Compare the2024 Subaru ImprezaVS 2023 Kia Rio

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Impreza have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Kia Rio doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Subaru Impreza has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Rio doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Impreza has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Rio doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Impreza has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Rio doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Impreza’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 Impreza (except Base)’s optional 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. 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 Impreza (except Base)’s optional Rear Cross Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Rio doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

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

The Subaru Impreza achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Rio is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Warranty

The Impreza’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Rio runs out after 100,000 miles.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Impreza’s reliability 19 points higher than the Rio.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 4 places higher in reliability than Kia.

Engine

The Impreza’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 32 more horsepower (152 vs. 120) and 33 lbs.-ft. more torque (145 vs. 112) than the Rio’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Impreza RS’ standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 62 more horsepower (182 vs. 120) and 66 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 112) than the Rio’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Impreza lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The Rio doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Impreza’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.

The Impreza has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Rio (16.6 vs. 11.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Subaru Impreza higher (7 out of 10) than the Kia Rio (3). This means the Impreza produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Rio every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Impreza’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Rio:

	Impreza	Impreza Sport/RS	Rio
Front Rotors	11.6 inches	12.4 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	11.2 inches	11.2 inches	8” drums
Opt Rear Rotors			10.3 inches

The Impreza’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Rio S are solid, not vented.

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

The Impreza stops shorter than the Rio:

	Impreza	Rio
60 to 0 MPH	129 feet	131 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Impreza has larger standard tires than the Rio (205/55R16 vs. 185/65R15). The Impreza Sport/RS’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Rio (225/40R18 vs. 185/65R15).

The Impreza’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Rio’s standard 65 series tires. The Impreza Sport/RS’ tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Rio’s 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Impreza has standard 16-inch wheels. Only 15-inch wheels are available on the Rio. The Impreza Sport/RS has standard 18-inch wheels.

The Subaru Impreza’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

For superior ride and handling, the Subaru Impreza has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Kia Rio has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Impreza has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Impreza flat and controlled during cornering. The Rio’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Impreza’s wheelbase is 3.5 inches longer than on the Rio (105.1 inches vs. 101.6 inches).

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Impreza a Large car, while the Rio Sedan is rated a Compact.

The Impreza has 10.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Rio Sedan (100.5 vs. 89.9).

The Impreza has .9 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front legroom, 2.2 inches more front hip room, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, 3 inches more rear legroom, .8 inches more rear hip room and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Rio Sedan.

Cargo Capacity

The Impreza has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the Rio Sedan (20.4 vs. 13.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Impreza easier. The Impreza’s trunk lift-over height is 26 inches, while the Rio’s liftover is 28.3 inches.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Impreza’s hatch uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the cargo area. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the Rio’s useful trunk space.

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

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Impreza is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Rio. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

To help each driver find a more comfortable driving position, the Impreza 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 Impreza’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch. The Rio has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Impreza’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Rio’s power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

The Impreza’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Rio’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Impreza has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Rio doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Impreza’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Rio offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Impreza (except Base) 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 Impreza Sport/RS has a standard 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 Impreza’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.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Impreza has a standard Adaptive 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.

With standard voice command, the Impreza 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Subaru Impreza offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Rio doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Recommendations

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

The Subaru Impreza outsold the Kia Rio by 30% during 2023.