While 31 MPG combined won’t break any records, it’s a significant achievement for the 2017 Kia Rio Eco 1.6L, showing Kia’s focus on getting the most miles from each gallon of regular unleaded. This isn’t a hybrid, and it doesn’t have a particularly aerodynamic shape, so that number shows Kia’s focused engineering on its small four-cylinder engine and carefully calibrated six-speed automatic transmission. The Rio Eco’s fuel economy tells you who it’s for: budget-conscious buyers who want affordability and practicality more than performance or flashy styling.

City and highway performance

The EPA’s breakdown gives a more detailed look at the 2017 Rio Eco’s fuel efficiency. The 27 MPG city rating reflects the stop-and-go of urban driving. It’s not exceptional, but it’s a respectable number given the Rio’s standard engine. But the 36 MPG highway rating is where the Rio Eco excels. It shows that the engine operates efficiently at steady speeds on the open road. This is attractive to commuters who spend a lot of time driving on highways. These real-world numbers show the Rio Eco’s strength and why it’s popular with drivers.

Annual fuel cost

Understanding the annual fuel cost shows the Rio Eco’s value. The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for this model at $1,400. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using the national average fuel price at the time of calculation. Gas prices change, which will affect what you spend, but this $1,400 estimate is a good benchmark for comparing the Rio Eco’s running costs to other cars. This amount is what it costs to fill your Rio for a year.

Real-world expectations

The EPA figures are a useful baseline, but real-world fuel economy changes based on your driving, the terrain, and the weather. Fast acceleration, hard braking, and skipping maintenance can hurt fuel efficiency. Drivers who accelerate smoothly, drive consistently, and keep up with service are more likely to get results close to the EPA estimates. Don’t expect to get 36 MPG if you mostly drive in hilly areas or often load the Rio with passengers and cargo. You’ll get better results if you drive consistently.

How it compares

The 2017 Kia Rio Eco’s fuel economy is competitive in its class. The 2017 Honda Fit with the CVT transmission achieved an EPA-estimated 31 MPG combined in its LX trim. A 2017 Toyota Yaris iA (later the Toyota Yaris) got 35 MPG combined, but it was designed mostly for efficiency. The Chevrolet Sonic with its 1.8L engine got about 29 MPG combined in sedan and hatchback forms in 2017. The Rio Eco balances fuel economy, providing respectable numbers while still being fun to drive, which is important to buyers. You can view RIO MPG across all years here. This comparison matters to buyers in this segment because fuel costs are often a big factor in their decision. They appreciate the balance of fuel saving and power that the Rio provides.

Tips to Maximize Efficiency

The six-speed automatic transmission in the 2017 Rio Eco is designed to save fuel. Don’t floor the accelerator; instead, accelerate smoothly and slowly to let the transmission shift efficiently. You’ll learn where the power and fuel economy peaks are over time.

Tire pressure is important for fuel efficiency. Regularly check the tire pressure and keep it at the recommended level (usually on a sticker inside the driver’s side door). Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, making the engine work harder and use more fuel. Properly inflated tires also improve handling and make your tires last longer.

Remove unnecessary weight from the car. Take out anything from the trunk or passenger area that you don’t need. Extra weight strains the engine, reducing fuel economy. Emptying unnecessary items from the cars is an easy way to improve the results from the tank.

Plan your trips. Combine errands into one trip to reduce cold starts, which use more fuel. Avoid peak traffic hours to reduce idling time. Plan routes that avoid stop-and-go traffic and maximize steady-speed driving.

Use cruise control on long highway drives. Cruise control maintains a constant speed, which can improve fuel economy compared to manually using the gas pedal. But use cruise control carefully in hilly areas, as it can cause unnecessary downshifts and lower efficiency. You can explore all Kia fuel economy data for more efficiency techniques.