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.