2001-2005 Kia Rio: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 2001-2005 Kia Rio and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Fuel economy
Cons
- Acceleration
- Rear-seat entry/exit
- Rear-seat room (sedan)
Vehicle Highlights
For 2001, Kia introduced a new front-drive subcompact sedan, smaller and less expensive than the Sephia and Spectra. In fact, the entry-level Rio was billed as one of the lowest-priced cars sold in the U.S., starting at just $8585. Derived from the 1995-97 Ford Aspire hatchback that had been designed and built by Kia, the Rio had new four-door sedan styling and updated powertrains. Sole engine was a 1.5-liter twincam four-cylinder, driving either a manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic. Standard equipment included a rear-window defroster, center console, and full cloth interior trim. Antilock braking was optional. Air conditioning, a rear spoiler and alloy wheels also were options. An "Upgrade Package" added power steering with a tilt wheel, full wheel covers, body-color side moldings, and visor vanity mirrors. Kia's new Long Haul Warranty was similar to Hyundai's: 5-year/60,000-mile basic, 10/100,000 powertrain, 5/100,000 rust, and 5/unlimited-mileage roadside assistance. Hyundai was Kia's corporate parent in South Korea. Competitors included the similarly budget-priced Daewoo Lanos and Hyundai Accent, as well as the Toyota Echo, Nissan Sentra, Ford Focus, and Honda Civic.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Kia Rio sedan w/automatictransmission Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 2 | |
| Fuel Economy | 7 | |
| Ride Quality | 4 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 3 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 2 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 1 | |
| Total Score: | 32 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 2001-2005 Kia Rio. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 2001-2005 Kia Rio.
Year to Year Changes
2002 Kia Rio:
For 2002, 14-inch wheels replaced the original 13s as standard fare. More notable, Kia launched another body style. In 2002, the Rio came in both sedan and wagon form, sharing the four-cylinder engine and manual or optional automatic transmission. Called the Cinco, the wagon included power steering and a tilt steering wheel. Both items were included with the sedan's upgrade package. ABS and air conditioning were optional. Side airbags and power windows were unavailable.
2003 Kia Rio:
Freshened styling and a bigger engine marked the 2003 Rios. Kia's mini-sized models also got a revised interior, chassis modifications, and more standard and optional features. The new 1.6-liter four-cylinder produced 105 horsepower (9 more than before). Power windows were newly available, and power locks were optional. New standard features included rear-seat heater ducts, cupholders in front-door map pockets, and a CD player for the Cinco wagon. New options included fog lights and a rear spoiler for the Cinco. Engine mounts, the exhaust system and steering system were modified to reduce noise and vibration. Suspension alterations improved ride comfort, while larger front brakes boosted stopping power. Side airbags were still not offered.
2004 Kia Rio:
The Rio's wagon version got standard alloy wheels in 2004.
2005 Kia Rio:
Kia's Rio is unchanged for 2005.
Our road test for the 2001-2005 Kia Rio includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 2001-2005 Kia Rio and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 2001-2005 Kia Rio is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Rios cope adequately with city/suburban traffic, but struggle to reach highway speed, even at full throttle. The automatic transmission hunts annoyingly between gears, to maintain a pace on even moderate grades. One test car took a slow 11.5 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph, with an automatic transmission. The Rio feels little faster with manual shift, but the automatic wagon is more sluggish than the sedan. Fuel economy is unimpressive, given the car's light weight and mediocre power. Test Rios have averaged 25.2 mpg with an automatic transmission, 22.9 mpg with manual. Ride quality benefited from the switch to 14-inch tires for 2002. Around town, the Rio's suspension is absorbent enough to avoid jarring on broken and patchy surfaces. It's choppy on scalloped freeways, though mild bounce occurs over only the largest bumps and dips. Steering has a troublingly rubbery feel, and there's plenty of body lean and front-end plowing in turns. Poor directional stability at highway speeds occurs with any crosswind. Simulated emergency stops were no problem, with or without optional ABS. The engine moans and drones in hard acceleration, or when cruising above 55 mph or so. Wind rush is tolerably low, but tires are noisy even on fairly smooth pavement. Instruments and controls are part of an uninspired design, but logical and convenient, except for smallish audio controls. Sedans lack a tachometer and a trunklid release, but intermittent wipers have been standard. Cabin materials are slightly better than entry-level pricing would suggest. One test sedan's rear parcel shelf vibrated loudly when a rear door or the trunklid was slammed. Front-headroom is good, because seats are low to the floor. A height-adjustable driver's seat has been standard, though the optional tilt wheel does not lift that high and larger drivers may feel confined. A standard fold-down driver's armrest is a nice touch. Rearward visibility is poor on both body styles. Back seats are very tight for adult legs, unless front passengers move well ahead; even then, toe space is minimal. Wagons seem to have slightly more head room than the sedan's bare minimum. No rear cupholders are supplied. Entry/exit is tight because doors have narrow bottoms and do not open wide. Sedan trunk space is good for such a small car, but the opening won't swallow large boxes, and no fold-down rear seatback has been offered. Wagons have a split-folding rear seat, roomy cargo hold, and convenient pull-down tailgate handle, but a high floor lip hinders easy loading.
Value for the Money
Rios offer "cheap wheels" economy and a generous warranty, but Kia's resale values are low, partly due to its unproven record of reliability and low ratings on independent surveys of customer satisfaction. Toyota's Echo might be more desirable, but low resale values on a Kia translate to more appealing used-car prices.
Rios offer "cheap wheels" economy and a generous warranty, but Kia's resale values are low, partly due to its unproven record of reliability and low ratings on independent surveys of customer satisfaction. Toyota's Echo might be more desirable, but low resale values on a Kia translate to more appealing used-car prices.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Kia Rio sedan w/automatictransmission Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 2 | |
| Fuel Economy | 7 | |
| Ride Quality | 4 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 3 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 2 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 1 | |
| Total Score: | 32 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Kia Rio includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Kia Rio .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Dashboard lights:
The check-engine light may come on (and phantom trouble codes stored) due to a software glitch in the transmission-control module. A new module is available. (2001)
Dashboard lights:
The transmission-control module program had problems with the lockup-converter strategy on some early build vehicles that illuminate the check-engine light. A revised module corrects the problem. (2001)
Hood/trunk:
The fuse panel-cover tends to fall off whenever the hood latch is pulled. A revised cover is available. (2000)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $590 |
| Alternator | $310 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $1,540 |
| Brakes | $200 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $430 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $1,330 |
| Exhaust System | $445 |
| Radiator | $315 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $520 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $570 |
Our price chart for this generation Kia Rio details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 2005 | |||
| Rio Cinco | $5,300-6,000 | $4,600-5,200 | $2,200-2,500 |
| Rio sedan | $4,900-5,600 | $4,200-4,800 | $1,900-2,200 |
| 2004 | |||
| Rio Cinco | $4,100-4,800 | $3,400-3,900 | $1,400-1,600 |
| Rio sedan | $3,800-4,400 | $3,100-3,600 | $1,200-1,400 |
| 2003 | |||
| Rio Cinco | $3,300-3,900 | $2,600-3,100 | $800-1,000 |
| Rio sedan | $3,000-3,600 | $2,300-2,800 | $700-800 |
| 2002 | |||
| Rio Cinco | $2,700-3,300 | $2,000-2,500 | $600-700 |
| Rio sedan | $2,500-3,000 | $1,800-2,200 | $500-600 |
| 2001 | |||
| Rio sedan | $2,100-2,600 | $1,500-1,800 | $400-500 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Kia Rio include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door sedan | 4-door wagon |
| Wheelbase, in. | 94.9 | 94.9 |
| Overall Length, in. | 165.9 | 165.9 |
| Overall Width, in. | 65.9 | 65.9 |
| Overall Height, in. | 56.7 | 56.7 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2242 | 2436 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 9.2 | 44.3 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 11.9 | 11.9 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.4 | 39.4 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.8 | 42.8 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.6 | 37.6 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 32.7 | 32.7 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
In 2001-02, Rios used a 1.5-liter dual-overhead-cam four-cylinder engine that developed 96 horsepower, mated to a five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed automatic transmission. For 2003, a 1.6-liter engine replaced the 1.5-liter, producing 9 additional horsepower.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc I4 | 1.5 / 91 | 96 | 98 | 5-speed manual: 27/30 4-speed automatic: 25/30 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: -- |
| dohc I4 | 1.6 / 97 | 105 | 104 | 5-speed manual: 26/33 4-speed automatic: 25/32 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: South Korea
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Kia Rio include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 2002 Rio |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 2001-2005 Kia Rio directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
2001:
Fuel leaks could develop at fuel-distributor assembly. Dealers will inspect and replace affected assemblies.
2001:
Wheels on some cars could crack under long-term driving fatigue; wheel noise and vibration would worsen over time, and a severe crack could result in separation of the wheel.
2001-04 Rio and Cinco:
The fuel intake nipple may crack in certain situations and possible cause fuel leakage. Dealers will inspect and replace affected parts.
2001-04:
Fuel intake nipple of fuel distributor may be subject to fracture or cracking during removal of quick-connect coupling, or when force is accidentally applied during repairs; fuel leakage could result in fire.
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