Which is better: 2023 Kia Rio or 2025 Nissan Versa?

It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2023 Kia Rio vs 2025 Nissan Versa on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.

Which costs less: 2023 Kia Rio or 2025 Nissan Versa?

Based on starting MSRP, the 2023 Kia Rio starts lower at $16,750. Live Kia Rio listings start at $12,480. Live Nissan Versa listings start at $13,423.

Which has better startingMsrp: 2023 Kia Rio or 2025 Nissan Versa?

The 2023 Kia Rio leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (16,750).

Which has better combinedMpg: 2023 Kia Rio or 2025 Nissan Versa?

The 2023 Kia Rio leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (36).

Which has better horsepower: 2023 Kia Rio or 2025 Nissan Versa?

The 2025 Nissan Versa leads on horsepower in this comparison (122).

How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2023 Kia Rio vs 2025 Nissan Versa?

NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Kia Rio (Not Rated/5 NHTSA overall); Nissan Versa (5/5 NHTSA overall).

← Back to compare hub

Kia Rio vs Nissan Versa

Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.

Vehicles

2023 Kia Rio

Trim

Full research Shop inventory

2025 Nissan Versa

Trim

Full research Shop inventory

Overview

Spec	Kia RioLX	Nissan VersaS
Selected trim	LX	S
Body style	Sedan	Sedan
Drivetrain	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Fuel type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
Transmission	continuously variable-speed automatic	5-speed manual
Engine type	gas	gas
Model year	2023	2025

Pricing & market

Spec	Kia RioLX	Nissan VersaS
MSRP	$16,750 (best)	$17,390
Lowest listing price	$12,480 (best)	$13,423
Median listing price	$14,189 (best)	$17,498
Highest listing price	$15,897 (best)	$23,983
For sale now	2	13 (best)

Fuel economy & range

Spec	Kia RioLX	Nissan VersaS
Combined MPG	36 MPG (best)	30 MPG
City MPG	32 MPG (best)	27 MPG
Highway MPG	41 MPG (best)	35 MPG
Fuel tank	11.9 gal (best)	10.8 gal

Performance

Spec	Kia RioLX	Nissan VersaS
Horsepower	120 hp	122 hp (best)
Torque	112 lb-ft	114 lb-ft (best)
Engine size	1.6 L	1.6 L
Cylinders	I4	I4

Size & capability

Spec	Kia RioLX	Nissan VersaS
Seating	5 seats	5 seats
Doors	4	4
Cargo volume	13.7 cu ft	14.7 cu ft (best)
Payload	—	924 lbs (best)
Curb weight	2,767 lbs	2,599 lbs (best)
Ground clearance	5.5 in	6.8 in (best)
Wheelbase	101.6 in	103.1 in (best)
Length	172.6 in	177 in (best)
Width	67.9 in	68.5 in (best)
Height	57.1 in	57.3 in (best)

Safety & recalls

Spec	Kia RioLX	Nissan VersaS
NHTSA overall	Not Rated	5 / 5 ★ (best)
Frontal crash (driver)	Not Rated	4 / 5 ★ (best)
Frontal crash (passenger)	Not Rated	4 / 5 ★ (best)
Side crash (driver)	Not Rated	5 / 5 ★ (best)
Side crash (passenger)	Not Rated	5 / 5 ★ (best)
Side pole	Not Rated	5 / 5 ★ (best)
Rollover	Not Rated	4 / 5 ★ (best)
Open recalls (YMM scope)	None reported	None reported

Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.

Trim overview

All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.

Trim	Kia Rio	Nissan Versa
1	LX $16,750 MSRP(Currently comparing)	S $17,390 MSRP(Currently comparing)
2	S $17,390 MSRP	S $19,190 MSRP
3	S $17,690 MSRP	SV $20,690 MSRP
4	—	SR $21,390 MSRP

Live inventory

Kia Rio2 for sale

See all

Nissan Versa13 for sale

See all