels have 5 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Kia Rio only has 4 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling

The Elantra has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Rio doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Elantra’s wheelbase is 5.5 inches longer than on the Rio (107.1 inches vs. 101.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Elantra is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Rio.

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Elantra a Mid-size car, while the Rio Sedan is rated a Compact.

The Elantra has 9.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Rio Sedan (99.4 vs. 89.9).

The Elantra has 1.7 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more front hip room, 2.4 inches more front shoulder room, 4.5 inches more rear legroom and 2.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Rio Sedan.

Cargo Capacity

The Elantra has a larger trunk than the Rio Sedan (14.2 vs. 13.7 cubic feet).

The Elantra’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Rio LX doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, just waiting momentarily behind the back bumper can open the Elantra SEL/Limited’s trunk, leaving your hands completely free. The Rio doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Ergonomics

To help each driver find a more comfortable driving position, the Elantra has a telescoping steering wheel. Much better than just a tilt steering wheel or adjustable seat, this allows a short driver to sit further from the steering wheel while maintaining contact with the pedals. The Rio doesn’t offer a telescoping steering wheel.

The Elantra SEL/Limited’s driver’s power window opens or closes with one touch of the window control. The Rio’s driver’s power window switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully.

The Proximity Key standard on the Elantra SEL/Limited allows you to unlock the driver’s door, trunk and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Kia Rio’s available Smart Key doesn’t unlock the trunk.

The Elantra (except SE) offers optional heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the Rio.

The Elantra offers an optional center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Rio doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Elantra SEL/Limited’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Rio doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Elantra has standard rear heat vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Rio doesn’t offer rear vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Elantra (except SE) offers an optional Smart Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Rio doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To direct the driver from any location to a given street address, a GPS navigation system is standard on the Elantra Limited. The Elantra’s navigation system also has a real-time traffic update feature that offers alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Rio doesn’t offer a navigation system.

With standard voice command, the Elantra Limited offers the driver hands free control of the radio, climate controls and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Rio doesn’t offer a voice control system.

Economic Advantages

The Elantra will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Elantra will retain 46.83% to 50.5% of its original price after five years, while the Rio only retains 45.24% to 45.96%.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Elantra, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Kia Rio isn't recommended.

The Hyundai Elantra outsold the Kia Rio by almost five to one during the 2021 model year.