Best Tires For Kia Rio

Table of Contents

‍2023 Kia Rio Overview

The Kia Rio is a subcompact built by Kia Motor Company (South Korea) from 1999 - present. Now in its fourth generation, the 2023 Rio comes in two sedan trim levels, LX and S. (There is also a five-door hatchback called the Rio 5 offered). All models are powered by a 1.6L four-cylinder engine producing 120 hp and 112 lb-ft of torque. The 2023 Kia Rio is considered to be a reliable subcompact and a good value for the amenities that it offers. The car won a “2023 Best Value for New Cars” award from Cars.com.

Kia has recently announced that it is redesigning the 2024 model, and it is expected to be introduced in October of 2023. While it is still being determined what markets will have access to the new sub-compact, most analysts believe that Kia plans to offer it only in select markets and not worldwide as previous generations have been.

The tire size for the Kia Rio is P185/65R15 for both the LX and S sedan models and the Rio 5 hatchback.

Model	Tire Size	Speed Rating	PsI (Front/Rear)
2023 Kia Rio LX	P185/65R15	H	33/33
2023 Kia Rio S	P185/65R15	H	33/33
2023 Rio 5	P185/65R15	H	33/33

What Are The Best Tires For The 2023 Kia Rio?

Many manufacturers produce quality tires for the 2023 Kia Rio. We have listed some of our favorites below based on price, consumer ratings, and customer popularity. Before purchasing tires, customers should be aware of specials or discounts their service center offers. This extra step will help you pay the right amount for your tires.

Bridgestone Weatherpeak

The Bridgestone Weatherpeak is one of the highest-rated all-season tires developed for owners who need a great tire that they can install and not worry about. The Weatherpeak performs under all kinds of road conditions and has excellent treadwear, temp, and traction ratings. It is even rated with the three mountain snowflake rating for use in severe snow or ice climates, even though it is not specifically a winter tire.

The tire’s compound is designed to resist hydroplaning and provide additional grip for steering and cornering control. The tread pattern has angled center sipes that lead to a feathered outer wall, all pushing water and moisture away from the center contact point. The tire's internal construction consists of a single-ply casting reinforced by two steel belts and an effective nylon layer for additional stability and performance.

Bridgestone has been around for some time (a Japanese company), but in 1983, they acquired a plant from Firestone and began producing tires inside the US. They have multiple manufacturing plants and facilities across the nation.

The consumer ratings for this tire are very high. The tire has a 700 rating for treadwear and “A” ratings for both temperature and traction by the UTQG (Uniform Tire Quality Grading) system employed by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). The tires are expensive, but if you can afford them, they are the best for the Kia Rio.

Warranty

Treadwear - 5 years/70k miles
Uniform Warranty - First 2/32nds of tread
Roadside Assistance - none
Workmanship/Materials - 5 years/free replacement for first three years, then prorated

Pros

USA Company
Good tread pattern provides excellent road contact
High review marks
Free Replacement in three years

Cons

Expensive
The warranty should be longer for the price

BF Goodrich Advantage Control

BFGoodrich is one of the oldest tire companies in America. Over the past 100+ years, they have built a reputation for building quality tires with excellent treadwear, traction, and superior ride comfort. The tread is angled in a zig-zag pattern which has been computer optimized to help provide clear contact with the road surface. This all-season tire is designed for use in all weather conditions. It has excellent ratings for hydroplane resistance, braking, and steering control. Combined with a 700 AA rating from the UTQG, and its ability to soften excess road noise, it is one of the best values for the price on the tire market today.

The tire has a 700 treadwear rating from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and an A temperature rating. Consumer Reports also recommends the tire. At a price of around $120, it is an excellent value.

Warranty

Treadwear - 6 years/75k miles
Uniform Warranty - First year or first 2/32nds of tread, then prorated
Road Hazard - none
Workmanship/Materials - Prorated after the first year or 2/32nds

Pros

Excellent hydroplaning resistance
Reputable brand
Excellent noise cancellation
Reasonable price.

Cons

Some reports on negative rolling resistance (fuel economy).

Vredestein HiTrac All Season

This Vredestein HiTrac could be the right tire if you want rubber shoes with good all-season control. The rubber compound uses special polymers to give the tire a quiet, soft feel. The center section has an arrowed sipe pattern that provides good surface contact and effective traction for gripping the road. The HiTracs are very capable on snowy and wet roads, with high hydroplaning marks.

Vredestein uses a two-ply casing with dual steel belts and a polyamide layer for extra support.

The compound provides superior steering control, and the deep sipes in the sidewalls help cornering ability even at higher speeds.

Vredestein is a company in the Netherlands that imports tires into the US. The tire has an excellent 700 AA UTQG rating, and Consumer Reports likes them. (After testing and rating the tire with a 69 score and putting them on the “recommended” list).

Warranty

Treadwear - 6 years/70k miles
Uniform Warranty - 1 year/first 2/32nds of tread
Roadside Assistance - 1 year - first 2/32nds
Workmanship/Materials - 8 years/free replacement first year or first 2/32nds

Pros

Snow capable
Less than $150 each

Cons

Not USA made

Yokohama Avid Ascend LX

This eco-friendly tire fits the bill for buyers who like to leave as small a carbon footprint as possible. Designed as a part of the BluEarth focus, the Yokohama Avid Ascend LX is designed to provide performance and stability while giving a nod to the planet’s ecology. The Avid Ascend is a perfect example of how companies with forward-thinking can fashion products that are both great quality and beneficial for the environment.

The tire uses specially designed polymers to provide excellent treadwear, while the oversized center tread pattern helps with road noise and performance. The wider footprint helps the tire grip the road surface and increases its braking and stopping power, and the stiffer sidewalls aid in cornering. Internally, a single casing is supported by two steel belts and a nylon reinforcing layer. The tire is an all-season, meaning it will work in all weather conditions. (Consumer Reports did ding it for ice braking, so if you live in that weather, you should think about a bonafide winter tire).

‍The tire has an 800 AA rating for treadwear, temperature control, and traction in the UTQG rating system. Consumer Reports rated it as a 62, and it is one of their recommended tires. The best thing about the Yokohama is the warranty which stretches to 85k miles for the H speed-rated Rio. The tire is produced in the company’s plant in Salem, Virginia.

Warranty

Treadwear - 5 years/85k miles
Uniform Warranty - First 2/32nds of tread
Road Hazard - none
Workmanship/Materials - 5 years, then prorated after the first year or 2/32nds

Pros

Environmentally friendly tire
Built-in the USA
Excellent treadwear

Cons

Bad marks for ice braking

Continental TrueContact Tour

This Continental TrueContact Tour is a highly-rated tire with temperature-active polymers to help with treadwear and fuel efficiency. The tire has an 800 AA rating from the UTQG system, and the TrueContact works in all weather conditions as an all-season. The deep side sipes offer great biting action in cornering and steering situations, and the uniform tread minimizes treadwear as the tires are rotated through their lifetime.

The internal construction of the tire centers on a singly ply casing supported by dual steel belts and a spirally wound nylon layer to add to the unit's stability. Continental has a strong European presence (company headquarters are in Hanover, Germany). The Contact series of tires are made in the United States for the North American market.

The TruContact is rated as a Consumer Reports recommended tire with a 63 overall rating.

Warranty

Treadwear - 6 years/80k miles
Uniform Warranty - First year or first 2/32nds of tread
Road Hazard - 1 year/first 2/32nds
Workmanship/Materials - 6 years/Prorated after the first 2/32nds

Pros

Excellent treadwear rating
USA made
Effective ride quality

Cons

Dinged for high rolling resistance.

Michelin Defender

Michelin has a wonderful reputation for building excellent tires, and the Defender adds to its tire legacy. While Michelins are usually expensive, this Michelin is more reasonably priced ($150 each), and with an 820 treadwear rating, it should last long enough to provide good value.

The Michelin Defender has a staggered tread pattern that interlocks to promote rigidity. The sipes channel moisture away from the main portion of the tread to help with surface contact. The new generation compound uses a high-silica formula to help wet weather traction. The Michelin is adaptable to all weather conditions.

Michelin has a 67 rating from Consumer Reports. The Defender has been reviewed by the NHTSA and suffered a lower rating than other all-season tires in temperature, but it did score higher in treadwear. The tire is made in various locations in the US and other countries, making Michelin the leading tire purveyor globally.

Warranty

Treadwear - 6 years/80k miles
Road hazard - none
Uniform Warranty - 1 year/first 2/32nds of tread
Workmanship/Materials - 6 years/free replacement first-year

Pros

It has excellent road quality
Great reputation for quality tires

Cons

Lower rating for temperature - B rating

Kumho Solus TA31

The Kumho Solus TA31 is the original equipment tire that comes with the Rio and continues Kuhmo’s long-standing relationship with Hyundai and Kia. The TA31 is an all-season tire designed as an all-year-round tire with good ride control and quality. The tread has uniform angled construction built for effective water displacement. The outer wall is solid enough for superior cornering ability and effective stopping power. The three center ribs help to maintain above-average road surface contact, and the specially designed polymers and silica help with road grip and minimize road noise.

Kumho brand tires tend to wear out faster than other all-season tires, but this doesn’t mean that the tire is something you shouldn’t purchase. Kuhmo has a track record for dependability, and the price is usually less than other more expensive all-seasons like Michelin. The South Korean tire maker has also become the OE supplier for BMW, Audi, VW, and other manufacturers. The TA31 is a popular choice on Amazon as a budget-friendly tire.

Warranty

Treadwear - 60k miles
Uniform Warranty - 1 year/first 2/32nds of tread
Roadside assistance - none

Pros

Excellent treadwear
Quiet ride
Budget-friendly tires
Reasonably priced tire

Cons

Tread tends to wear quickly.

About The Author

Charles Redding

I've spent many years selling cars, working with auto detailers, mechanics, dealership service teams, quoting and researching car insurance, modding my own cars, and much more.