The Kia Rio Could Be On The Chopping Block After 2022MY

If you know the Kia Rio exists, pat yourself on the back as most people have apparently forgotten about it.

While sales have remained relatively steady over the past few years, Kia has only been selling an average of 23,954 units annually in America since 2018. That’s not great and it’s a sizable decline from the 40,742 units that were sold in 2013.

Given those low numbers, it’s possible the Rio could be living on borrowed time. While nothing is official, Automotive News says the model will likely be dropped after the 2022 model year.

Also Read: 2021 Kia Rio Arrives In America With Updated Looks And New Tech

If the subcompact does get the axe, it would mean the Forte would become Kia’s entry-level model in the United States. It starts at $17,890, which is only $1,840 more than the Rio sedan and $900 more than the Rio hatchback.

Since the Rio is pretty forgettable, we’ll remind you it received a facelift for 2021 and features a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 120 hp (89 kW / 121 PS) and 112 lb-ft (152 Nm) of torque. It’s connected to a continuously variable transmission, which enables the model to return an EPA-estimated 33 mpg city, 41 mpg highway and 36 mpg combined.

While only time will tell if the Rio will be dropped, it wouldn’t be surprising as a number of automakers are reducing their sedan and hatchback lineups. Toyota recently announced plans to phase out the Avalon, while Volkswagen has dropped the standard Golf in America. GM and Ford have also significantly reduced their car lineups, while others have been dropping slow selling models.