Kia Rio 0–60 Times
The Kia Rio 0–60 times and quarter-mile times below are from 17 recorded performance tests sourced from reputable automotive resources such as Car and Driver, Motor Trend and Motor Week and more.
The fastest tested Kia Rio is the 2012 Kia Rio LX 5-door Hatchback, which went from 0 to 60 mph in 7.90 seconds, reaching the ¼ mile in 16.40 seconds at 84.9 mph, according to Motor Trend.
The slowest tested Kia Rio is the 2001 Kia Rio Sedan, which took 10.70 seconds to reach 60 mph, running the ¼ mile in 17.70 seconds at 76.4 mph, according to Motor Trend.
Out of all the Kia Rio tests in our database, the average 0–60 mph time is 9.09 seconds. The average quarter-mile time is 16.95 seconds at 82.15 mph.
Fastest 0–60
7.90sec
2012 LX 5-door Hatchback · stock
Average 0–60
9.09sec
Across 17 runs
Avg ¼ Mile
16.95sec
@ 82.2 mph trap
Slowest 0–60
10.70sec
2001 Sedan
Across 17 verified runs, the Kia Rio ranges from 7.90 to 10.70 seconds 0–60, with a 9.09-second average.
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Kia Rio Performance Overview
Kia’s Rio occupied the subcompact end of the market from 2001 to 2021, and across 17 verified tests it traces a steady, gasoline-only progression rather than sharp performance swings. Early DC-generation cars (2000–2005) used naturally aspirated four-cylinders rated at 96–104 hp, with the 2001 Sedan recording 9.3 seconds to 60 mph as that era’s best, while the slowest tested 2001 Sedan reached 60 mph in 10.7 seconds. The JB generation (2006–2011) moved to a 110-hp setup and tightened results modestly, led by the 2006 Rio5 SX 5-door Hatchback at 9.4 seconds.
The biggest step came with the UB generation (2012–2017), when the Gamma 1.6L GDI/G4FC raised output to 138 hp. That change produced the model’s quickest verified result: the 2012 LX 5-door Hatchback at 7.9 seconds to 60 mph and 16.4 seconds at 84.9 mph in the quarter-mile. In the final YB/SC era covered here (2018–2021 within the model’s production span), Rio performance settled slightly below that peak as naturally aspirated 1.6-liter output ranged from 120 to 130 hp; the best current-generation run is the 2018 EX 5-door Hatchback at 8.5 seconds to 60 mph.
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Kia Rio 0–60 Times by Generation: DC to YB/SC
4 generations| Generation | Years | Avg 0–60 | Fastest 0–60 | Tests | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YB/SC | 2018–2023 | 8.68s | 8.50s — 2018 EX 5-door Hatchback | 5 | The YB/SC generation (2018–2023) averaged 8.68 seconds to 60 mph across 5 tests, led by the 2018 EX 5-door Hatchback at 8.50 seconds. Output ranged from 120 to 130 hp across 1.6L I-4 configurations. |
| UB | 2012–2017 | 8.62s | 7.90s — 2012 LX 5-door Hatchback | 6 | The UB generation (2012–2017) averaged 8.62 seconds to 60 mph across 6 tests, led by the 2012 LX 5-door Hatchback at 7.90 seconds. Output was 138 hp across 1.6L I-4 configurations. |
| JB | 2006–2011 | 9.65s | 9.40s — 2006 Rio5 SX 5-door Hatchback | 2 | The JB generation (2006–2011) averaged 9.65 seconds to 60 mph across 2 tests, led by the 2006 Rio5 SX 5-door Hatchback at 9.40 seconds. Output was 110 hp across 1.6L I-4 configurations. |
| DC | 2000–2005 | 10.03s | 9.30s — 2001 Sedan | 4 | The DC generation (2000–2005) averaged 10.03 seconds to 60 mph across 4 tests, led by the 2001 Sedan at 9.30 seconds. Output ranged from 96 to 104 hp across 1.5L I-4, 1.6L I-4 configurations. |
YB/SC
2018–2023
Avg 0–60
8.68s
Fastest
8.50s
Tests
5
2018 EX 5-door Hatchback
The YB/SC generation (2018–2023) averaged 8.68 seconds to 60 mph across 5 tests, led by the 2018 EX 5-door Hatchback at 8.50 seconds. Output ranged from 120 to 130 hp across 1.6L I-4 configurations.
UB
2012–2017
Avg 0–60
8.62s
Fastest
7.90s
Tests
6
2012 LX 5-door Hatchback
The UB generation (2012–2017) averaged 8.62 seconds to 60 mph across 6 tests, led by the 2012 LX 5-door Hatchback at 7.90 seconds. Output was 138 hp across 1.6L I-4 configurations.
JB
2006–2011
Avg 0–60
9.65s
Fastest
9.40s
Tests
2
2006 Rio5 SX 5-door Hatchback
The JB generation (2006–2011) averaged 9.65 seconds to 60 mph across 2 tests, led by the 2006 Rio5 SX 5-door Hatchback at 9.40 seconds. Output was 110 hp across 1.6L I-4 configurations.
DC
2000–2005
Avg 0–60
10.03s
Fastest
9.30s
Tests
4
2001 Sedan
The DC generation (2000–2005) averaged 10.03 seconds to 60 mph across 4 tests, led by the 2001 Sedan at 9.30 seconds. Output ranged from 96 to 104 hp across 1.5L I-4, 1.6L I-4 configurations.
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Kia Rio 0–60 Times by Year and Trim
17 tests · 7 years
▾
2021 Kia Rio
2 verified runs
Avg 0–60
8.60
sec
Avg ¼ Mile
16.75
sec
Recorded Tests
2
#05
2021 Kia Rio S 5-door Hatchback
8.60sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
16.80s
¼ mi @ 83.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 8.60 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 16.80 sec
- Trap Speed
- 83.0 mph
- Engine
- 1.6L I-4
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Transmission
- CVT
- Horsepower
- 120 hp
- Torque
- 112 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 2,767 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 23.1 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 33 C / 41 H / 32 Obs
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Hatchback
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Car and Driver
- Overall Rank
- #5 of 17
#06
2021 Kia Rio S 5-door Hatchback
8.60sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
16.70s
¼ mi @ 83.9 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 8.60 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 16.70 sec
- Trap Speed
- 83.9 mph
- Engine
- 1.6L I-4
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Transmission
- CVT
- Horsepower
- 120 hp
- Torque
- 112 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 2,767 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 23.1 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 33 C / 41 H
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Hatchback
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Motor Trend
- Overall Rank
- #6 of 17
How we verify Kia Rio performance data
We include only independently published road-test results from automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed 0–60 times are excluded unless clearly labeled. When multiple publications test the same Kia Rio trim, each run is listed separately — weather, tires, surface, rollout, and instrumentation all affect results.
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Kia Rio 0–60 and quarter-mile distribution
0–60 vs ¼ mile · lower-left is fasterEach dot is a recorded test run
0–60 →
¼ mile →
Fastest
Recorded run
Slowest
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Kia Rio performance FAQs
10 questions
The 2021 Kia Rio S 5-door Hatchback reaches 60 mph in 8.6 seconds in verified tests. Two runs match that figure, with quarter-mile times of 16.8 seconds at 83 mph and 16.7 seconds at 83.9 mph. Both tested cars used the 120-hp 1.6L four-cylinder and front-wheel drive.
The quickest Kia Rio on record is the 2012 LX 5-door Hatchback, which runs from 0 to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds. It also owns the model’s best quarter-mile result at 16.4 seconds with an 84.9-mph trap speed, making it the benchmark for outright Rio acceleration.
The fastest stock Kia Rio is also the overall fastest one on record: the 2012 LX 5-door Hatchback at 7.9 seconds from 0 to 60 mph. There are 17 total Rio tests and all 17 are production vehicles, so no modified run beats that factory-stock result.
The fourth-generation YB/SC Kia Rio, sold from 2018 to 2023, averages 8.68 seconds from 0 to 60 mph across 5 tests. Its quickest recorded run is 8.5 seconds, set by the 2018 EX 5-door Hatchback. Power output for this generation ranges from 120 to 130 horsepower.
The third-generation UB Kia Rio, sold from 2012 to 2017, is the quickest Rio generation overall. Across 6 tests, it averages 8.62 seconds from 0 to 60 mph, and its best result is 7.9 seconds by the 2012 LX 5-door Hatchback. All recorded UB examples are naturally aspirated gasoline models.
The second-generation JB Kia Rio, built from 2006 to 2011, averages 9.65 seconds from 0 to 60 mph across 2 tests. Its fastest recorded version is the 2006 Rio5 SX 5-door Hatchback at 9.4 seconds. Recorded output for this generation is 110 horsepower from a naturally aspirated gasoline setup.
The first-generation DC Kia Rio, sold from 2000 to 2005, averages 10.03 seconds from 0 to 60 mph over 4 tests. The quickest DC run is 9.3 seconds by the 2001 Sedan. Across this generation, recorded power ranges from 96 to 104 horsepower, all from naturally aspirated gasoline engines.
Across recorded tests, the Kia Rio SX 5-door Hatchback is quicker than the EX 5-door Hatchback. The SX averages 8.63 seconds to 60 mph with a best of 8.2 seconds, while the EX averages 8.82 seconds with a best of 8.5 seconds. Both trims are among the most-tested Rio variants.
The EX 5-door Hatchback has the better best-case result, reaching 60 mph in 8.5 seconds versus 8.6 seconds for the S 5-door Hatchback. However, the S averages 8.6 seconds across 2 tests, while the EX averages 8.82 seconds across 5 tests. The gap is small either way.
Across 17 Kia Rio tests, the average quarter-mile time is 16.95 seconds at 82.2 mph. The quickest Rio quarter-mile run on record is 16.4 seconds at 84.9 mph by the 2012 LX 5-door Hatchback. For the current 2021 Rio S 5-door Hatchback, quarter-mile results are 16.7 and 16.8 seconds.
Sources
Car and Driver
Motor Trend
Motor Week
0–60 and quarter-mile times vary with driver, weather, tire temperature, and wear. We collect every verified run we can find — so you see the range of what a Kia Rio can do, not a single marketing claim.
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