2021 head-to-head · Compact Car
2021 Kia Rio vs Nissan Versa
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
On fuel costs these two are nearly tied. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, the most efficient 2021 Kia Rio (36 MPG) costs about $1,292 a year to fuel and the 2021 Nissan Versa (35 MPG) about $1,329.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Kia Rio
- Nissan Versa
Side by side
| Kia Rio | Nissan Versa | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,292 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,329 |
| 36 MPG | Combined efficiency | 35 MPG |
| 33 MPG | City | 32 MPG |
| 41 MPG | Highway | 40 MPG |
| 91 cu ft | Passenger volume | 90 cu ft |
| 17 cu ft | Cargo volume | 15 cu ft |
| 249 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 254 g/mi |
| 8/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 7/10 |
| 8/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 7/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 1.6L 4-cyl |
| CVT | Transmission | CVT |
| FWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Kia Rio vs Nissan Versa across model years
- Kia Rio
- Nissan Versa
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Kia Rio has more cargo space (17 vs. 15 cu ft).
Among 37 2021 compact cars, the Kia Rio ranks 7th and the Nissan Versa 9th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2021 Kia Rio or the 2021 Nissan Versa?
Measured by cost to drive, the Kia Rio. The Kia Rio is rated 36 MPG combined and the Nissan Versa 35 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2021 Kia Rio vs. the Nissan Versa per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,292 for the Kia Rio and $1,329 for the Nissan Versa.
Which has more cargo space?
The Kia Rio, with 17 cu ft of luggage volume versus 15 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
Kia Rio vs Nissan Versa in other years
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