Kia Rio Review

2008 Kia Rio LX Sedan Shown

The Kia Rio is the least expensive model offered by a company that's one of the most budget-oriented brands in the business. One shouldn't let this seemingly bottom-rung status get in the way of taking a look at the Korean-built Rio, however. The car has always represented an affordable way to get a new set of wheels, and the second-generation model, in particular, is pleasant to drive, loaded with features and surprisingly comfortable.

The Kia Rio is offered in both sedan and five-door hatchback body styles. During its first generation, the hatchback was shaped more like a wagon and was known as the Rio Cinco. In the current generation, however, it has been renamed the Kia Rio5. The sedan and hatchback models have identical mechanicals and interior components, though the hatchback offers significantly more utility. The Rio's four-cylinder engines have always emphasized frugality over performance, which is appropriate for this class of car.

Although the first Rio was cheap in pretty much every sense of the word, the current Kia Rio is vastly improved, with numerous unexpected safety and convenience features, including standard seat-mounted side and headliner-mounted side curtain airbags. Truly, the Rio and Rio5 represent a strong value in a segment of the market where value really counts. And they offer a great warranty to boot.

Current Kia Rio

Today's Kia Rio sedan was completely redesigned for the 2006 model year. It's offered in two trim levels: the modestly equipped base model and the nicer LX, which adds comfort features such as a CD player, air-conditioning, power steering and an available automatic transmission. The Rio5 was initially offered only in upscale SX trim, which starts where the LX sedan leaves off and adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a rear-wiper/washer. For 2008, the Rio5 was also offered in LX trim. LX and SX buyers can get power windows, locks and mirrors as part of the option package. The interiors of each are highlighted by a low dashboard rendered in a pleasant mix of materials. And while no one will mistake the Rio's interior for that of a luxury car, its comfortable front seats, pleasant mix of materials and generous cargo capacity take most of the pain out of living with an economy car.

Also helping matters is the Kia Rio's decent engine, a 110-horsepower four-cylinder that moves the Rio around smartly, if not enthusiastically. Sticking with the five-speed manual helps the driver exact the most performance from the motor as well as the best city fuel economy, according to the EPA. However, the best highway fuel economy is achieved with the optional four-speed automatic. Handling is respectable, too.

The Rio sedan and Rio5 are particularly well-suited to city life, thanks to smart styling as well as something even smarter: matte black rub strips on the bumpers and doors that mask wounds inflicted by errant parkers and careless door openers. The Rio5 SX is the best dressed, thanks to 15-inch alloy wheels (in place of the sedan's standard 14-inchers), foglights and a rear spoiler. Antilock brakes are available as an option on the LX sedan and the Rio5 SX, and we recommend this, as the ABS package also brings rear disc brakes that replace the standard rear drums. As with all Kias, the Rio is covered by an impressive basic and drivetrain warranty.

Past Kia Rio Models

The first-generation Kia Rio was introduced for the 2001 model year. The sedan came first and Kia followed up with the Rio Cinco hatchback for 2002. Both were among the least expensive cars in their classes. Unfortunately, the trade-off was limited feature content and a thoroughly unpleasant driving experience.

Based on reviews by our editors and Rio owners, the car delivered what its price promised -- simple, affordable transportation, but little more. Complaints centered on its noisy, unrefined engine, poorly controlled ride and shoddy build quality. Although the Rio's low residual value makes it convincingly cheap on the used market, this is not a car we can recommend. If you are determined to buy a used Kia Rio, it's best to go with a 2003 or newer model, as these benefited from a more powerful engine (104 hp versus 96), an improved suspension and a higher-quality interior.

SELECT A SPECIFIC KIA RIO MODEL YEAR*

* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.