Verdict
The Kia Rio costs RM75,381, undercutting the RM88,000 Toyota Yaris by RM12,619, while bringing a 325-litre boot, 45-litre tank and 2,580 mm wheelbase. The Yaris answers with the stronger 105 hp/150 Nm 1.5-litre engine against the Rio’s 99 hp/133 Nm 1.4, plus a CVT, 360-degree camera and active safety kit. For a Malaysian buyer, the Yaris’ extra RM12,619 buys meaningful driver assistance and better infotainment; the Rio makes the sharper case if luggage room, a sunroof and lower annual road tax matter more.
Pick the Kia Rio if you want to save RM12,619, carry 39 litres more boot space and have a sunroof plus telescopic steering adjustment.
Pick the Toyota Yaris if you want 105 hp and 150 Nm, pre-collision braking, blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Rio RM75,381; Toyota Yaris RM88,000.
- Engine output: Kia Rio 99 hp and 133 Nm from 1,368 cc; Toyota Yaris 105 hp and 150 Nm from 1,496 cc.
- Transmission: Kia Rio 4-speed conventional automatic; Toyota Yaris CVT with 7-speed Sports Sequential Shift.
- Boot space: Kia Rio 325 litres; Toyota Yaris 286 litres.
- Safety assistance: Kia Rio has no autonomous braking or blind-spot system; Toyota Yaris has pre-collision braking and blind-spot monitoring.
- Infotainment: Kia Rio 5-inch screen; Toyota Yaris 9.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Rio
- RM12,619 lower purchase price
- 325-litre boot and 45-litre fuel tank
- Sunroof, auto wipers and telescopic steering
- 99 hp and 133 Nm trail the Yaris’ 105 hp and 150 Nm
- No pre-collision braking, collision warning or blind-spot monitoring
- 5-inch screen lacks the Yaris’ 9.0-inch wireless smartphone integration
Yaris
- 105 hp, 150 Nm 1.5-litre engine and CVT
- Pre-collision braking, collision warning and blind-spot monitoring
- 9.0-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and 360-degree camera
- Costs RM12,619 more
- 286-litre boot is 39 litres smaller
- No sunroof, auto wipers or telescopic steering adjustment
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM75,381✓ | RM88,000 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM70✓ | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,368 cc | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | 99 hp | 105 hp✓ |
| Torque | 133 Nm | 150 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 72 mm | 72 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 4-Speed Automatic | CVT with 7 Speed Sports Sequential Shift |
| Gears | 4 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,065 mm | 4,140 mm |
| Width | 1,725 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Height | 1,460 mm | 1,475 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,580 mm | 2,550 mm |
| Weight | 1,162 kg | 1,140 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 42 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 325 litres✓ | 286 litres |
| Front Tyre | 205/45R17 | 195/50R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/45R17 | 195/50R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 16" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Continental ContiSportContact 5 | Toyo Proxes R50 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 16" Two-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 16" Two-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 5" Floating Screen with 6 Speakers | 9.0" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Rio & Yaris for sale
Rio vs Yaris FAQ
Is the Kia Rio or Toyota Yaris better?
The Toyota Yaris is the better-equipped choice, with 105 hp, 150 Nm, pre-collision braking, blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera. Choose the Kia Rio instead if its RM12,619 saving and 325-litre boot are the priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Rio costs RM75,381 and the Toyota Yaris costs RM88,000, so the Yaris costs RM12,619 more. Its annual road tax is also RM90 versus RM70 for the Rio.
Which has the larger boot, Kia Rio or Toyota Yaris?
The Kia Rio has the larger boot at 325 litres, compared with 286 litres in the Toyota Yaris. The Rio also has a 45-litre fuel tank, three litres larger than the Yaris’ 42 litres.