2002 Kia Rio: Road Test
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2002 Kia Rio ▼
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- MSRP: $9,095 -$11,260
- Invoice: $8,450 -$10,445
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Our road test for the 2002 Kia Rio includes a full evaluation of the 2002 Kia Rio from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2002 Kia Rio, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2002 Kia Rio help you decide if a 2002 Kia Rio is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Base sdn, man. | Base sdn, auto. | Cinco wgn, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 3.7 |
Copes adequately with city/suburban traffic, but struggles to reach highway speed even at full throttle. Automatic transmission hunts annoyingly between gears to maintain a pace on even moderate grades. Test car did 0-60 mph in a slow 11.5 sec with automatic transmission. Feels little faster with manual.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Base sdn, man. | Base sdn, auto. | Cinco wgn, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 7 | 6 | 6.7 |
Unimpressive, given light weight and mediocre power. Test Rios averaged 25.2 mpg with automatic transmission, 22.9 with manual.
RIDE QUALITY
| Base sdn, man. | Base sdn, auto. | Cinco wgn, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 4.1 |
For 2002, 14-inch wheels and tires replace 13s as standard, to the benefit of ride. Around town, Rio is absorbent enough not to jar on broken and patchy surfaces. It's choppy on scalloped freeways, though with mild bounce over only the largest moguls and dips.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Base sdn, man. | Base sdn, auto. | Cinco wgn, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 4.9 |
Troublingly rubbery steering feel and lots of body lean and front-end plowing in turns. Poor directional stability at highway speeds with any crosswind. Simulated emergency stops were no problem with and without optional ABS.
QUIETNESS
| Base sdn, man. | Base sdn, auto. | Cinco wgn, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 3.6 |
Engine moans and drones in hard acceleration or when cruising above 55 mph or so. Wind rush tolerably low, but tires sing a noisy tune even on fairly smooth pavement.
CONTROLS
| Base sdn, man. | Base sdn, auto. | Cinco wgn, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5.6 |
Uninspired design, but logical and convenient save smallish audio controls. Sedan lacks tachometer and release for trunklid, but intermittent wipers are standard. Cabin materials slightly better than entry-level pricing would suggest. A test sedan's rear parcel shelf vibrated loudly when a rear door or the trunk lid was slammed.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Base sdn, man. | Base sdn, auto. | Cinco wgn, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 4.4 |
Good head room because seats are low to floor. Height-adjustable driver seat standard, though optional tilt wheel doesn't lift that high and larger drivers may feel confined. Standard fold-down driver armrest a nice touch. Aft visibility poor on both body styles.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| Base sdn, man. | Base sdn, auto. | Cinco wgn, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 3 | 3.2 |
Very tight for adult legs unless front passengers move well up; even then, minimal toe space. Wagon seems to have slightly more head room than the sedan's bare minimum. No rear cupholders. Entry/exit tight because doors have narrow bottoms and don't open wide.
CARGO ROOM
| Base sdn, man. | Base sdn, auto. | Cinco wgn, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 6 | 3.3 |
Sedan trunk space good for such a small car, but opening won't swallow large boxes, and no fold-down rear seatback offered. Wagon has split folding rear seat, roomy cargo hold, and convenient pull-down tailgate handle, but high floor lip hinders easy loading.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| Base sdn, man. | Base sdn, auto. | Cinco wgn, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 2 | 4.7 |
Rio offers "cheap wheels" economy and a generous warranty, but Kia's resale values are low, partly in recognition of its unproven record of reliability and low ratings on independent surveys of customer satisfaction. Our test Rios were optioned to $11,400 or more, which buys a larger, fancier used car in good condition--or a more-desirable Toyota Echo.
Total Score
| Base sdn, man. | Base sdn, auto. | Cinco wgn, auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 32 | 36 | 44.2 |
Total Score: 33
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