2022 Chevrolet Spark vs. 2022 Kia Rio Comparison

The 2022 Chevrolet Spark and the 2022 Kia Rio pack plenty of function and value into a small package. Here’s how they stack up.

2022 Chevrolet Spark

2022 Chevrolet Spark Starting Price: $13,600 | Price yours or View listings near you

Above Average: Very affordable; good fuel economy; easy to park; Apple CarPlay/Android Auto are standard equipment.

Below Average: Base model’s hand-cranked windows; engine is underpowered; must upgrade to top trim to access driver assist features.

Consensus: The 2022 Chevrolet Spark is a subcompact hatchback that puts an emphasis on value and affordability, making it one of the least expensive new cars available.

2022 Kia Rio

2022 Kia Rio Starting Price: $16,150 | Price yours or View listings near you

Above Average: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard; great gas mileage; comfortable; affordable; available as sedan or hatchback (Rio 5-Door).

Below Average: No manual transmission offered; not many standard safety tech features; trunk and back seats are small.

Consensus: The 2022 Kia Rio is a subcompact sedan (or hatch, in Rio 5-Door guise) that’s high on practicality and efficiency and low on cost.

Spark vs. Rio: It’s a Small World

Chevrolet Spark

The 2022 Chevrolet Spark is the brand’s smallest vehicle currently sold in the U.S., and thanks to its size and sometimes rudimentary equipment, it’s one of the least expensive cars on sale in America, too.

Even though the base model comes with hand-cranked windows, manual door locks, and a manual transmission, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard equipment.

At the heart of the 2022 Spark is a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine rated for 98 horsepower and 94 lb-ft of torque. A 5-speed manual transmission is the standard accompaniment, but a two-step CVT transmission is available. The 2022 Chevrolet Spark’s EPA fuel economy rating varies from as high as 33 mpg combined (30 city/38 hwy) when equipped with the CVT to as low as 32 mpg combined (29 city/37 hwy) when equipped with the 5-speed manual transmission.

The 2022 Chevy Spark is available in four trims: LS, 1LT, ACTIV, and 2LT. The LS features a 7-inch touchscreen, while 1LT brings 15-inch alloy wheels, power windows and locks, keyless entry and cruise control, steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, 6-speaker audio system, LED daytime running lights, and more.

The ACTIV offers a raised suspension and more rugged styling plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel, roof rails, black bumpers, halogen headlamps with integrated DRLs, and more. The range-topping 2LT trim boasts leatherette seating, leather-wrapped steering wheel, keyless entry and pushbutton start, rear parking assist, and chrome door handles.

Despite its small dimensions, the 2022 Spark still manages to fit 11.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, or 27.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and totals 83 cubic feet of passenger volume.

Kia Rio

The 2022 Kia Rio subcompact sedan and Rio 5-Door subcompact hatchback employ a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive. The engine is rated for 120 horsepower and 112 lb-ft of torque, and paired with the standard iCVT transmission, nets 36 mpg (33 city/41 hwy) combined. The iCVT transmission simulates an 8-speed automatic.

Just two trim lines are offered with the 2022 Kia Rio starting at the base with the LX at $16,150 and ending at the S, which starts at $16,790. The Rio 5-Door (hatchback) is only available in S trim. The base Rio LX comes with 15-inch steel wheels, 3.5-inch LCD segment instrument panel display, trip computer, 6-way adjustable driver’s seat, 8-inch touchscreen display with rear camera, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Upgrading to the Rio S adds a front center armrest, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, adjustable rear headrests, rear USB charging, and the option to upgrade to automatic climate control, an 8-inch head unit with UVO telematics, and satellite radio.

The Kia Rio sedan offers 89.9 cubic feet of total passenger space, plus 13.7 cubic feet in the trunk. The 2022 Rio 5-Door, on the other hand, offers 90.5 cubic feet of total passenger space, plus 17.4 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, or 32.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat.

Similarities

Price; seating space; 4-cylinder engines.

Chevrolet Spark Advantages

Base price; nearly the same seating space despite much smaller overall size.

Kia Rio Benefits

More cargo space, fuel economy; hatchback and sedan body styles; long warranty.

Which One is Right for Me?

The 2022 Chevrolet Spark is one of the least expensive cars on the U.S. market today, but still offers core technology features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.

The 2022 Kia Rio is a no-frills subcompact sedan or hatchback that still covers the necessary tech bases with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Ready to buy a Chevrolet Spark or Kia Rio? Shop for one on sale now near you

Keyword: 2022 Chevrolet Spark vs. 2022 Kia Rio Comparison